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VET in Lifelong Learning – the role of the teacher trade unions
Summary of the seminar
ETUI-ETUCE Seminar, Vilnius31 March 2011
The aim of the seminar
To exchange experience on the role of the trade unions in the VET sector
To analyse the recent position of VETTo gain added value how trade unions can
have influence on improving the sector and
How teacher unions can contribute to the recovery from the crises
THE ETUCE
DAY 1
Ms Ruta Osipaviciute, FLESTU president.: VET is essential in Lithuania and social dialogue in this education sector iseffective
Ms Maike Koops, European Commission: Adult Learning policies challenges and next steps at European level. Education sectors should cooperate more in the framework of lifelong learning: vocational, adult, non-formal, informal to increase the level of quality. Studies: Adult learning professions, Key competences of staff , future study on financing VET.
THE ETUCE
DAY 1
Mr Martin Romer, ETUCE: ETUCE answer to the EU VET policies. The EU has strong focus on VET considering its role in the economy.
The Commission, the Council of the EU and the Belgian Presidency have all tried to enforce the development of VET recently. Trade unions must follow the new EU initiatives on VET.
THE ETUCE
DAY 1
ETUCE supports the quality development but highlights more investment in VET - not only from labour market perspective but from a holistic approach. ETUCE opposes to set up additional instruments on forecasting skills to jobs in the framework of skills councils.
VET and adult learning should be publicly founded. EU trend: start of privatisation.Lifelong Learning Programmes: projects, mobilityEuropean Structural FundsEuropean Neighbourhood European Social Fund
THE ETUCE
DAY 1 Working Groups
Social dialogue and VET: Involvement of teacher unions
Group 1: Improving the attractiveness of VETProblems: Crises and high unemployment contributes to
low motivationStudents without supportMore unqualified teachersPrivatization of VET as an approaching trendBad conditions, lots of studentLow wages and quitting teachers
THE ETUCE
DAY 1 Working Groups
Social dialogue and VET: Involvement of teacher unions
Group 1: Improving the attractiveness of VETProposals: More teacher trainingsGuidance and counselling services: for both
teachers and students (employability)Bridge between schools and enterprisesMedia campaign
THE ETUCE
DAY 1 Working Groups
Social dialogue and VET: Involvement of teacher unions
Group 2: Economic and demographic challengesProblems:Budget cuts in VET while this is an expensive
sector (materials, technological development)Negative image towards VET schools and
vocations (schools and Ministries)Low skilled teachersAfter the crises the public sector professions
are attractive
THE ETUCE
DAY 1 Working Groups
Social dialogue and VET: Involvement of teacher unionsGroup 2: Economic and demographic challengesProposals to the TUs: Recruitment of more young teachers. More information,
better salary, better working conditions, mentoring in VETSupporting measures for different groups in the TUTU should apply for more projects to improve continuous
teacher training; Sabbathical leaveTU should inform teachers on lifelong learningSocial dialogue: enforce government to keep high standard,
Better communication, networking among the stakeholders Improve the image of the sector: quality teaching with
qualified and experiences teachers. Mixed schools: general and VET
THE ETUCE
DAY 1 Working Groups
Social dialogue and VET: Involvement of teacher unions
Group 3: Future profile of teachersProblems:Low status of VET teachersAging teachersLow salary, bad working conditions, high
work loadFewer childrenMigration
THE ETUCE
DAY 1 Working Groups
Social dialogue and VET: Involvement of teacher unions
Group 3: Future profile of teachersProposals:Role of school leaders is essentialMore in-depth analyses is necessary to know
the present situationTrade unions should harmonize their actionsInitial teacher training must be improved
THE ETUCE
DAY 2
Mr Romualdas Pusvaskis, Ministry of Education and Science: Development of VET and qualification system in LithuaniaVET modernisation was achieved with the participation of the social partners: initial and continuous VET and guidance and counseling. Quality of VET :
- social partnership, - standards - early identification of skill needs - system of licences - register of study and training programmes- decentralization of governance (status of self-governance),- teachers qualifications are upgraded
THE ETUCE
DAY 2
Ms Tatiana Babruaskiene: Key competences of VET teachers
Project description: good position of the social dialogue in Lithuania where the teacher trade union and the government can cooperate well on the VET development.
Project report: in 3 weeks
THE ETUCE
DAY 2 Working Groups
VET, key competences and Lifelong learningGroup 1: Changing needs and teachers trainingPedagogical development,Professional development: new technology Interactive methodRespect of class and societyCreation of common platform where teachers
exchange teaching methods. Ministries should provide a guidelines on skills
needs. Role of the social dialogue: social partners have to
cooperate.
THE ETUCE
DAY 2 Working Groups
VET, key competences and Lifelong learningGroup 2: VET schools as teachers’ learning environmentEstablish contacts with employers who provide
apprenticeship for students: Teachers can also learn and keep up-to-date
The role of trade unions is establishing links between employers and educational institutes
Links with pprofessional guilds is valuable: advice on new technology.
Reforms in education must be implemented gradually and must take into account the needs of older teachers and who are less likely to endorse big changes.
Teachers must teach competencies apart from subjects.
THE ETUCE
DAY 2 Working Groups
VET, key competences and Lifelong learningGroup 2: VET schools as teachers’learning environmentTrade Unions should be considered as major stake
holders in issues of teacher training.Social dialogue should also lead to maintaining quality,
and training professionals.Social dialogue should also establish wage
benchmarks and improve minimum wages of teachers.Respect for teachers is lacking in many countries and
this should be addressed.Trade unionists should participate in training seminars
organised by Cedefop and other organisations like European Training Foundation.
THE ETUCE
DAY 2 Working Groups
VET, key competences and Lifelong learning
Group 3: TUs’ influence on VET systems on lifelong learning
Actions have to be interacted, Quality assurance, less workload and better wages, Key competences should be taught, broader
perspective of teaching, Participation in mobility programmes.Teachers must be involved in more dialogue,
promotion of social dialogue. Exchange of experience (pedagogical experiences.)
... where to start
Future ETUCE activities on VET
ETUCE WORK PROGRAMME 2011-2012: ACTIVITIES ON VET (1)
- Monitoring and follow-up on the EU VET policy, follow up on the Bruges Communiqué
- More representation at EC Working Groups
- Establishment of a VET Working Group for 2 years
- policy development - project(s)
- study
ETUCE WORK PROGRAMME 2011-2012: ACTIVITIES ON VET (2)
- Monitor and inform on development of guidelines on validation of non-formal and informal learning
- Follow up on the implementation of ECVET
- Develop policy on quality assurance- Follow-up on skills forecasting, ESCO
groups, Professional Qualification Directive
