BARBARA HÖLLER
QALLL – Quality Assurance in Lifelong Learning with a Focus on Vocational Education & Training and Adult Education
Since the launch of the Lifelong Learning Programme in 2007, hundreds of good projects in the field of vocational education and training and adult learning have been funded. Financed by the European Commission, the thematic network1 QALLL (01/2010 – 12/2012) monitors these past activities and pursues networking activity to better exploit the results of these projects and draw lessons and good practices from the experiences. Taking part and presenting the network’s activities and project results at the Conference on Developing cooperation between VET, higher education and adult learning in response to the challenge of lifelong learning – held in Warsaw in September 23rd 2011 - provided an excellent opportunity to network with high-level stakeholders. Thematic networking was initiated by the European Commission with a view to the impact of innovative projects in the sectoral lifelong learning programmes being increased. Within the framework of a thematic network, a group of national Agencies for Lifelong Learning works together on common issues concerning education and training. At present, five thematic networks are working on European policy priorities in education, training and lifelong learning. 2 SThe New Skills Network focuses on upgrading and matching skills to labour-market needs, the Inclusion Network on working with disadvantaged groups, the City-M Network on further training of teachers and training staff, and the NetECVET Network on the implementation of ECVET. That leaves the thematic network known as QALLL, which focuses on quality assurance in both vocational education and training and adult
1
2
QALLL is one of fi ve Thematic Networks currently funded under the Transversal Programme within the overall LLP. For further details of the current and former Thematic Networks see http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learningprogramme/ doc2414_en.htm. For more information on European Thematic Networking see: http://ec.europa.eu/ education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc2414_en.htm.
DEVELOPING COOPER ATION BET WEEN VET, HIGHER EDUC ATION AND ADULT LEARNING IN RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF LIFELONG LEARNING
297