1. Network for Trainers in Europe
History and Future
Perspectives
Dr. Simone Kirpal
University 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

9. 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 level
Establish 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

12. 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 PD
Book: „National Pathways and European Dimensions of
Trainers‘ Professional Development“
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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