PURPOSE: to update the objectives, missions and governance of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop).
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2019/128 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75.
CONTENT: since it was established in 1975, Cedefop has played an important role in supporting the development of a common vocational education and training policy. At the same time, the concept and significance of vocational training has evolved under the influence of changing labour markets, technological developments, particularly in the digital area, and increasing labour mobility.
Objectives and missions
Cedefop's objective shall be to support the promotion, development and implementation of Union policies in the field of vocational education and training as well as skills and qualifications policies by working together with the Commission, the Member States and the social partners.
To that end Cedefop shall enhance and disseminate knowledge, provide evidence and services for the purpose of policy making, including research-based conclusions, and shall facilitate knowledge sharing among and between Union and national actors.
In particular, the Agency may analyse (i) trends in policies and systems in vocational education and training, skills and qualifications; (ii) labour market trends in relation to skills and qualifications; (iii) developments in the definition and delivery of qualifications, their organisation and their function in the labour market; (iv) developments in the field of validation of non-formal and informal learning. It may also provide forums for the exchange of experience and information between governments, social partners and other interested parties at national level, and establish a strategy for relations with third countries.
Cedefop's headquarters shall be in Thessaloniki.
Administrative and management structure
This is composed of:
- a Management Board composed of (i) for each Member State, one member representing the government, one member representing employers' organisations and one member representing workers' organisations; (ii) three members representing the Commission and (iii) one independent expert appointed by the European Parliament;
- an Executive Board to prepare Board meetings and support its decision-making and monitoring processes; it may take some provisional decisions on behalf of the Board when the urgency so requires;
- an Executive Director, responsible for the overall management of the Agency in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Management Board, including day-to-day administration and the management of financial and human resources. It shall report to the European Parliament on the performance of its tasks when requested to do so.
The members of the Management Board and their alternates shall be appointed on the basis of their knowledge in the field of vocational education and training, skills and qualifications, with a view to ensuring a balanced representation of women and men. Each member, upon taking office, shall sign a written statement certifying that he or she is not in situation of conflict of interest.
Programming
Each year the Management Board will adopt a programming document containing the annual and multiannual programming, on the basis of a draft drawn up by the Administrative Director, taking into account the Commission's opinion. The programming document shall become definitive after the final adoption of the general budget of the Union.
Budget
In order to ensure Cedefop’s full autonomy and independence and to enable it properly to carry out its objectives and tasks in accordance with this Regulation, Cedefop shall be granted an adequate and autonomous budget with revenue stemming mainly from a contribution from the general budget of the Union. Cedefop's accounts should be audited by the Court of Auditors.
Cedefop's work should complement that of the European Training Foundation and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) where they have similar areas of interest, while promoting tools that work well, such as memoranda of understanding.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 20.2.2019.