EduChange – Going Istanbul and Izmir

In an expanded Europe, transnational mobility in the labour market has become a reality, and vocational education must take this into account. The integration of Turks or Germans of Turkish descent living in Berlin is a key political aspect and a challenge for all areas of life, including the education sector and the labour market.

“EduChange” was a mobility project with a key focus on competence development for VET managers. It was directed towards trainers of different branches of the skilled trades and service sectors, vocational school teachers and towards experts of guilds and administrations. In autumn 2007, two groups from Berlin met colleagues in Istanbul and Izmir for a one week experience exchange. The focus was on issues such as the European Qualification Framework, accessibility to the vocational education system, framework conditions of education policy, intercultural dialogue and know-how-transfer, as well as possibilities of further cooperation.

The BGZ, as applicant and coordinator, took on overall responsibility for the project. “EduChange” has shown how key aspects of the Berlin integration policy can be brought to life

Participation in a Leonardo project is highly recommended for Berlin craftsmen. It is very important that an international exchange of ideas concerning the advantages and disadvantages of the different vocational training systems takes place. This is the best way to establish a long-term european vocational training system which unites the top ideas in the field of education with the expertise of the different federal states.

Karlfried Hesse, former Berlin-Brandenburg Guild of Dental Technicians

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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