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3 years of the ETF Network for Excellence

Started in the beginning of 2019, the ETF Network for Excellence (ENE) is an international initiative that aims to foster technical cooperation relations amongst EU partner countries, advancing them to new and broad horizons. Based on the concept of enabling mutual learning and exchange of expertise among member states, the network primarily focuses on providing capacity building resources to countries and affiliated organizations.

"The idea of the network started in late 2018, but the actual preparations were in the beginning of 2019 with the objective of internationalizing knowledge exchange and launching a global debate on vocational training reform." said Jose Manuel Galvin Arribas, Senior Human Capital Development Expert and ETF's Coordinator for the Vocational Excellence Project.

By October 2021, the network would include 217 members from 29 countries (142 from ETF partner countries, 68 from EU member states and 7 from Africa).

The network is aligned with the EU vision to further deepen interstate cooperation in fields of technical education and training. "The ENE is no strange to the European Commission (EC); it's launched in consultation with the EC team to capitalize on its Erasmus program for vocational excellence." Added Galvin in an interview yesterday with ETF Strategic Communication Team.

The ENE focuses on several thematic topics in the course of promoting vocational training reform. Such topics include work-based learning, pedagogical and professional development, entrepreneurial vocational centers, industry 4.0 and digitalization, autonomy and institutional development, going green and supporting sustainable goals, and finally social inclusion and equity.

In its advancement of the themes aforementioned, ENE extensively encourages member states to share their experience and be effective learning partners. And in order to evaluate the degree of effectiveness of members' participation in the network's learning activities, a self-assessment tool has been introduced so as to enable members to report on their efforts in regards to the previous themes, further explained Galvin. "It's a questionnaire that members have to respond to on a periodic basis as a means of self-monitoring and evaluation."

It's worth saying that the ENE doesn't only work with governments and official institutions; instead, the network has developed channels of communication with business corporates, associations, think tanks and entities concerned with issues of vocational training and education.

"We are not just working for those who are the best of the best in their field; rather, we're more concerned with helping other partners by sharing the concept of excellence and mainstreaming the most up to date practices and approaches in this area in an inclusive manner." Concluded Galvin.
For more info about ENE, check the following link

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