dr. Vitalis Nakrošis, Programme manager, Public Policy and Management Institute

1. Key discussion points and results from Section 1. Co-operation between science and business: needs, reality and promotion with the support of the EU Structural Funds dr. Vitalis Nakrošis, Programme manager, Public Policy and Management Institute

2. Importance of co-operation Links between business and science are important for competitiveness; but the state has other legitimate goals; Co-operation between business and science is a tool for achieving these goals; There are two extreme ways of achieving competitiveness (paradigms of “technology push” and “market pull”); Also, there many ways of achieving partnerships, but all involve governments, business and science. Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 1

3. Existing situation in Lithuania Limited cross-cutting links between business and science; Low level of expenditure for R&D and insufficient number of researchers (in particular in the private sector); Insufficient results of the national innovation system; Adequate reform measures, but difficulties in their adoption and implementation; But the availability of the EU Structural Funds act as a catalyst for promoting the co-operation between business and science in Lithuania. Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 1

4. Foreign experience Main lessons for Lithuania from the Scottish experience: - Ownership of intellectual property by the science; - Presence of institutional structures providing funding; • Adequate motivation of researchers to link with the business sector; • Mutually-beneficial partnership between business and science. Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 1

5. Efficient solutions: instruments • Programme-based competitive funding for R&D (including the Lithuanian Research Council); • National programmes involving the science-business links, joint science and business valleys, etc.; • The important role of universities and their structural units (such as technology transfer or career units); • Strengthening human resources in R&D and building “strategic intelligence capacity”; • Clear “rules of the game”: reducing financial, market-based and human resource-based risks for undertaking innovations in the business sector (not only of higher-value added businesses). Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 1

6. Efficient solutions: process • Better co-operation between main stakeholders (a more effective Science, technology and innovation development commission, a new working group by the Ministry of Economy/Ministry of Education and Science, stakeholder meetings, etc.); • The importance of starting actual implementation (supported by monitoring and evaluation with possible adjustments); • Focusing on the most important needs (doubts about the volume of funding and the number of staff). Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 1

7. Role of international co-operation R&D Open Method of Co-ordination in the framework of the updated EU Lisbon strategy (e.g. a recent CREST review in Lithuania); Implementation of the 7th Framework Programme and other EU R&D programmes in the period of 2007-2013; ESF-supported transnational co-operation activities in the period of 2007-2013 (e.g. the exchange of experience or staff and its training); International and domestic networking and their synergies. Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 1

8. Key discussion points and results from Section 2. Challenges and opportunities for practical training in vocational education Haroldas Brožaitis Director Public Policy and Management Institute

9. Content of the report • Challenges • Solutions: • Policy making • Policy implementation • Potential for transnational co-operation Haroldas Brožaitis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 2

10. Challenges • Need to enhance appreciations of VET and skills • Need to have a more coherent VET providers network • Need to ensure quality Haroldas Brožaitis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 2

11. Solutions – policy making • Strengthening links between VET providers and working-life • Apprenticeships as a quick way to labour market • Work experience/placement as a compulsory part of VET programmes • Apprenticeships v. work experience Haroldas Brožaitis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 2

12. Solutions – policy implementation • VET providers network: • Competition v. consolidation • Specialisation as a means of consolidation • Sectoral practical training centres • Securing availability of competent teachers and trainers • Financing patterns: • funding for learners, • performance-based funding • In a number of countries there is no more separate state funding for capital investments in VET providers; development of infrastructure could not be separated from exchange of international experience Haroldas Brožaitis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 2

13. Potential for TN co-operation • Transnational co-operationhigh and ongoing in Lithuanian case, as VET system in Lithuania is the process of development, new stage of which was marked by recently adopted new Law on VET (it introduces a number of new or revisited concepts) • Some examples covered: pilot initiative on apprenticeships borrows heavily on the experience in Germany and Switzerland but also other countries Haroldas Brožaitis sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 2

14. Key discussion points and results from Section 3.Development of non-formal adult education: the role of the state and efficient use of the EU Structural Funds Rimantas Dumčius Programme manager Public Policy and Management Institute

15. Content of the report • Challenges • Solutions: • Policy making • Policy implementation • Project level • Potential for transnational co-operation Rimantas Dumčius sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 3

16. Challenges • Weak participation of adults in life-long learning, esp. blue-collar and socially excluded groups; • Imperfections in labour, training and financial markets; • Inadequate administrative capacity and co-ordination to address the above weaknesses and imperfections; • NB: lack of money is not the most pressing issue. Rimantas Dumčius sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 3

17. Solutions – policy making • Learn from the past mistakes and the best practice (incl. generated through Leonardo, Grundtvig, Equal) and use the analysis in programming; • Develop new policy instruments that address specific challenges and learning needs; • Think of end-user first – this would help to overcome barriers to inter-institutional co-operation and ensure policy relevance; • Avoid the proliferation of delivery agencies – concentrate the capacity building effort; • Focus on life-wide skills: build employability on personal development rather than limiting provision to immediate employment skills - • this is the only way to tackle social exclusion. Rimantas Dumčius sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 3

18. Solutions – policy implementation • Set up good governance framework, including qualifications system, QA systems, monitoring and flexible delivery systems; • Invest into capacity of implementing agencies; • Ensure provision of information, guidance and methodological support to project promoters; • Community partnership approach towards achieving high quality projects (funds also for project development phase). Rimantas Dumčius sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 3

19. Solutions – project level • Learning as key to local development and social inclusion; • Key success factors: • Developing local strategy • Local leadership skills • Engaging key local agencies, stakeholders and understanding community needs • Understanding the demand of local employers • Motivation and engaging of learners • Social & cultural activities (eg. sports) • Linking learners & providing open access to learning • Providing and marketing information on positive outcomes Rimantas Dumčius sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 3

20. Potential for TN co-operation • Co-operation arrangements to build capacity at policy planning, implementation and local/project level (eg. twinning instrument); • Working to address common challenges: • Joint learning programmes, mobility opportunities; • Economy of scale in development of new products or their adaptation; • Joint working to ensure cohesion between the EU and the neighbouring countries. Rimantas Dumčius sdafasdfasdfasdf Report from Section 3

21. Thank You! Public Policy and Management Institute Viešosios politikos ir vadybos institutas http://www.vpvi.lt sdafasdfasdfasdf