Title of the practice |
RSPEO - Strategic Platform Economy and Education |
Precise theme/issue tackled by the practice |
1) Changes in the regional economy (displacement of jobs for low-qualified persons) have led to much higher and more specified requirements by regional companies. Counsellors of public employment agencies had found it hard to keep up with the changes and lacked up-to-date knowledge about economic developments. 2) In the region of Mechelen there’s a high amount of unemployed people belonging to priority groups ( foreigners / immigrants, disabled persons and people over 50) |
Objectives of the practice |
The RSPEO wants to formulate answers (in actions and in policy advise) to narrow the gap between education, the regional labour market and economic situation. |
Location |
District Mechelen |
Detailed description of the practice |
The RSPEO had outlined 5 priority actions, to reduce the above mentioned gap: » the development of a practical training policy for students and teachers; » the development of an orientation tool for professional choices based upon competencies to reduce mismatch on the labour market; » the stock taking of attitude related training; » a study of which vocational courses are needed by employers; » the realisation of a welding centre (welder is a bottleneck profession in our region) |
Evaluation |
It took some time before the mission of this platform was drawn up and before it was clear which role it could play to narrow the gap between education and economy. The platform is now chaired by a representative of the educational field which has led to a better working of it. |
Lessons learnt from the practice |
» Relevant parties for a well functioning platform as ours include: local schools (vocational and general), trade unions and employer’s organizations, regional public labour services. » It takes some time before it is clear in which direction an organ like this one should and can work. |
Relevant factors/conditions for the transfer of the good practice |
To assure the efficient and successful working of such an meeting/platform it is necessary the members are well chosen (representative of their organisation/field, all the relevant parties need to be present) and that the discussed themes and policy advises are based on up-to-date and regional facts and figures. |
Implementing organisations |
RESOC Mechelen, regional schools, regional trade unions and employer’s organizations, regional public labour services |
Contact information |
 |
Other possible interesting information |
http://www.resocmechelen.be/pagina.aspx?p_ID=145 (in Dutch) |