Publications

Social partners are key players in the development of vocational education and training. It is a widely supported statement in the European Union and its member states. However, it is easier said than done. The transition economies of South Eastern Europe are only slowly recovering and most companies are fragile and having mainly short-term visions and perspectives. Because investing in education and training is leading to longer-term results, companies and their representing social partners do not consider it as a high priority. How can the general idea to promote social partnership in South Eastern Europe be given shape and should social partners be involved in all parts of the policy design and policy development processes? The ETF carried out a peer learning exercise in 2008 focussing on the role of social partners in education and training in the construction and tourism sectors in Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. This report aims to illuminate the issues discussed as well as it is an evidence of the insights and reflections of the peers. It should be seen also as a possible tool to support the stakeholders’ capacities to formulate and implement systemic education reform policies, where the added value is the participation of social partners in the reform agenda in each country.

This report is the outcome of a project, “Black Sea Labour Market Reviews”, which was initiated and funded by the European Training Foundation (ETF) to collect information and analysis of selected labour market and related human capital issues in six countries of the Black Sea region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine).

Cooperation on education - making a difference to ordinary people's lives: interview with Ján Figel', Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth New ETF Regulation: A historic day for the ETF Country focus: Serbia Social inclusion in schools in Turin

“This publication illustrates not only the achievements of European support to skills development in the fledgling free market economies surrounding us, but also, inter alia, the invaluable importance of helping our neighbours develop some of the most basic conditions for peace, stability and prosperity: education and training.” Jan Andersson, MEP