European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)

SUMMARY OF:

Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 - European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)

SUMMARY

In the European Union, around 75 million people have low levels of qualifications or no qualifications, at all which makes them 3 times more likely to be unemployed than those with high-level qualifications.

To help them develop their skills and find jobs, the EU created a specific agency to support its vocational education and training policies and help EU countries to put them into practice.

WHAT IS THE AIM OF CEDEFOP?

The purpose of Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, is to support the European Commission in promoting vocational education and training (VET) and in developing and implementing a common VET policy through its scientific and technical activities.

Cedefop works closely with the Commission, the EU countries, employers and trade unions, as well as VET researchers and practitioners. It provides them with up-to-date information on developments in VET as well as opportunities to debate policy.

KEY POINTS

Its main tasks are to:

• compile documentation on VET and contribute to the development of VET research, providing statistical data and policy analysis to support VET policymaking and increase awareness of VET’s value;
• disseminate information through its website, publications, studies, conferences and seminars;
• support a joint approach to strengthening EU cooperation in VET policy development;
• stimulate debate on the development of the labour market and evolving needs for skills and qualifications.

Work

There are 4 main headings:

• 1.

  policy analysis : Cedefop is mandated to report on how EU countries’ progress towards achieving commonly agreed VET policy goals and on VET financing;

• 2.

  developing lifelong learning: it monitors and reviews trends and policy developments related to lifelong learning (i.e. learning at any stage of life). It provides policymakers with data and analysis and offers opportunities for knowledge-sharing and exchanges of best practices in education and training;

• 3.

  identifying skills needs: it analyses potential EU labour market imbalances. It also investigates skill and competence needs in selected sectors and looks for a common EU approach to monitor the changing skill needs;

• 4.

  understanding qualifications: it contributes to designing common EU instruments and principles in education and training to help people progress and change career at any age. For example, it disseminates information on EU instruments like the EU Qualifications Framework (EQF), the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and the Europass.

Networks

Cedefop works with 2 main networks:

• ReferNet, a network which provides information on national vocational education and training systems and policies in the EU countries plus Iceland and Norway;
• Skillsnet, which brings together highly qualified researchers and experts from across the world to present and discuss methods of research and analysis on new and changing skills needs.

BACKGROUND

Cedefop is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies. Founded in 1975, it moved from Berlin to Thessaloniki in 1995.

In 2015, it celebrated 40 years’ contribution to VET in Europe and 20 years based in Greece.

For more information, see:

• Cedefop;
• European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training;
• Europass.

ACT

Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of the Council of 10 February 1975 establishing a European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

RELATED ACTS

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the external evaluation of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (COM(2008) 356 final of 13.6.2008)

last update 30.09.2015