Guides and toolkits

Between June 1999 and April 2000 the ETF carried out a project called "Standards 2000", on the development of standards in vocational education and training. Activities of this project included collecting best practice examples, discussing different approaches and methodologies, analysing specific demands, mapping ongoing activities, and making recommendations for further improvement. During the project a number of European based methods were tested by the partner countries to identify labour market needs and define the requirements of employment. This resulted in a proposal for an international framework for vocational education and training standards, which involves the separation of the requirements of employment (the labour market), learning and assessment. As an outcome of the project, the ETF developed this Manual on the analysis method and a programme of formal training and development in methods for identifying the employment requirement.

This document brings together the latest information that the ETF has compiled on the situation of vocational education and training in the countries that will be covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy instrument (ENPI) set to be launched by the European Union at the beginning of 2007. The country sections present an overview of the social and economic context of each of the ENPI countries, an analysis of the education system and a short review of the main initiatives in education and training carried out by international donors in the country. Each country chapter also puts forward suggestions for future donor investments in the HRD sector.

Within the framework of the preparation of the ETF publication "Investment in Education, Employment and Economic Performance in Syria" a more academic paper was prepared covering specifically returns to education and transition from school to work in Syria.

This report aims at assessing the system of vocational education and training (TVET) in Jordan. It identifyes the main challenges and suggests priorities for external cooperation. More specifically, the report seeks to assess the status of readiness for undertaking a Sector Policy Support Programme in TVET using a sector-wide approach.

This report belongs to a series of country analyses developed by the ETF at the end of 2005 for all countries in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It contains an overview of the country social and economical context, the analysis of the educational system and a short review of the main initiatives in education and training carried out by international donors in the country

This report belongs to a series of country analyses developed by the ETF at the end of 2005 for all countries in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It contains an overview of the country social and economical context, the analysis of the educational system and a short review of the main initiatives in education and training carried out by international donors in the country.

The publication is based on a conference on the same topic held by the ETF in the framework of its activities on gender equality and education. The ETF conference on 6 and 7 March 2006 gathered 70 young women and men from 24 countries, including the Nobel Peace Prize Winner S003, Shirin Ebadi, and Anna Záborská from the European Parliament. The conference focussed on the importance of gender equality in education and employment and the role of vocational education and training in advancing the status of women in society and in strengthening their position in the labour market and business. A wealth of new ideas were generated during the conference and the publication highlights the main recommendations and conclusions.

In preparing its 2006 Work Programme, the ETF has sought to improve the strategic presentation and focus of its services. The Work Programme makes the ETF's work to support and build capacity in partner countries more visible, and shows how EU support can complement national reform efforts in partner countries. A second improvement in the Work Programme has been to clarify the focus of the ETF's investment in innovation and learning as a tool to develop new approaches to reform which can benefit partner countries and the EU, as well as expertise development for the ETF.

In this issue: - Cover story: 50 young men and women from 24 different countries met in Turin on 6–7 March 2006 to attend the first ETF conference entirely devoted to gender issues. - In focus: Advisory Forum 2006: Skills for Progress - the key messages; ETF launches new website. - Features: Norway: never too early to start entrepreneurship learning; Ethnic minorities in the Western Balkans; MEDA-ETE: Promoting regional cooperation among equals; University–enterprise cooperation; Developing key competences for Lifelong Learning.

The report analyses overall trends in gender mainstreaming policies in education and employment in the EU Member States and provides a general overview of the situation in Turkey, Jordan and Morocco.

Assessment and analysis of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the groups affected...

A comprehensive analysis of employment and training reform in Slovenia conducted by ETF in order to assist in monitoring the Joint Assessment Papers (JAPs) on employment and training policies.