VETNET

The VETNET opening session at Tuesday, the 13th of September at 2011 ECER Berlin conference:

Title: The Future of VET – Crises, Continuity or Changes? Facilitators: Marg Malloch, University of East London, England; Michael Gessler, University of Bremen, ITB

This colloquium discussed the issues of shaping the future of VET from the viewpoint of invited speakers and the over 50 participants. We explored the following questions:

• What do we see as the key challenges for the future of VET?
• What kind of developments in society, economy and labour market are we facing in the coming decade?
• How can and shall VET react to these changes out of Regional, National or European perspective?

The session was designed to facilitate discussion and interaction between participants.  The participants worked in small groups to consider options for further developments in VET. The speakers’ contributions stimulated the participants to produce a range of ideas, models and recommendations to report to the conference and beyond.

Fours speakers presented their viewpoints on future developments in VET.

•  Fernando Marhuenda, University of Valencia, Spain: The Role of VET during transitions
• Vibe Aarkrog, University of Arhus, Danmark: Trends and issues of apprenticeships in the Danish situation
• Vidmantis Tutlys, Kaunas University, Lithuania: Future Agenda for developing VET in the Baltic states
• Georg Spöttl, University of Bremen, ITB: Will the educational idea of vocational education and training get lost in Europeanisation?

This was a new initiative by the current VETNET Board to provide an opportunity for a more concentrated discussion and exchange of ideas within the programme. The participants contributed excellent ideas and points for the next VETNET conference and the research community. The session organizers will incorporate these into a more detailed report in the coming weeks. 

Marg Malloch, London, East London University, Faculty of Education