In South Eastern Europe, societies will face tough challenges in decades to come, whether in economy, environment, or political systems. Schools will have a key role to play to prepare citizens, employees and entrepreneurs for these demanding times.

Vocational schools, the schools that prepare people for concrete jobs, are a particularly important part of the complex inter-connected educational system. They will need to adapt and innovate in order to better serve students’ new needs.

The new book, Portraits of Innovative Vocational Schools in Southern Europe, gives a rare insight into the work of some of the most successful vocational schools in the region. The book, sponsored by the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the Italian government, will be presented at the 2010 Frankfurt Book Fair from 6 to 10 October 2010.

“The Frankfurt Book Fair is the ideal location for the launch of our new publication”, said Bent Sørensen, Head of ETF Communication.

The fair is the most important marketplace for books and knowledge-sharing worldwide. According to Sorensen, in Frankfurt ETF can meet a large international audience interested in education and schools. The Frankfurt Book Fair gathers some 300.000 visitors and over 10.000 journalists.

“Portraits pays respect to the professional and courageous people who try new things in education to give the best possible start to the new generation”, said Søren Nielsen, senior expert at the ETF and one of the editors of the book. “But it is primarily a practical tool and invitation to the others out there to join”.

The book tells ten successful stories from places like Korce in Albania, Zrenjanin in Serbia, or Istanbul in Turkey, where schools were able to change their profiles in response to the changing labour markets, or put into practice quality teacher training, or develop useful adult training programmes.

What is unique about Portraits is that it goes further than just presenting a series of case studies. The editors gave voice to the teachers and principals who described in their own word what they did to make their schools ready for the future. So, in fact, these are self-portraits of innovative schools.

“The book provides this positive “can-do” push to any reader”, said Nielsen. “And because of its form – teachers sharing stories with other teachers – it is more likely to encourage and give inspiration. It is simply easier to identify with one of you own.”


Find out more
ETF publication: Portraits of Innovative Vocational Schools in Southern Europe
"Education for the Future" at the Frankfurt Book Fair
The Frankfurt Book Fair
Visit ETF at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Hall 8.0 stand M905. ETF is present together with the EU Institutions and agencies.