Competences for a Democratic Culture in VET

Aligned with the Council of Europe’s Education Strategy for 2024–2030, focusing on “Learners First,” this initia­ti­ve unders­cores the inte­gra­ti­on of Competences for Democratic Culture (CDC) into VET to enhance citi­zen­ship education quality. To bolster these endea­vours, the Expert Group on the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) and VET has been renewed for 2024–2025, com­pri­sing 23 repre­sen­ta­ti­ves from member states and observers to the Steering Committee for Education. Jörg Markowitsch is one of the experts and will con­tri­bu­te to develop chapters on CDC in initial and con­ti­nuing VET teacher training and on CDC in in-company training.

Building on the recently adopted Guidance Document on VET, a joint publi­ca­ti­on shall mark  a pivotal step in the Council of Europe’s com­mit­ment to ensure VET systems not only prepare learners for employment but also foster active citi­zen­ship in demo­cra­tic societies.

In April 2024, the experts convened for the first con­fe­rence on RFCDC and VET, held both in Strasbourg and online. During the con­fe­rence, dis­cus­sions revolved around the concept note of the upcoming publi­ca­ti­on, delving into key areas such as cur­ri­cu­lum, assess­ment, teacher training (both initial and ongoing), in-company training, CDC imple­men­ta­ti­on in VET schools, the role of social partners, inclusion, and learners’ voice and participation.

Publication:

Schmid-Heher, Stefan; Markowitsch, Jörg (2025): Fostering Competences for Democratic Culture in VET Teacher Training. In: Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU): Learning Democracy in Vocational Education and Training in Europe: An anthology, pp. 44–55.