(ANS – Bruxelles) – At the headquarters of the European Commission on 7-8 June there was the first “European Business Forum” on vocational training. Among the institutions taking part there was also the new-restructured organisation “Don Bosco International” which through its new Executive Secretary, Mattia Tosato, brought the experience of the Salesians over more than a hundred years in the field.

The Conference considered the challenges and prospects regarding the qualifications needed by the European work force and on the role vocational training can have bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and the practical experience required by companies and businesses. 

In a world more and more marked by rapid technological  changes and new work models, while the European population ages and youth unemployment increases, education and vocational training can become the key factors in reviving the economy in the continent and making it more competitive so as to remain at the centre of international economic policy.

In this situation, like other political institutions,  European businesses have tried to find various solutions to improve the development of skills of workers today and in the future, to ensure greater competitiveness in a globalised economy.

During the Conference there was therefore discussion regarding the  best way forward, whether to use internal or external training schemes, and what new role should be given to European policies.

On this last point it was observed that on the one hand the European Union had an essential role financing through official funds various activities but on the other hand a request was made for a more systematic approach to the exchange and improvement in quality of teachers, and to the promotion of projects in which the various sectors of production could identify the skills needed and communicate this to the educators.

In the coming months in the light of the objectives of the “Europe 2020” and of the Lisbon process, the European Commission will have to decide what to do. Certainly it will be necessary to insist on the importance of a education seen as the all-round development of the individual and also of the key role of centres for vocational training and the value of the working contribution of someone who has chosen a different educational path from that of the university.

Published 04/07/2012