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Network for Trainers in Europe History and Future Perspectives
Dr. Simone KirpalUniversity of Bremen, Germany
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Structure of the presentaion
1. History and contextual background
2. Structure and goals of the Network
3. Network activities
4. Conclusions
5. Outlook
6. Introduction to the Conference
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Teachers and Trainers in VET
Political priority set by the European ministers for VET in Copenhagen (2002) and reinforced in Maastricht (2004) and Helsinki (2006)
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Maastricht Communiqué (2004)
Identify the specific learning needs and changing roles of trainers in VET
Identify possibilities to make the training profession more attractive
Support the continuing up-dating of skills, knowledge and competences of trainers
Enhance the support structures for VET trainers
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Contextual Background
Trainers and VET professionals as new target group in EU LLL policies
Several studies and initiatives to identify the situation and needs of trainers Gather data and information
Support structures for VET trainers (professional development)
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Studies indicate that The area of VET trainers is underresearched
Training professions lack recognition and incentives
Trainers‘ competence profiles need to include a broader range of pedagogical, social and management competences
Trainers in SMEs are particularly disadvantaged
The training methods that trainers apply require innovation
The continuing professional development of trainers needs to be strengthened if they are to assume a stragetic role in knowledge-based economies
Trainers roles‘ are shifting from instructor towards learning counsellor, coach or facilitator
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Network for Trainers
funded under LdV Network strand Duration: 11/2007 – 11/2010 Project consortium:
Group of international partners
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Network‘s objectives
Develop a European perspective on the situation and professional development of VET trainers
Generate information: compile but also generate new data, information and materials on trainers in Europe
To support national reform processes Facilitate mutual exchange, learning and
communication among different stakeholder groups Foster the political dialogue to identify strategies for
improving the situation of trainers Innovation: pilot innovative e-features for knowledge
sharing and dissemination in the area of trainers
Network approach Enforce collaboration between the network
and other initiatives/projects that have VET trainers as a target group
Introduce and implement innovative e-tools for exchange between the network members (skype & flashmeetings for project monitoring)
‘Bottom-up approach’ to effectively involve stakeholders down to the level of training practitioners
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Network activities
1. Activities at the national levelEstablish national networks of training institutions & practitioners in different countries/country cluster
2. Activities at the international level Web-based platform 2 joint network activities (research and policy) 2 international e-conferences Global Conference
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Network Platform Linking information, initiatives and people Exchange and knowledge sharing Community building Documentation of research and training
practice Support new e-learning tools
Issues: Target group (main users are researchers &
professional trainers) Community building is difficult
Network Activities
1st NW activity: data gathering Survey with about 800 training practitioners
covering 18 European languages/28 countries
2nd NW activity: policies & programming European perspectives/national case studies on
qualification standards for trainers and their PDBook: „National Pathways and European Dimensions of
Trainers‘ Professional Development“
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17/06/2009 Simone Kirpal 13
1st e-conference (11/2008)
“Training of Trainers”Themes The changing role of trainers in learning Professional development of trainers Work-based learning E-learning
Exhibition Marketplace Targeted at training practitioners Featuring a multi-lingual exhibition area with
examples of good practice
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2nd E-conference (11/2009)
“Innovations in Training Practice”Themes Innovations in work-based learning Innovations in company-based training ICT for innovations in training practice Equality and diversity in training practice:
recognising socially-disadvantaged groups
Why this format???
Replication, costs, innovation, community building effect
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Conclusions Network activity I & II have had the greatest impact on
fostering collaboration among network partners
E-conferences have had the greatest impact on the community building process at international level
National trainer networks vary greatly concerning activities and commitment
The platform is not being used to its full potentials
Involving training practitioners remains a key concern
Future perspectives need to be developed
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Impact on community building
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Global Conference“Crossing Boundaries: The multiple roles of
trainers and teachers in VET”
Rationale: Face-to-face meeting for network members Provide a forum for wider exchange Pilot innovative session formats Develop a perspective for the future
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THANK YOU