What is EfVET?
The European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (EfVET) is an EU nonprofit umbrella organisation, established in 1991, with the purpose of building a network of VET stakeholders, to secure a voice across Europe in European policymaking and practice arenas. EfVET represents 350+ members from 40+ countries (including Africa and Asia), reaching 1.5K+ VET providers, 200K+ VET practitioners and 2M+ learners.
EfVET ensures a wide reach, amplifying its impact locally and internationally by being an active member of networks such as:
- Pact for Skills
- EAfA
- EDEH
- Lifelong Learning Platform
- World Federation of Colleges Polytechnics (WFCP)
- VET4EU2
- CoP CoVEs
- Community of European VET practitioners (EPALE)
- ALL Digital
- EARLALL
- European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)
EfVET has a dynamic team based in Brussels and remotely responsible for the implementation of the key activities and the Governance Bodies of EfVET (Executive Management Team and Board of EfVET):
Representation at European level, with the main purpose of influencing policies and decisions directly and indirectly affecting VET systems in Europe (by taking part in the working groups set up by the European Commission and other European Agencies whose work is directly related to VET such as CEDEFOP)
Facilitation and promotion of networking opportunities among its members, providing access to knowledge resources, exchanges, tools, projects, partnerships and initiatives (thematic teams, working groups, other)
Acting as a key dissemination and stakeholder engagement partner in projects and initiatives carried out by both EfVET and by its members
Mission
EfVET aims to enhance VET provision across all members through active networking activities for education and training stakeholders and to generate capacity to influence policy and advocacy for VET at European and international levels.
Vision
EfVET aspires to become a leading contributor to the enhancement of VET in Europe and beyond through networking and advocacy.
History
EfVET was founded in the Netherlands in 1991 to offer advocacy for Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Europe. At the time, VET institutions faced challenges to gain recognition as a key educational pathway. The Academic/Vocational divide was considerable, and youth and adults alike were significantly disengaged as a result. It was time to build a network of VET stakeholders to secure a voice across Europe in both the policy and practice arenas and to promote networking and knowledge-sharing actions in VET. From a slow beginning, EfVET became a reality with members increasingly drawn to EfVET, recognising that this organisation could become an active voice for VET in Europe and act as a conduit for networking and knowledge-sharing across the VET sector in Europe.
In 1992, EfVET launched its First Annual Conference entitled ‘The Role of Colleges in a Changing Economy’ hosted by the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands in Palma de Mallorca. That launch conference, funded and supported by the European Commission and the European Institute of Education and Social Policy, was attended by 80+ delegates from 9 different European countries, as well as a delegation from China.
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