IVETA Europe actively organises regional conferences. Its aim is to highlight relevant TVET (technical, vocational, educational and training) issues and engage with the wider educational community about enhancing awareness and techniques of TVET.
The conference is organised jointly by Warnborough College and a partner organisation in the host country.
Malta was chosen as the location for the inaugural conference because of its excellent infrastructure, educational reputation, wonderful weather, and beautiful surrounds. The Maltese government has given a lot of importance and value to vocational education — especially with the establishment and extension of MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) and the launching of the my journey initiative (which was introduced in state secondary schools). The conference was hosted and organised by IVETA member, Mater Boni Consilii School.
The second European regional conference was held in Sofia, Bulgaria thanks to IVETA member Know and Can Association. Again, there was cross-representation from government and private organisations, which really provided a good overview of best practice in the sector.
2020 is our second year of the Europe regional conferences, and a third regional conference was scheduled to take place in Gijón, Spain in May. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to that. In its place, we are now holding a virtual conference.
Host: Warnborough College
Warnborough College was founded in 1973 and provides a range of educational options and opportunities directly through its schools in Canterbury, UK and in Dublin, Ireland. Its President, Dr Brenden Tempest-Mogg, is currently the Executive Director of IVETA, while Vice-President, Dr Julian Ng, is the current Vice-President (Europe) of IVETA.
Apart from training students directly, Warnborough College works with companies and other organisations to create bespoke training opportunities, including degree pathway options.
It also participates in transnational projects, including those funded or co-funded under the ERASMUS+ scheme.
Skillman.eu
Skillman.eu was launched in 2014 and received the European Commission support in 2015 in the field of education and training. In its specific field of intervention it is currently became the largest EU multilateral networkcombining a solid knowledge of skills needs and training practices with a well organised systemic and sector-related information system.
The network was founded by well-known VET providers and industry leaders like Scandinavian Airline Systems, FIAT FCA, Jaguar Land Rover, the Italian National Research Centre, TKNIKA and other organisations and accreditations bodies from various EU countries.
Currently Skillman.eu is joined by regional, national and international organizations also based outside the EU, including new affiliated industries, notable universities and research centres as well NGOs, public bodies and other umbrella organisations, universities and training providers.