Despite the current economic crisis, the skills of Europeʼs workforce remain crucial to its economic recovery. They are needed to respond to the new economic structures that will emerge. They are needed to fill the new jobs that will be created, to stimulate innovation and develop new goods and services. Economic uncertainties strengthen Europeʼs need to anticipate more effectively its future skill needs over the long, and not just the short  

term.

Beyond the current downturn, there remains strong evidence that by 2020 there will be more and different jobs in the EU than there were in 2006. However, the content and structure of these jobs may be very different. Many new jobs are expected to require the highest qualifications levels including those acquired through vocational education and training (VET). Most job opportunities, however, will be for those with medium level, especially vocational qualifications at upper and post-secondary level. In 1996, 31 % of jobs needed low level or no qualifications. By 2020, this proportion is expected to fall to around 18 %.

Europe already has too many unskilled people. Around 78 million – a third of its workforce – have no or only the lowest level of qualifications. At their meeting in Bordeaux in November 2008, ministers responsible for vocational education and training together with the European Commission and European social partners underlined that investment in skill development remains paramount. Consequently, this period should be seen as an opportunity not only to restructure the economy but also to find ways for

people to renew their skills throughout their working lives. Against this background, Cedefop has analysed the challenges and progress made in reforming VET systems in line with the mandate received in the Helsinki communiqué. On the eve of 2010, when the current Lisbon strategy will come to the end, this report also takes a brief look into the future.

VET is undergoing systemic change strongly supported by European policy cooperation. Work on common European tools and principles has advanced significantly. The recommendation on a European qualifications framework is a major step. As a main pillar of lifelong learning, VET has a crucial role to play in Europeʼs effort to raise the skills of its citizens. In their efforts, Member States have been supported by the European Commission and social partners at all levels. Cedefop, too, has played its part collecting information and analysing progress made to provide evidence and insights to inform policy-making. This cooperation has made the objective of raising the skill levels of the workforcee a truly European endeavour. Recognising that common principles, tools, and policy learning help to tackle challenges they share, countries expressed their wish to continue their cooperation on VET, also beyond 2010 knowing there remains a long way to go. Barriers to lifelong learning for adults and older workers still need

to be brought down. More people need to be attracted to VET. Demographic change points to a substantial fall in VET graduates, precisely the type of people the labour market will need in the future. New financing methods are needed to increase investment in human resources through a fair sharing

of costs. Guidance services need strengthening to support further learning, career management, smooth transitions between jobs and encourage labour market participation. Quality of VET needs to be improved and its links with the labour market strengthened.

With forthcoming recommendations on a European quality assurance framework and a credit system for VET, focus will shift to implementation. Ministers for Higher Education were invited to the meeting in Bordeaux to strengthen cooperation in VET.

Effective implementation requires high-quality analysis, information and expertise to support and complement action. Cedefop will continue to support the Copenhagen process in line with its mandate in the Bordeaux communiqué. In 2010, when the European Union devises its new priorities for the post-2010 Lisbon strategy and updated strategic framework on education and training, Cedefop will take stock of Copenhagen process achievements since 2002. This will be done in close cooperation with the

Belgian Presidency, the European Commission, Cedefopʼs reference network (ReferNet), social partners and Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training.

Since launching the Copenhagen process in 2002, European VET policy cooperation has seen remarkable progress. However, much remains to be done. Europe must continue to build up the skills of its people, consolidate progress made to date, and continue to modernise what, how, when and why we learn. As this report shows, Europe cannot afford to do otherwise.

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