Two conferences, in May 2007 and February 2008, resulted in exchange of expertise and networking took place between Leonardo da Vinci projects, national and European industry and sectoral bodies, representatives of the European Commission, education and training providers and companies.
Both conferences addresed the question how to connect the world of vocational education and training to the world of enterprises, SMEs and the labour market.
We have identified two topics: skills gaps in sectors and involving SMEs in learning. Both topics were addressed in both conferences.
Conference conclusions and presentations can be found by clicking on the respective conference in the left pane
During the first conference in Stockholm on 25 May 2007 we have:
- spread knowledge and awareness among policy makers and intermediary organizations of SME’s about sectoral skills gaps and involvement of SME’s in lifelong learning projects and the solutions Leonardo projects have.
- discussed with these experts and stakeholders the way a sustainable European platform on theme 2 could function and how it can relate to other networks and platforms
- exchanged best practices and products of the selected projects. This also gives valorization opportunities for projects
The second conference took place in Amsterdam in The Netherlands on 14 and 15 February 2008.
This conference was larger (120 participants) and aimed to connect Leonardo projects and sectoral and SME’s organizations. The conference will build on the outcomes of the first one and has two goals.
- First is to provide a platform for the setting up of sustainable platforms on competencies and skills in companies and for Leonardo projects to broaden their impact.
- Second is to provide more practical workshops for Leonardo projects and their platform on the development of instruments to be used by SME’s. This instrument should be easy to use and comprehensible to all kinds of SME’s.
The nature of the second conference will be interactive, providing incentives for networking.