International and EU Cooperation

International Cooperation

International economic integration has grown significantly in recent years and decades. Global business activities are increasingly important to companies and mobility of workers plays an ever more decisive role.

It is also important to enhance the attractiveness of vocational education and training especially in times of skilled labour shortage. Internationally well established activities for this purpose are WorldSkills and EuroSkills competitions.

The international EuroSkills and WorldSkills competitions take place alternating every two years. Via the AustrianSkills the Austrian competitors qualify for these. Young people have the opportunity to challenge other international participants.

Internship Abroad

The IFA Association (International Young Workers Exchange) assists apprentices, pupils and instructors in finding work placements abroad.

EU Cooperation

European cooperation in the field of vocational training is a key component for the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, also in connection with the further development of the dual training system in Austria and continuing vocational training. Regular exchange at the European level opens up new perspectives, facilitates dialogue on new (European and national) initiatives, and can contribute to solving common challenges.

European Alliance for Apprenticeships

The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) was launched in July 2020 by the European Commission as part of the Youth Employment Package (originally launched in 2013). The European Alliance for Apprenticeships brings together governments and key stakeholders with the aim of strengthening the quality, supply, and attractiveness of apprenticeships in Europe, while promoting apprentice mobility. These goals are advanced through national commitments and voluntary pledges from stakeholders. The Alliance serves as a platform that enables participants to share experiences and gain insights from best practices.

European Skills Agenda

On July 1, 2020, the European Commission presented the Communication on the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience.

This includes, among other things:

Mobilizing all partners for more and better education opportunities and public and private investment in industrial and skills ecosystems
Future-proof vocational education and training
Skills to support the green and digital transition

Recommendation of the Council of the European Union November 24, 2020

One of the 12 actions of the European Skills Agenda is the Council of the European Union's Recommen-dation of November 24, 2020, on vocational education and training for sustainable competitiveness, social equity, and resilience. Vocational education and training in the EU should be made more modern, attractive, and flexible for the digital age and ecological transition. Education systems should be flexi-bly adapted to dynamic changes in the labor market. A more learner-centered, flexible system with modular learning paths, blended learning, and recognition of the results of non-formal and informal learning should be promoted. The focus is on quality assurance, equal opportunities, and mobility.

In line with these reforms, centers of vocational excellence will be supported, bringing together local partners to build "skills ecosystems." Skills ecosystems will contribute to regional, economic, and social development, innovation, and strategies for smart specialization.

Osnabrück Declaration

Building on this, the "Osnabrück Declaration on Vocational Education and Training as a Driver for the Recovery and Just Transition to a Digital and Green Economy" contains structured recommendations for action for the years 2021-2025. In particular, it addresses the contribution of vocational education and training to the transition to sustainable and digital economies in the member states.

The basis are four pillars:

Resilience and excellence through high-quality, inclusive, and flexible vocational education and train-ing (in particular the 14 quality criteria defined in the Council Recommendation on a European Frame-work for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships of March 15, 2018)
Establishing a new culture of lifelong learning – the importance of continuing vocational training and digitalization
Sustainability – a green perspective in vocational education and training
European Vocational Training Area and International Vocational Education and Training

Activities at EU level:

ETF

The European Training Foundation (ETF) supports EU neighboring countries (e.g., Western Balkan and Mediterranean countries) in reforming their national vocational education and training systems.

CEDEFOP

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) is a European institution tasked with scientifically preparing the basis for political decisions in the field of vocational education and training and providing content-related support for development processes.

EU Working Group "Vocational Education and Training and the Green Transition"

The main objective of the working group is to facilitate technical exchange so that Member States can implement the principles and objectives of the Council Recommendation of 24 November 2020 on vocational education and training for sustainable competitiveness, social justice and resilience and the Osnabrück Declaration on vocational education and training as an enabler of the recovery and just transition to a digital and green economy, with particular attention to the green transition.

The European Education Area Working Group on VET and the Green Transition facilitates professional exchange in the field of sustainability and the “green transformation” in vocational education and training and makes contributions to support countries in implementing the principles and objectives of the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training and the Osnabrück Declaration in this area.

The activities are aligned with the European Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights, as well as with Action 6 of the European Skills Agenda and Priorities 2 and 5 of the Council Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training, looking towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030).

The output of the working group is the compendium "A Compendium of Inspiring Practices 2025."

ET-2020 - Vocational Education and Training Working Group

Based on the Council Conclusions of 12 May 2009 on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training ("ET 2020") (2009/C 119/02), the ET-2020 Vocational Education and Training Working Group supported Member States in addressing the key challenges of their education and training systems. Here you will find a summary of the key findings of the final report "Teachers and Trainers Matter - How to support them in high-performance apprenticeships and work-based learning. 12 policy pointers".

Further information

Contact

Vocational Training: lehre_berufsausbildung@bmwet.gv.at