Excellence in work based learning

Work-based learning in centres of vocational excellence

From 2020 till 2022, this initiative explored how centres of vocational excellence (CoVEs) could support work-based learning in companies. Work-based learning – one of the eight priority themes of the ETF's Network for Excellence – is a crucial aspect of education-business collaboration. Cooperation and coordination between schools and employers is at the core of successful work-based learning.

The six countries involved in the initiative were Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, North Macedonia and Kazakhstan.

How did it work?

Key activities included the development of partnerships between EU and non-EU CoVEs. Coaching and peer learning activities were provided to the network members by EU-based CoVEs, specifically from the Baltic countries through the Latvian Vocational Education Association. More specifically:

  • a peer learning activity held in Latvia in spring 2022;
  • progress analysis for all participants, identifying strengths, weaknesses, barriers, and enablers for the improvement of work-based learning and the sharing of best practices. 
Why the Baltic countries?  
  • Recent experience in vocational education reform, in particular introduction of high-quality work-based learning
  • Vocational education and training systems build on strategic partnerships between public authorities and social partners
  • Strong institutions with excellent school-business cooperation (e.g. vocational school in Ogre, Latvia)

Additionally, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have formed the Baltic Alliance for Apprenticeships (BAfA) and have collaborated on two consecutive Erasmus+ programmes:

  1. National Authorities for Apprenticeships: Implementing Work-Based Learning in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia (WBL Balt) 2014–17
  2. Testing New Approaches to Training VET and Workplace Tutors for Work-Based Learning (TTT4WBL) 2017–20
Baseline study

In 2021, the Latvian Vocational Education Association and the ETF conducted a study in seven CoVEs across the six participating countries (with two centres in Kazakhstan), to map practices, identify challenges, and highlight opportunities for collaboration and development in work-based learning. 

See the summary paper in EN, FR and RU: The role of centres of vocational excellence in work-based learning: Initial findings from a study based on practices from six ETF partner countries (2021).

The study was supplemented by a series of coaching sessions. 

The CoVEs involved in the initiative benefited from peer-to-peer learning activities provided by other EU CoVEs, particularly from Latvia and other Baltic countries, through the Latvian Vocational Education Association. These sessions used contacts from public authorities, business associations, chambers, employers, and schools, providing access to proven tools and methodologies. 

Sectors represented

The CoVEs involved represented various sectors, including:

More information

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Activity Partners