Economic case for education and training
We should not be not looking for efficiency that means ‘at the least possible cost’, but for efficient investment in education in order to improve education quality and ultimately to reach the highest educational outcomes. We have to make sure that our pupils, students and adults have strong skills and competences and are able to adapt to the fast-changing needs in today’s knowledge society.
EFEE activities
- EFEE Statement on Horizon Europe (2019)
- EFEE Statement on Priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 (2018)
- EFEE & High Level Task Force on investing in Social Infrastructure in Europe report “Boosting investments in social infrastructure in Europe” (2017)
- CEEP, ETUC, EFEE and ETUCE project “Improving Social Partners’ involvement in EU support for public investments in education and training” (2016-2017)
- EFEE & CEEP & ETUC & ETUCE report “EU level funds and financial instruments for education and training and the role of social partners” (November 2016)
- EFEE & CEEP, ETUCE and ETUC Joint Recommendations on Improving social partners’ involvement in the EU support for public investment in training and education at the European level (November 2016)
- EFEE Position Paper “The economic case for education and training in the Europe2020 context” (Mai 2015)
Vocational education and training
In order to raise the profile and relevance of Vocational Education and Training (VET), the holistic education dimension of VET should be emphasised and thus the requirement for all VET programmes to adequately comprehend the key competences for lifelong learning in order to maximise learner engagement and ensure that learners acquire the capacity to continuously adapt to change.
EFEE activities
- MBO Raad, EFEE and ETUCE project on “Lifelong Learning for All: Social Partners in Education promoting quality and inclusive VET to enhance lifelong learning for all” (2019-2020)
- EFEE Peer Learning Visit to Sweden on “Promoting social inclusion by fostering integration of newly arrived migrants and (re)engaging NEETs in education, training and jobs” (Juni 2018)
- EFEE and ETUCE Joint Statement on Improving Vocational Education and Training in Europe (November 2017)
- EFEE and CEEP reply to European Commission consultation on “A new skills agenda for Europe” (Februar 2016)
- EFEE Peer Learning Activity to Ireland on “Promoting the development of quality vocational education and training” (Oktober 2014)
Social inclusion, citizenship and integration of migrants
Angesichts des wachsenden Zustroms von Migranten nach Europa und der Folgemaßnahmen zur Pariser Erklärung versuchen politische Entscheidungsträger auf europäischer und nationaler Ebene zunehmend, die Rolle der Bildung bei der Förderung der Staatsbürgerschaft und der gemeinsamen Werte Freiheit, Toleranz und Nichtdiskriminierung sowie bei der Erleichterung der Integration von Migranten in die Aufnahmegesellschaft zu stärken. EFEE hält es für wichtig, die Rolle der Arbeitgeber im Bildungsbereich bei der Förderung der politischen Bildung, des interkulturellen Dialogs und der demokratischen Staatsbürgerschaft durch Peer-Learning und politischen Austausch zu stärken.
EFEE activities
- EFEE & ETUCE Statement On Multiculturalism, Democratic Citizenship and Social Inclusion in Education (2019)
- EFEE & ETUCE Vorschlag für einen Qualitätsrahmen für eine effektive Inklusion von Migranten und Flüchtlingen in der Bildung (2019)
- EFEE & ETUCE Gemeinsame praktische Leitlinien zur Förderung einer effektiven Integration von Lernenden mit Migrationshintergrund und Flüchtlingen (2019)
- EFEE & ETUCE Project Report by Prof. Nihad Bunar “Promoting effective integration of migrants and refugees in education” also in FR (2019)
- EFEE & EU CONVINCE Project Partners Research Report on “Challenges and good practices related to promoting citizenship and values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education” with Executive Summary in EN, FR, DE, ES, IT, RU, PL (2019)
- EFEE & EU CONVINCE Project Partners Joint Statement on Citizenship Education & EU Common Values also in DE, FR, ES, RU (2018)
- EFEE Peer Learning Visit to Sweden on “Promoting social inclusion by fostering integration of newly arrived migrants and (re)engaging NEETs in education, training and jobs” (Juni 2018)
- EFEE Peer Learning Visit to Montenegro on “Promoting and improving inclusive education starting at early age” (Mai 2018)
- EFEE and ETUCE Project on “Promoting an effective integration of migrants and refugees in education: a key task for social partners” (2018-2019)
- EFEE, ETUCE, ESHA and OBESSU Project on “EU CONVINCE – EU COmmoN Values INClusive Education” (2018-2019)
- EFEE Peer Learning Activity in Hackney (London) “Promoting social inclusion and achieving high quality education” (September 2017)
- EFEE reply to Public Consultation on Promoting Social Inclusion (August 2017)
- EFEE Position Paper on Promoting civic education, intercultural dialogue and democratic citizenship, and facilitating migrants’ integration in the educational and socio-economic environment of the host society (Oktober 2016)
- EFEE Peer Learning Activity in Malta “Promoting civic education, intercultural dialogue and democratic citizenship, as well as other relevant competences to facilitate migrants’ integration in the educational and socio-economic environment of the host countries” (Mai 2016)
- Press release EFEE and Ministry for Education and Employment of Malta on promoting intercultural dialogue and migrant education (Mai 2016)
Open and innovative education
Education has an important role to play in promoting sustainable economic growth, improving social cohesion and preparing citizens for the fast-changing needs in today’s knowledge society. However in order to reach this full potential, our education systems will have to be modern, up-to-date and efficient. This requires innovative management solutions and an excellent teaching force.
EFEE activities
- EFEE & ETUCE Project “e-Speed – European Social Partners in Education Embracing Digitalisation” (2020-2021)
- EFEE Statement on Digital Education Action Plan Update (2020)
- Press release EFEE and GO! Education of the Flemish Community on promoting innovative and excellent education (Oktober 2015)
- EFEE Peer Learning Activity to Belgium on “Promoting excellence and innovation in education and supporting a new generation of educators” (Oktober 2015)
- EFEE statement on Opening Up Education (Dezember 2013)
Transition from education to employment
There is a need to develop stronger cooperation between the world of work and the world of education and training. Apprenticeships, internships and work-based learning are effective means to improving the transition between both worlds. Moreover, fostering local and regional partnerships between schools, businesses and local/regional governments should be a priority at the national level as it may contribute to ensuring young people acquire the skills and dispositions relevant to gaining and retaining employment.
EFEE activities
- MBO Raad, EFEE and ETUCE project on “Lifelong Learning for All: Social Partners in Education promoting quality and inclusive VET to enhance lifelong learning for all” (2019-2020)
- EFEE Peer Learning Visit to Sweden on “Promoting social inclusion by fostering integration of newly arrived migrants and (re)engaging NEETs in education, training and jobs” (Juni 2018)
- EFEE & ETUCE Joint Statement on Improving Vocational Education and Training in Europe (2017)
- EFEE Peer Learning Activity to the UK on “Improving transition from education to employment” (September 2015)
- Press release EFEE and LGA UK on improving transition from education to employment (September 2015)
- EFEE and CEEP report on “Matching education with the needs of public services” (April 2014)
Attractive career paths in Higher Education and Research
Europe’s ambitious agenda for economic and social development is critically dependent on the strength of its knowledge economy and the human capital that underpins it. Providing attractive and diverse career paths in Higher Education and Research is therefore of fundamental importance if we want to guarantee Europe’s competitiveness in a global economy.
EFEE activities
- EFEE Report on Peer Learning Visit to Finland “Promoting teaching in higher education – how to contribute to diversification of academic career pathways by promoting prestige and excellence in academic teaching?” (2019)
- Press release EFEE and ETUCE on European higher education employers and trade unions publish joint report on supporting early career researchers in Europe 10 years after European Charter for Researchers (April 2015)
- Final Report EFEE, UCEA and ETUCE “Supporting early career researchers in higher education in Europe: The role of employers and trade unions” (Februar 2015)
- EFEE and ETUCE Joint Declaration on Supporting early career researchers in Higher Education in Europe (Januar 2015)
Healthy and safe schools
Education institutions should be safe and healthy places which promote success in teaching and learning. Education institutions are the workplace of school leaders, teachers and other education staff, but foremost they are education institutions for students. The purpose therefore is to support the creation of an atmosphere where students can learn and teachers and other staff in education can carry out their work in a positive, healthy and safe setting.
EFEE activities
- EFEE & ETUCE Project OSH4Edu – European Sectoral Social Partners in Education Enhancing Risk Assessment in Education Institutions (2020)
- OiRA tools developed by EFEE, ETUCE and EU-OSHA for early childhood and care education sector and for the secondary education sector (2019)
- EFEE, ETUCE and EU-OSHA Project to develop Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) tool for the education sector (2018-2019)
- EFEE & ETUCE Joint Practical Guidelines on How to Promote Joint Social Partner Initiatives at European, National, Regional and Local Level to Prevent and Combat Psychosocial Hazards in Education (September 2016)
- Project film EFEE and ETUCE on “Social Partners promoting decent workplaces in the education sector for a healthier working life” (Juni 2016)
- Report EFEE and ETUCE on “Social Partners promoting decent workplaces in the education sector for a healthier working life” (April 2016)
- EFEE and ETUCE Implementation Guide for the Education Sector of the Multi-Sectoral Guidelines to Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work (November 2012)
School leadership and self evaluation
Strong and effective leadership is important in the European schools of the 21st century, as strong and effective leadership is a key driver for educational changes necessary for a modern European education system able to face social and economic challenges like growth, competitiveness and social cohesion. Furthermore, it is not enough for education systems to attract and educate good teaching staff; they need to be retained in the profession, and they need to be nurtured. Education systems need to identify, esteem and support those teaching staff who have powerful influences on student learning. In this context, effective appraisal and feedback systems can have a positive impact on what happens in the classroom, by encouraging staff to build upon their strengths.
EFEE is a leading partner of the European Education Policy Network on Teachers and School Leaders (EEPN). This is a Europe-wide network of several organisations (policymakers, practitioners, researchers and stakeholders) to promote co-operation, policy development and implementation at different governance levels, and to support the European Commission’s policy work on teachers and school leaders. This network is building on existing activities developed at European level, especially initiatives and projects supported through European Union programmes in the field of education. The coordinator of the 4-year project that started in Januar 2019 is the European School Heads Association in strong cooperation with the European Sectoral Social Partners in Education (ETUCE and EFEE) and University of Jyvaskyla, and currently includes 27 partners from 17 countries. More info on website: www.educationpolicynetwork.eu
EFEE activities
- EFEE & EEPN Project Partners Policy Recommendations on Careers and Professional Development of Teachers and School leaders (2019)
- EFEE Report on Peer Learning Visit to Croatia “Supporting teachers, staff and leaders of education and training institutions: key for making change happen” (2019)
- EFEE & EEPN Project Partners Desk Research Reports on making the careers of teachers and school leaders more attractive: 1) Good practices from practitioners and parents; 2) Good practices on policy advice and implementation; 3) Teacher recruitment, retention and motivation in Europe; 4) Ten most relevant European Commission funded projects for teachers’ and school leaders’ more attractive career paths (2019)
- EFEE Peer Learning Activity to Ljubljana (Slovenia) on “Improving school leadership development practices” (Oktober 2017)
- Report EFEE, VO-raad and ETUCE on “Professional autonomy, accountability and efficient leadership” (Februar 2015)
- Joint Declaration EFEE and ETUCE on School Leadership (Januar 2015)
- Report EFEE and ETUCE on “Self-evaluation of schools and teachers” (Dezember 2013)
- Joint Declaration EFEE and ETUCE on the Promotion of Self-evaluation of Schools and Teachers (November 2013)
- Report EFEE on School Leadership and Governance (April 2012)
- EFEE membership of the European Education Policy Network (EEPN) on Teachers and School Leaders: www.educationpolicynetwork.eu
- EFEE membership of the European Policy Network on School Leadership: www.schoolleadership.eu
European Sectoral Social Dialogue in Education
The European Sectoral Social Dialogue in Education (ESSDE) was launched in 2010, under the Articles 154-155 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This came after four years of initiation and start-up processes carried out by the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and from early 2009 onwards, together with the European Federation of Education Employers (EFEE). The first meeting of the ESSDE was in Juni 2010.
Als europäische Sozialpartner im Bildungsbereich halten wir es für wichtig, in unserer Arbeit die Auswirkungen wirtschaftlicher, sozialer und demografischer Entwicklungen auf den Bildungssektor zu berücksichtigen und unsere gemeinsame Arbeit weiterhin auf Themen zu konzentrieren, die genügend gemeinsame Diskussionsgrundlage und Initiativen mit einem klaren Mehrwert für die Zusammenarbeit auf europäischer Ebene bieten. Dabei berücksichtigen wir auch die Agenda der Europäischen Kommission im Bereich Bildung, Beschäftigung und Soziales, insbesondere die Arbeit der GD Bildung und Kultur und der GD Beschäftigung, Soziales und Integration. Wir möchten einen Beitrag zur Verbesserung der Qualität der Bildung in Europa leisten und konzentrieren uns dabei auf die Modernisierung des Bildungssektors, seines Managements und seines Lehrpersonals. Bei all unserer Arbeit berücksichtigen wir den Grundsatz der Gleichstellung der Geschlechter.
Education & Training 2020
Each EU country is responsible for its own education and training systems. EU policy is designed to support national action and help address common challenges, such as ageing societies, skills deficits in the workforce, technological developments and global competition. Education and training 2020 (ET 2020) is the framework for cooperation in education and training.
ET 2020 is a forum for exchanges of best practices, mutual learning, gathering and dissemination of information and evidence of what works, as well as advice and support for policy reforms.
In order to ensure the successful implementation of ET 2020, Working Groups composed of experts nominated by member countries and other key stakeholders work on common EU-level tools and policy guidance. EFEE is represented in all seven Working Groups for 2019-2020 on Schools, Modernization of Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, Adult Learning, Digital Skills, Competences, and Promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education, and Early Childhood Education and Care.
