Fourth report on vocational training research in Europe

Cedefop has published its fourth report on vocational training research in Europe. Europe’s economy needs to keep its citizens in the workforce for as long as possible. No longer do companies and countries favour ‘early exit’ for their workers: the younger age groups in Europe are not large enough to replace departing workers.

Modernising vocational education and training’ is the overarching theme of the 4th research report. It aims to provide and discuss the evidence-base for the process of Enhanced cooperation in vocational education and training which sets priorities for reforming vocational education and training (VET) to contribute to the Lisbon process. Some of the main finding of the study are:

  • The share of older people in the working age population (50‐64) will increase from 29% in 2010 to 34% in 2030.
  • The share of younger people (15‐24) will decline from 18% in 2010 to 16.6% in 2030.
  • Employment of workers beyond the age of 65 will increase from 2.8 million in 2010 to 4.9 million in 2030.

An international workshop on ‘Working at old age – Emerging theories and empirical perspectives on ageing and work’ is to be held at Cedefop, Thessaloniki, on 29‐30 September 2008. By organising this workshop, Cedefop aims to highlight research on:

  • The relationship between work performance and age
  • Insights from adult learning theories on ageing and work
  • Individual and environmental factors enabling longer working lives

About Cedefop

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), an agency of the European Union based in Thessaloniki, Greece, supports European policy‐making in the field of vocational education and training.