Promoting a culture of democracy in vocational education and training

The Education Department launched a project on the implementation of the RFCDC in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in 2022, with the aim to develop guidance supporting the development of a culture of democracy in VET systems in member States.

This initiative is now part of the Council of Europe Education Strategy 2024-2030, "Learners First", and contributes to its Pillar 1 on “Renewing the democratic and civic mission of education”, which underlines the importance of integrating Competences for Democratic Culture in VET to promote quality citizenship education.

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Vocational Education and Training experts discuss new publication in a first Conference

Vocational Education and Training experts discuss new publication in a first Conference

New Guidance on Integrating Democratic Competences in Vocational Education and Training Announced

New Guidance on Integrating Democratic Competences in Vocational Education and Training Announced

Education stakeholders discuss policies, practices and strategies to promote a culture of democracy in Vocational Education and Training

Education stakeholders discuss policies, practices and strategies to promote a culture of democracy in Vocational Education and Training

First thematic event on developing a culture of democracy in vocational education and training held in Strasbourg

First thematic event on developing a culture of democracy in vocational education and training held in Strasbourg

What is the objective?

This initiative aims to support VET systems in preparing learners not only for employment but also for active participation as citizens in culturally diverse democratic societies.
 

Who benefits from the project?

Policymakers in ministries responsible for VET, VET teachers, trainers and learners.
 

How does it work?

An Expert Group on RFCDC and VET composed of 23 delegates of member states and observer organisations to the Steering Committee for Education was established in 2022 and renewed in 2024. The group meets regularly to take stock of the policies, projects and practices related to RFCDC and VET, shares good and innovative practices on RFCDC and VET from member States and contributes to the content of the developed guidance.
 

What has been achieved so far?

In 2022-2023, the Council of Europe developed the first guidance document on RFCDC and VET. This guidance document showed the complexity of the VET systems in Europe in areas such as curriculum development, the diverse nature of the learning environment, and the differences in the pedagogical capacity of VET teachers and in-company trainers.

In particular, in dual systems where learners (apprentices) spend most of the time at the workplace rather than in the VET-school, enterprises play a the crucial role ("dual systems require dual efforts").

The main ideas of the guidance document on VET are: 
  • Although the need to develop CDC is acknowledged in VET-legislation in most countries, it is often encapsulated in short courses of "citizenship education" at the VET-school rather than being integrated as a transversal theme across the range of education and training activities.
  • Practices conducive to integrating CDC in VET schools include inclusive pedagogical methods, activities and events in VET schools promoting debates and educational activities that develop CDC, participation in representative bodies of VET learners, such as VET school governance.
  • Practices conducive to integrating CDC in the context of work include apprentices’ participation on social dialogue platforms and dedicated civic education seminars for apprentices.
  • In most European countries, VET teacher qualification or requirements to teach do not include CDC or elements of CDC.
  • At the system level, there is a need for consensus between all major stakeholders to develop relevant legislation and curricula that reflect CDC. CDC can be integrated as a transversal theme and a visible element in VET programmes, in school and company contexts.
  • At organisational level, a shared outlook is required to agree on areas of intervention and methods, e.g. integrating elements of CDC in the learning objectives and/or outcomes.

The guidance document can be found here 

 

What do we expect to achieve next?

Building on this first guidance document, the Council of Europe is developing a new publication on promoting a culture of democracy in Vocational Education and Training in Europe, expected in 2025.

This new publication will analyse more deeply the relation between the RFCDC and VET in various areas and topics, collect examples of policies and practices of Competences for Democratic Culture in VET, as well as present lessons learnt and pointers to future direction.

Examples of policy and practice

In 2024, members of the Expert Group on the RFCDC and VET and of the EPAN Network shared examples of policies and practices related to education for democracy in VET, to contribute to the upcoming publication. These examples can be found in the map below.

The content of and the opinions expressed in these examples are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Council of Europe.