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This ETF Issues Paper on the Future of Work and Skills is the first attempt to collect and analyse existing information and data on the skills demands of the future in ETF partner countries, and to explore responses for better managing the transition (transformation) towards an inclusive future for the benefit of individuals and societies. Thus, the paper analyses the impact of global developments on skills demands in ETF partner countries in order to support their discussions on the policy reforms required for managing the transition to the future. Rather than making a detailed analysis of each individual country, the paper reviews the general trends across the four regions of the ETF's partner countries: South Eastern Europe and Turkey (SEET), Eastern Partnership (EaP), Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) and Central Asia.

The European Training Foundation's (ETF) approach to promoting systemic and systematic quality assurance in vocational education and training (VET) is set out in this working paper. Quality assurance in VET is summarised by the ETF as the measures established to verify that processes and procedures are in place, which aim to ensure the quality and quality improvement of VET. The ETF uses the following definition of VET: "education and training which aim to equip people with knowledge, know-how, skills and/or competences required in particular occupations or more broadly on the labour market." The intention of this working paper is to serve as a resource for ETF staff and its function is to support a common ETF approach to promoting quality assurance in VET in partner countries. The paper will be made available to a wider audience with an interest in quality assurance in VET. ETF partner countries have signaled the need for more effective quality assurance measures to help improve the quality and relevance of VET outcomes. They aim to strengthen quality assurance policies and measures that support the development of good VET governance and management, good qualifications systems, good qualifications and good learning environments facilitated by good teachers and trainers. The main purpose of this working paper is to guide ETF staff to support partner countries in their endeavours to develop further their approach to quality assurance in VET. The paper has five chapters. The background to present-day quality assurance is presented in Chapter 1. Concepts important to the understanding of the ETF approach to quality assurance in VET are reviewed in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, the evolution of European policies for quality assurance is summarised. The "status quo" of quality assurance policy and practice in ETF partner countries and reform needs and challenges, as presented in the Torino Process reports, are discussed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 presents the ETF approach to promoting quality assurance in VET development, based on the conceptual framework set out in the preceding chapters. (A bibliography is included.)

Financing is the lifeblood of any public policy. First, because the availability of monetary resources conditions the affordability and sustainability of this policy. Second, because the financing systems in place, including the channels, mechanisms and tools for resource collection, allocation and management, are essential, structural factors to guarantee the effectiveness and efficiency of public service delivery. As such, financing is an essential element of good governance. In the field of human capital development policies, and more specifically vocational education and training (VET), this double 'role' of financing is made even more complex by the high multiplicity of stakeholders contributing to and benefitting from VET. Therefore, although the capital importance of financing is not questioned, there is no simple approach defined yet to help partner countries address financing in a holistic and strategic manner. This paper aims to pave the way for such an approach. First, there needs to be a common understanding of what is at stake in the area of financing. Second, a methodology is needed to guide stakeholders through the analysis, decision making and implementation phases in this field. After elaborating further on the rationale for investing in the area of financing, this paper outlines the challenges that many partner countries face in financing their VET systems and policies. The paper provides a working definition of the term 'financing' and proposes a methodological approach to support the policy dialogue on financing in partner countries. The paper also outlines the specific support that the European Training Foundation (ETF) can provide in this field.

The digital transformation is, to varying degrees, taking place in European Training Foundation (ETF) partner countries also. The ETF aims at helping its partner countries reap the benefits of the opportunities offered by the digital transformation and address the related challenges. This paper presents the ETF's position on, and approach to, digital skills and competence, and digital and online learning in vocational education in partner countries.