Page 13 - Learning-while-working-Success-stories-on-workplace-learning-in-Europe

Executive summary

Cedefop’s report Learning while working: success stories on workplace
learning in Europe presents an overview of key trends in adult learning in the
workplace. It takes stock of previous research carried out by Cedefop between
2003 and 2010 on key topics for adult learning: governance and the learning
regions; social partner roles in lifelong learning policies; training in SMEs;
cost-sharing mechanisms to support continuing training; VET teacher and
in-company trainer emerging roles; changing competence requirements and
professional development; older workers’ learning needs; lifelong guidance;
and validation of non-formal and informal learning. The report recognises the
central role of the workplace in lifelong learning and employment strategies.
This review of workplace learning presents and discusses four driving forces
for adult learning policies and strategies at the European, national, regional
and sectoral level:
• public strategies that combine a range of support measures, services and
incentives with the aim of both widening access to learning opportunities in
the workplace and increasing adult participation in education and training,
with guidance and counselling playing a fundamental role;
• the social partners’ contributions to developing and expanding learning
provision in the workplace, through collective bargaining and specific actions
in the working environment that motivate workers to keep on learning, to
move one step up and even acquire a qualification;
• sectoral initiatives and partnerships led by enterprises, in which skill
development is a means to stimulate innovation in enterprises and economic
growth, and to anticipate and manage sectoral changes and restructuring,
with a specific focus on SMEs;
• the professional development of in-company trainers, to expand the quality
and relevance of skill development initiatives for the workforce.
In considering key success factors and challenges related to workplace
learning, the report examines effective policies, strategic partnerships,
structures, and instruments that aim to expand adult learning in the workplace.
To increase participation in learning, it is essential to combine a range of
incentives, learning approaches, and services, including the validation of non-
formal and informal learning and career guidance. The commitment of a broad
range of players at national, regional, local and sectoral level is needed to