Projects & Services: Studies & Analyses


Projects & Services: Studies & Analyses

European VET instruments


The study focused on two instru­ments: the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET).

Skills audits across EU member states


Skills audits are proposed as a procedure for iden­ti­fy­ing and docu­men­ting knowledge, skills and com­pe­ten­ces. In this study, their use in practice is analysed and sug­ge­sti­ons for impro­ve­ment are developed. 

The Social Dimension in Higher Education

In the context of the deve­lo­p­ment process for a “National Strategy for the Social Dimension at Universities”, 3s examined measures that con­tri­bu­te to the social dimension in higher education in Austria via a survey. 

Analysing regional effects of further education and related public support schemes

The three-year research project aimed at deve­lo­ping a framework for studying the rela­ti­on­ship between further education and its support by public funding schemes and the economic deve­lo­p­ment on regional level. 

How can youth work support entre­pre­neu­ri­al thinking?

The overall purpose of the study was to ‘explore how youth work and non-formal learning can help to foster entre­pre­neur­ship and so com­ple­ment initia­ti­ves under­ta­ken in other sectors. 

Global com­pa­ra­ti­ve study of qualifications

This study was based on the com­pa­ra­ti­ve analysis of the profile and content of four voca­tio­nal education and training qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons in 26 countries across the world, and from four different continents. 

How to track the career paths of VET graduates?

Initiative on graduate tracking with regard to the “New Skills Agenda for Europe”. 

Mapping of initial VET qualifications

The key objective of this study was to con­tri­bu­te to better under­stan­ding of the com­pa­ra­bi­li­ty of qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons from initial voca­tio­nal education and training (IVET).

Measuring skills systems and coun­ter­act skills mismatch

The purpose of this contract was twofold: On the one hand, the project developed a metho­do­lo­gy and a policy tool – a skills moni­to­ring index – that can be used to evaluate the per­for­mance of EU Member States’ skills systems. 

Evalauation of Austrian study pro­gram­mes with limited admission

In 2014, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (bmwfw) com­mis­sio­ned 3s to evaluate the effects of paragraph § 124b UG (University Act) 2002. 

Evaluation of top-scho­lar­­ships in Lower Austria


3s was com­mis­sio­ned by the province of Lower Austria to evaluate its ‘TOP Stipendien NÖ’ (TOP scho­lar­ships Lower Austria) that support excellent and labour market oriented study pro­gram­mes in demand by the job market. 

European VET instruments


The study focused on two instru­ments: the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET).

Skills audits across EU member states


Skills audits are proposed as a procedure for iden­ti­fy­ing and docu­men­ting knowledge, skills and com­pe­ten­ces. In this study, their use in practice is analysed and sug­ge­sti­ons for impro­ve­ment are developed. 

The Social Dimension in Higher Education

In the context of the deve­lo­p­ment process for a “National Strategy for the Social Dimension at Universities”, 3s examined measures that con­tri­bu­te to the social dimension in higher education in Austria via a survey. 

Analysing regional effects of further education and related public support schemes

The three-year research project aimed at deve­lo­ping a framework for studying the rela­ti­on­ship between further education and its support by public funding schemes and the economic deve­lo­p­ment on regional level. 

How can youth work support entre­pre­neu­ri­al thinking?

The overall purpose of the study was to ‘explore how youth work and non-formal learning can help to foster entre­pre­neur­ship and so com­ple­ment initia­ti­ves under­ta­ken in other sectors. 

Global com­pa­ra­ti­ve study of qualifications

This study was based on the com­pa­ra­ti­ve analysis of the profile and content of four voca­tio­nal education and training qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons in 26 countries across the world, and from four different continents. 

How to track the career paths of VET graduates?

Initiative on graduate tracking with regard to the “New Skills Agenda for Europe”. 

Mapping of initial VET qualifications

The key objective of this study was to con­tri­bu­te to better under­stan­ding of the com­pa­ra­bi­li­ty of qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons from initial voca­tio­nal education and training (IVET).

Measuring skills systems and coun­ter­act skills mismatch

The purpose of this contract was twofold: On the one hand, the project developed a metho­do­lo­gy and a policy tool – a skills moni­to­ring index – that can be used to evaluate the per­for­mance of EU Member States’ skills systems. 

Evalauation of Austrian study pro­gram­mes with limited admission

In 2014, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (bmwfw) com­mis­sio­ned 3s to evaluate the effects of paragraph § 124b UG (University Act) 2002. 

Evaluation of top-scho­lar­­ships in Lower Austria


3s was com­mis­sio­ned by the province of Lower Austria to evaluate its ‘TOP Stipendien NÖ’ (TOP scho­lar­ships Lower Austria) that support excellent and labour market oriented study pro­gram­mes in demand by the job market. 

European VET instruments


The study focused on two instru­ments: the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET).

Skills audits across EU member states


Skills audits are proposed as a procedure for iden­ti­fy­ing and docu­men­ting knowledge, skills and com­pe­ten­ces. In this study, their use in practice is analysed and sug­ge­sti­ons for impro­ve­ment are developed. 

The Social Dimension in Higher Education

In the context of the deve­lo­p­ment process for a “National Strategy for the Social Dimension at Universities”, 3s examined measures that con­tri­bu­te to the social dimension in higher education in Austria via a survey. 

Analysing regional effects of further education and related public support schemes

The three-year research project aimed at deve­lo­ping a framework for studying the rela­ti­on­ship between further education and its support by public funding schemes and the economic deve­lo­p­ment on regional level. 

How can youth work support entre­pre­neu­ri­al thinking?

The overall purpose of the study was to ‘explore how youth work and non-formal learning can help to foster entre­pre­neur­ship and so com­ple­ment initia­ti­ves under­ta­ken in other sectors. 

Global com­pa­ra­ti­ve study of qualifications

This study was based on the com­pa­ra­ti­ve analysis of the profile and content of four voca­tio­nal education and training qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons in 26 countries across the world, and from four different continents. 

How to track the career paths of VET graduates?

Initiative on graduate tracking with regard to the “New Skills Agenda for Europe”. 

Mapping of initial VET qualifications

The key objective of this study was to con­tri­bu­te to better under­stan­ding of the com­pa­ra­bi­li­ty of qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons from initial voca­tio­nal education and training (IVET).

Measuring skills systems and coun­ter­act skills mismatch

The purpose of this contract was twofold: On the one hand, the project developed a metho­do­lo­gy and a policy tool – a skills moni­to­ring index – that can be used to evaluate the per­for­mance of EU Member States’ skills systems. 

Evalauation of Austrian study pro­gram­mes with limited admission

In 2014, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (bmwfw) com­mis­sio­ned 3s to evaluate the effects of paragraph § 124b UG (University Act) 2002. 

Evaluation of top-scho­lar­­ships in Lower Austria


3s was com­mis­sio­ned by the province of Lower Austria to evaluate its ‘TOP Stipendien NÖ’ (TOP scho­lar­ships Lower Austria) that support excellent and labour market oriented study pro­gram­mes in demand by the job market. 

Inclusion and Diversity in Erasmus+ practice

3s conducts research to provide valuable insights for the newly estab­lished SALTO Resource Centre to help design and shape their future offer. 

Towards a new gene­ra­ti­on of Individual Learning Accounts

In a study for Cedefop, a 3s led research con­sor­ti­um explores the potential of the new Council Recommendation on Individual Learning Accounts and aims to develop tailored gui­de­lines for working towards the implementation. 

Skill shortages in Vienna

In pre­pa­ra­ti­on for a Vienna Centre for Skilled Workers, the foun­da­ti­ons for regular reporting on the topic are being laid. 3s is deve­lo­ping a handbook on the relevant strategic fields of action in Vienna. 

Progress on vali­da­ti­on in the EU?

The objective of this study is to update the European Inventory on vali­da­ti­on of non-formal and informal learning. The study is coor­di­na­ted by ICF (BE) with 3s as con­sor­ti­um partner.