European Vocational Skills Week enters second round

After the huge success of the first European Vocational Skills Week last year, the second edition took place in Brussels and throughout Europe from 20 to 24 November 2017. As an umbrella brand, the European Week bundles a wealth of events and activities related to vocational education and training in Europe. Companies, associations, ministries, vocational schools, trainees, trainers, vocational school teachers and other actors in VET are invited to promote their activities and illustrate the potential of VET for career paths and career development in the European community. Quality and excellence in vocational education and training are thus becoming the focus of public attention.

Events and activities for the European Vocational Skills Wek have been organised at national, regional and local level throughout Europe since 1 September. Last year, more than 900 activities and events were announced by the European member states, EFTA and EU candidate countries. Open days, theme conferences and campaigns in support of initial vocational education and training and continuing education were particularly popular. On the Commission's campaign page you can still register events that will take place until 31 December 2017.

True to the theme of the week, "Discover your talent", the initiative aims to raise awareness of how vocational education and training at all levels can contribute to fostering innovation and competitiveness while improving the individual's career opportunities. Special emphasis is placed on the topic of lifelong learning. From the point of view of education and employment policy, lifelong learning is given high priority: it promotes social inclusion, employability and personal development.

The BIBB was also represented with its own contributions this year. For example, the international expert conference "Peer Learning Activity (PLA)" was held at BIBB on 4 and 5 September. It is one of over 1200 registered activities of this year's European Vocational Skills Week. The BIBB conference focused on pilot projects for the continuing education of training staff in companies from Portugal, Italy, Cyprus and Greece.

As a mandated member of the European Working Group on Education and Training (ET 2020), BIBB, represented by Isabelle Le Mouillour, took part in one of the accompanying events in Brussels on 22 November. Under the title "Apprenticeships in the digital age: Are we ready for the future?", the members of the working group met to discuss the challenges, opportunities and effects of digitalisation in vocational education and training. In a panel discussion, Isabelle Le Mouillour answered questions on the subject of "digitalisation and training personnel".