ReferNet Research Report 2009
What is occupying the "vocational education and training researchers" of a country? Is there any research of note? Which topics are being investigated and processed? Which relevant issues and material results are emerging?
The answers to these questions enable a distinct insight to be obtained into a state's VET system by revealing focal points where "construction works" are ongoing. Furthermore research is an indicator for the relevance of VET in a country.
In 2009, an attempt was undertaken in all countries represented in ReferNet to respond to these questions via four main areas of content focus. "Benefits of VET" and "Mobility and migration" are common topics for all. Due to the fact that there are a large number of current issues of completely differing degrees of relevance within the member states, the national coordinators were given the freedom to decide on two further topics.
Germany opted for the topics "Effectiveness and quality assurance" and "Transitions". Interestingly, seven further states selected the topic "Effectiveness and quality assurance", making it the most frequently selected area of focus. "Transitions" was chosen by four other countries and came 3rd in a list containing 15 proposals in total. This shows the remarkable relevance of these topics in Europe.
In overall terms, we may state that only an extremely small number of common guidelines were in place for the ReferNet Research report compared to the other two reports, the ReferNet Policy report 2008 and the ReferNet Country Report 2009. The targeted aim was to ensure the greatest possible leeway in terms of the main areas of focus for the description of national VET research.
This ReferNet Research Report forms part of the Cedefop ReferNet 2009 work programme.
Further information: www.refernet.de, where you can find the German report as well as all the other available national reports.
