Early School Leaving Seminar: VET and Youth Work as an alternative learning pathway

A Seminar including visits and workshops: ‘Early school leaving (ESL) is an obstacle to economic growth and employment’(1). The EU has set the target of reducing ESL to 10% across member states by 2020. In 2014, the Ministry for Education and Employment in Malta launched a strategic plan to prevent ESL. In 2013, the rate in Malta was at 20.9%, which was the second highest in the EU(2). Studies also show that in Malta 49% of students further their studies via the Vocational education stream (3). This seminar is an opportunity for professionals to exchange ideas of common interest on ESL. It aims at encouraging the sharing of good practice to increase European cooperation this issue. Moreover, it will look into ways on how to encourage cross sectoral cooperation between schools and other institutions involved in providing VET. Participants will: - Meet representatives and persons working in the field; - Discuss and analyse strengths and weaknesses of approaches adopted in different member states in particular when providing vocational education and youth work as an alternative learning pathway; - Focus on the importance of career guidance service and youth work at all levels of education; - Explore ways of cooperating and working together on projects under Erasmus+. References: (1): http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/pdf/themes/29_early_school_leaving.pdf (2): http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/39890/newly_launched_strategy_aims_to_half_early_school_ leaving_by_2020#.U5mgMHKSy2I (3): Ministry for Education and Employment, (2014) A strategic plan for the prevention of early school leaving in Malta.