28
Oct

Making Skills Recognition More Inclusive

How Can the Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning Better Serve the Most Vulnerable?

Organiser: European Competence Centre for Social Innovation

Making skills visible through the reco­gni­ti­on and vali­da­ti­on of non-formal and informal learning has been a long­stan­ding goal of European education, labour, and social policy. The European Social Fund (ESF) has been instru­men­tal in deve­lo­ping Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning (VNFIL) systems across Europe. However, these systems often remain out of reach for those with low or no formal qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons, par­ti­cu­lar­ly people facing multiple, inter­sec­ting disadvantages.

The event will bring together ESF+ stake­hol­ders, NGOs, and Managing Authorities to assess how vali­da­ti­on is currently supported under ESF+ (2021–2027) and explore future direc­tions. Participants will also gain insights into how vali­da­ti­on has been inte­gra­ted into Germany’s Vocational Training Act and into Portugal’s Qualifica Programme.

To attend the meeting and receive the relevant infor­ma­ti­on, we kindly ask you to register using the REGISTRATION LINK by Wednesday 22 October 2025 COB.

10:00 – 12:00
Online
Webinar


Sep
16–
18
09:00
Universität Rostock
Conference

Berufsbildungswissenschaft in Zeiten globaler Transformation und demo­kra­ti­scher Verantwortung

Jahrestagung der Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik

Sektion Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik (BWP) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Erziehungswissenschaft (DGfE)

Die berufliche Bildung obliegt einer besonderen Verantwortung, da sie die demokratische Teilhabe stärkt, gerechte Chancen ermöglicht und die Menschen auf eine vernetzte Welt vorbereitet. Mit der BWP 2026 möchten wir zeigen, wie Berufsbildungswissenschaft Orientierung bietet, und zwar evidenzbasiert, praxisnah und dialogisch. Der Call for Papers ist offen bis 28. Februar 2026


Sep
17
10:00-11:00
Zoom
Forum

ENE webinar: From Graz to the World: Inspiring the Future of Vocational Excellence

ETF Network for Excellence (ENE) 

Following last year's Forum on Vocational Excellence in Graz "Dual Education and Training for Competitive Regions", the 2027 webinar will focus on key messages from Graz Forum on the role of dual education and training, how cooperation beetween VET providers and regional stakeholders can aid in driving vocational excellence as well as perspectives on developing dual education and training approaches to especially respond to regional skills needs, skills development and competitiveness. The webinar will provide an opportunity to discuss emerging trends, share lessons learned and identify ideas that can inspire and strengthen Centres of Vocational Excellence across ETF partner countries. The ETF Network for Excellence (ENE) promotes peer learning and knowledge exchange among Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), helping members learn from each other's experiences and translate innovative practices into action.


Sep
21–
23
09:00
Cologne, Germany
Conference

Sustainability in Vocational Education and Training (VET)

5th G.R.E.A.T. Conference

German Research Center for Comparative Vocational Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.), University of Cologne

The conference will address current issues and findings within the context of sustainability in VET. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), initiated in 2015 in the United Nations’ publication ‘Transforming our World’, declare VET as a central aspect of Goal 4 of the SDGs, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” (UN, 2015, 17). Within the context of the conference, a broad understanding of the concept of sustainability will be applied, integrating scientific papers from a wide range of perspectives. Consequently, both conceptual and empirical contributions are welcomed. In addition to ecological topics, social and economic issues can also be the focus of investigation, whether at the macro, meso or micro-level of VET. Contributions may also focus on formal, non-formal, or informal learning, as well as on topics such as green VET, gender, migration, demographic change, AI, or other areas that can be meaningfully linked to sustainability in VET. The call for papers is open until 15 January 2026


Sep
23–
25
10:00
Shanghai, China
Conference

Shaping a Skills-Driven Future

Worldskills Conference 2026

WorldSkills International

The WorldSkills Conference 2026 is the premier global platform where leaders, experts, and young people come together to shape the future of skills. Taking place alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the Conference will unite diverse voices to accelerate innovation, equity, and excellence in skills development worldwide. This is not only a gathering, but a call to action – empowering policy makers, industry, and education to share best practices and deliver skills solutions in a rapidly changing world and shape the United Nation’s post-2030 agenda.


Sep
24–
25
17:00
Vienna
Conference

International Conference on Inequity in Education

Austrian Launch of the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2026: Countdown to 2030: Access and Equity

Department of Education, University of Vienna, Austrian Commission for UNESCO, Austrian Foundation for Development Research

The event aims to discuss achievements and challenges related to the implementation of SDG4 at the global level, with a particular focus on access to and equity in education. It seeks to promote critical examination of the topic from multiple perspectives and to contribute to the further development of dialogue among diverse stakeholder groups, including policy makers, researchers, education workers, and civil society. Call for papers open until 30 April 2026


Sep
29
11:00
Virtual
Webinar

Education at a Glance 2026

Education and Skills global webinar

OECD

Education at a Glance is the OECD’s definitive guide for understanding the state of education worldwide. It provides a comprehensive picture of who participates in education, how systems are funded and organised, and the outcomes they deliver. Bringing together internationally comparable data on educational attainment, enrolment, financing and labour market outcomes, the report equips policymakers with robust evidence to identify challenges, benchmark progress and drive meaningful reform. This year’s edition has a special focus on teacher shortages, examining where this is a particular issue and the impact that shortages can have on classrooms. The virtual launch event will begin with opening remarks from OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann, followed by the presentation of key findings by OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher and audience questions.