Study visits for specialists and decision-makers in education and training: apply now

Source: Directorate-General for Education and Culture (EAC) i, published on Tuesday, March 29 2011.

Are you a specialist or decision-maker in education or vocational training and would like to explore themes of common interest with your counterparts in other European countries or better understand specific aspects of another education and training system?

Deadline: 31 March 2011, 12 noon Central European Time

The programme is open to nationals and residents of any of the 27 EU Member States, as well as the EFTA i countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and candidate countries (Turkey, Croatia).

Eligible for application: those who are responsible for the development and implementation of education or vocational training policies at local, regional or national levels: representatives of national, regional and local authorities, directors of education and vocational training establishments, guidance centres and validation and accreditation centres; teacher trainers; education and training inspectors; and representatives of employers associations and trade unions.

Candidates are selected by the National Agencies responsible for managing the programme in participating countries. Successful participants will receive a grant to contribute to travel and subsistence expenses.

There will be opportunities for 140 study visits to 27 European countries. Three study visits (Groups 25, 126, 129) of the first round specifically address high-level policy- and decision-makers responsible for education and training policies at national, regional and local level. The visits examine such important topics as raising quality of vocational education and training in co-operation with employers and higher education and the role of social partners in developing national qualifications frameworks.

If you are interested in participating please consult the national agency in your country and submit your application online. More information about contacts and the modalities of applying: http://studyvisits.cedefop.europa.eu/

Background

The Study visits programme is part of the Lifelong Learning Programme. Cedefop i (the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) co-ordinates the programme on behalf of the European Commission in co-operation with the National Agencies.

Study visits provide a forum for discussion, exchange and mutual learning on themes of common interest at EU level in order to:

  • - 
    enable those exercising important responsibilities at local, regional, sectoral or national levels to better understand specific aspects of education and vocational training policies, and explore themes of common interest in other countries;
  • - 
    further the exchange of advice, ideas and information between all those participating in the programme, both visitors and hosts;
  • - 
    enrich the flow of information between participating countries and at European level, including the policy-making level.

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