ETBI recognises the critical role that EU projects and international engagement play in supporting the growth and development of the ETB FET sector. The ETBI and ETB FET International Engagement Strategy (2022 – 2025) is a strategic signal of intent, illustrating our vision and objectives, while also demonstrating strategic priorities for FET, and the enabling mechanisms which will facilitate innovation throughout the sector. In addition, ETBI’s 2022 – 2024 Strategy Statement cites international engagement as a focal point within the partnership and potential themed strategic goals. Nationally, the SOLAS FET Strategy highlights the important role that lessons learnt from international engagement will play in delivering Future ready FET provision. Areas such as ongoing evolutions in learning, and successfully navigating major change as a result of mega trends and twin transitions in green and digital domains have been cited as areas which will benefit from international engagement.

ETBI is therefore engaged in several ongoing EU Project and international engagement activities which are addressing a number of strategic focal points. ETBI has fulfilled the role of an ERAMUS+ mobility coordinator for ETB FET, developing and delivering projects within key action 1 calls which have focused primarily on strategic developments in national FET provision. ETBI is also actively engaged with key action 3 funded projects. These projects have focused on strengthening VET provision throughout Europe, while also serving as a mechanism for building strategic partnerships between European VET representative platforms.

Beyond funding programmes, ETBI are actively engaged within the European representative platform arena. We are one of the founding members of EUproVET, a representative platform for European VET providers, who provide direct policy input to DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion & European Federation of Education Employers (EFEE), a federation which provides a truly all-encompassing representation of learning contexts ranging from schools, VET, adult education, & higher education. Finally, ETBI are building strategic partnerships with European partners, exploring opportunities to capture lessons learnt in tertiary education developments, coordinating national ETB FET efforts within culinary arts competitions between Ireland and France (FICAHT), while also exploring opportunities in green skills development.

This section will provide access to European project outputs such as publications, reports and presentations.