CEDEFOP

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CEDEFOP

• ReferNet Country Report
• VET Policy Report
• Ireland 2008

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Background

• This report is one of a set of European
  country reports on progress on VET policy
  development.
• It has been produced as a contribution to
  CEDEFOPs third policy report which reviewed
  progress in VET within the EU towards the policy
  goals of the Copenhagen process.

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Policy Report

• The Report framework was agreed with the
  Directors General for Vocational Training (DGVT)
  in the member states in consultation with
  CEDEFOP.
• The national reports include the responses by
  DGVTs to a questionnaire from CEDEFOP.
• These responses highlighted the VET priorities in
  each country for 2006 2008.

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Policy Report Contd

• An analysis and summary of all the country policy
  reports was produced by CEDEFOP.
• This summary was presented to the Ministerial
  meeting held in Bordeaux during the French
  Presidency in November 2008.

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Report Structure

• The Report content is set out under the
  following headings
• National political and socio-economic context
  including a summary of VET policy priorities.
• Improving access to and equity in VET
• Lifelong learning through VET including improving
  guidance services, promoting VET pathways and
  validating non-formal and in-formal learning.

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Report Structure Contd

• Improving the quality of VET including the
  professional development of VET Teachers and
  Trainers.
• Strengthening the links between VET and the
  labour market including integration of learning
  with working.
• Governance and funding including promoting
  partnerships in VET policy making.

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Report Structure Contd

• EU tools and geographic mobility within VET
  including the facilitating the comparability of
  qualifications between different national,
  regional and sectoral contexts and promoting the
  mobility of learners.
• Development of VET statistics
• VET beyond 2010 including how policy issues could
  be addressed through national and EU policy
  co-operation.

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Report Structure ContdExample of Policy Measures

• Title of Policy/Measure
• Rationale
• Objectives
• Target groups (Level/Sector)
• Status of implementation
• Policy/Measure Operation and Delivery
• Level of operation
• An isolated measure or part of larger
  VET/employment/ social policy
• Key actors involved
• Assessment of policy/measure

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Examples of Policy Measures

• Improving access to and equity in VET
• - Back to Education Initiative (part-time
  options and community strands)
• The Youthreach Programme
• FÁS Strategy for the Training and Employment of
  Travellers 2007-2010
• Lifelong Learning through VET
• - Post Leaving Certificate Programme
• - The National Guidance Forum

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Examples of Policy Measures Contd

• Improving the quality of VET
• - The Teaching Council
• - FÁS Quality Assurance Strategy
• Strengthening links between VET and the Labour
  Market
• - SkillNets
• - Competency Development Programme
• - The Expert Group on Future Skill Needs

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Examples of Policy Measures Contd

• Governance and Funding
• - The National Qualifications Authority of
• Ireland
• - Strategic Innovation Fund
• EU Tools and Geographic Mobility within VET
• - The National Framework of Qualifications
• - The Further and Higher Education and
• Training Awards Councils FETAC/HETAC
• - Qualifications Recognition Ireland Service

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Examples of Policy Measures Contd

• Development of VET statistics
• - Education and Training Supply Bulletin

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VET Policy Priorities

• Continue to support VET provision for early
  school leavers
• Provide support for people with disabilities to
  facilitate access to mainstream VET provision
• Expand second chance and community-based
  continuing vocational education and training
• Provide lifelong learning routes to increase
  access, progression and transfer within VET

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VET Policy Priorities Contd

• Expand support for up-skilling adults in the
  workplace with low qualifications
• Provide skills training for the unemployed and
  those excluded from the labour market
• Continue on-going assessment of the future skill
  needs of the labour market
• Support adult literacy strategies and the
  language needs of migrants

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VET Policy Priorities Contd

• Facilitate more effective guidance and
  counselling services at all levels of VET
• Implement and invest in VET strategies to meet
  the needs of future technological change,
  competitiveness and innovation

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VET Beyond 2010

• Equity of access, relevance and quality assurance
  will continue to be cornerstones of Irish VET
  policy
• Acquisition of recognised qualifications and
  progression to higher education and training are
  key issues driving the lifelong learning agenda
  in Ireland
• The distinction between education and vocational
  training is likely to become more blurred
• Emerging developments with regard to the
  development of a European qualifications
  framework are important Ireland well placed to
  meet requirements of this framework.

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VET Beyond 2010 Contd

• The National Skills Strategy to 2020 identified
  the need for higher levels of qualifications at
  school-leaving and graduate level and a large
  amount of up-skilling of the workforce. It
  included the following priorities
• Better flexibility and linkages between education
  and training providers
• New approaches to funding mechanisms
• Importance of good career guidance services