The Integration of the New Member States into TTnet

1
The Integration of the New Member States into
TTnet

• TTnet Launch Talinn 15 June 2004
• Ronald G. Sultana
• University of Malta

2
Key points

• The process of integrating new members
• Countries joining TTnet in 2004
• VET in NMS a synthesis
• VET teachers/trainers in NMS a profile
• Objectives for TTnet in the NMS
• Target groups and activities
• Collaboration with established TTnet

3
Process of integrating new members

• ETF survey on VET teachers and trainers of
  trainers
• Aalborg meeting (Nov 02) Danish presidency
• CEDEFOP Restricted Working Group
• Surveys among accession countries
• Country frameworks
• TTnet conference (Dec 03)

4
The NMS
APEL
Theory / practice
curriculum
standards
Classroom mgt
firm links
VET strategy
pedagogy
Career paths
use of ICTs
in-service
key concerns
Special needs
Training in industry
Profession-alisation
Qualifications framework
5
VET in NMS a synthesis

• A field marked by reform
• Post-1989 liberalisation Globalization forces
  Accession
• Several important initiatives
• - Legislative developments and measures
• - Social partnership model
• - LLL and CVT increasingly on agenda
• - Decentralisation and school autonomy
• - Linking education and enterprise
• - New VET curricula new assessment / cert
• - Introduction of competency-based models
• - Increased pedagogical training
• - A new qualification framework APL
• - Learning from good practice in EU

6
VET teachers and trainers a profile

• Ageing, unstable, poorly paid profession
• Majority of teachers are women
• Many teachers / trainers are not formally trained
• Pedagogical material and resources often outdated
• Teacher to student ratio falling academic drift
• Distinction between VET theory practice
  teachers
• Most universities do not offer VET teacher
  training
• Training often too theoretical
• Traditional teaching models
• Use of ICTs is limited

7
VET teachers and trainers a profile

• Insufficient ICTE training of VET teachers
  trainers
• Theory and practice de-linked
• Limited opportunities for traineeships in
  industry
• Poor cross-sectoral collaboration
• Corps is not professionalised
• National standards not yet formalised
• Limited firm-based training - issue of SMEs
• Lack of LM intelligence
• Adult educators often part-time

8
Key objectives for TTnet-NMS
Initial In-service TT
Innovation
Dialogue Network
Monitoring/Evaluation
Research
9
Key objectives for TTnet-NMS

• Communication networking
• - A national forum (seminars, workshops)
• - Link with industry
• - Improving image
• Innovation
• - Curricular/pedagogical
• - Competency-based
• - APL systems

• VET initial continued training
• - Theory/practice link
• - Mentoring
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• - Quality assurance
• - Teacher training
• Research
• - Trainers in firms
• - EU good practice

10
Target groups for TTnet-NMS

• VET administrators
• VET TT researchers
• VET teacher educators
• VET teachers and mentors
• LM trainers in public private training centres
• HRD departments
• Policy makers
• Social partners

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Activities envisaged by TTnet-NMS

• Seminars, workshops, publications
• Mediating linkages
• Web-site, data base, register
• Local and EU-wide networking
• Research and evaluation
• Establishing competencies standards
• Identifying training needs
• Designing training courses
• Delivering training
• Developing tools (e.g. to measure VET teacher
  competencies)

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Collaboration with other TTnets

• Bilateral links
• Multilateral links
• Development of e-learning as a tool
• NMS TTnet collaboration
• Innovative pedagogic practices
• Validation of non-formal learning
• Quality assurance frameworks