Lifelong learning - the role of workplace learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises

1. Eden 2005 Annual ConferenceHelsinki, 20-23 June Lifelong learning - the role of workplace learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises The challenges we face Mara Brugia, Head of Area, Cedefop Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

2. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • Political agenda of achieving the Lisbon goals of 2010 not matched by economic developments • European demographic forecasts show a shrinking and ageing workforce up to 2020 • Older workers forming the core of the workforce Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

3. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • Currently 80 million EU citizens are low skilled • By 2010 almost half of the net additional jobs will require tertiary level qualifications • Almost 40% will require upper secondary level • Logically, job prospects for the low skilled will decline • In other words half the EU workforce (100 million) • require upskilling Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

4. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • Unsettling prospects in the current European economy • SMEs in Europe account for 99% of all businesses • They provide employment for 74 million people Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

5. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • eLearning is an enabler of upskilling in large European companies (60% of training needs in ICT sector) • Uptake in SMEs is slow throughout Europe • Largely limited to managers and ICT staff Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

6. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • Decisive factors of influence are: • lack of a training culture within SMEs • lack of appropriate training materials • the attitude of individual managers • lack of access to sufficient bandwidth Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

7. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • Research shows that most learning takes place in work social situations • Informal in nature • It is a change of the learning paradigm • Must become embedded in the work organisation Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

8. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • The main objectives of ICT supported learning: • increase access to learning opportunities with increased flexibility and modes of delivery • enhance the quality of the learning experiences • increase the efficiency of the organisation, by reducing costs and increasing productivity Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

9. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • What are the obstacles SMEs face? • Much current eLearning simply replicate books on a computer • eLearning needs to be about learning by doing • eLearning industry: shift from technological to pedagogical perspective Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

10. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • What are the obstacles SMEs face? • The issue of the learning culture • What motivates the learner in the SME? • Do we really know the training and learning needs of SMEs? • Do we know what elearning materials and infrastructures are available to SMEs? Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

11. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • What are the obstacles SME’s face? • Elearning is not a cheap solution • Materials should be recycled for different uses • Issue of open standards is essential • What about the changing role of the trainer? Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

12. Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face • The issue is a complex one • What are the funding responsibilities of the public and private sector? • Already substantial difference over occupational social groups • Raises the issue of social exclusion Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

13. For more information: http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/Projects_Networks/Elearning Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June

14. Cedefop’s eLearning team Mara Brugia, Head of Area B E-mail:mb@cedefop.eu.int Colin McCullough, eLearning, eMedia and Knowledge Management E-mail:cmc@cedefop.eu.int Eila Heikkila, eLearning project manager E-mail:ehe@cedefop.eu.int Virginie Aimard, project assistant E-mail:vai@cedefop.eu.int Brussels Office: 20, avenue d’Auderghem B-1040 Brussels Tel.: (32-2) 230 19 78 Fax: (32-2) 230 58 24 E-mail:info.be@cedefop.eu.int P.O. Box 22427 GR-55102 Thessaloniki Greece Tel.: (30) 23 10 49 01 11 Fax: (30) 23 10 49 01 02 E-mail:info@cedefop.eu.int Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June