This is an overview of conferences organized for field groups.
On October 30, 2006, the MEYS conception group organized a workshop (conference) to introduce those involved to the concept, design and content of FEP as submitted to MoEYS shortly before for the approval procedure under the Education Act.
The conference was attended by 55 invited representatives of the MEYS conceptual group, members of expert groups, CSI, MEYS and the NITVE.
Another major event of the year 2006 took place on November 21. The aim of the field groups' conference was to inform the "expert base" about recent development in technical and vocational education and to discuss how to proceed in the most important activities.
At the conference the participants discussed the curricular reform, the formation of a suitable environment for reform implementation (MEYS's system projects such as NSK, UNIV, Pilot S, NZZ) and the broader issue of the quality of technical and vocational education in the Czech Republic.
The conference was attended by 152 selected representatives of field groups, MEYS employees and managers, and the experts from the Curriculum Section of the NITVE.
In connection with both conferences, the field groups commenced an internal debate on the following three topics:
- Quality of technical education
- Focus on continuing education
- Future heading of field group activities
The field group conference took place at the end of 2007. Following topics were discussed:
1) current situation in VET in EU and Czech republic; the position of field group project
2) curricular reform in secondary vocational education
3) law on the recognition of further education and NQF
4) National system of occupation
In December 2008 the field groups met at a conference in Prague / Vinor. The attendees discussed the process of curricular reform and implementation of financial literacy in Czech schools. A special attention was given to results of the Partnership and quality project, which was partially financed from European social fund. Also, the National network of Quality assurance in VET and relevant European projects were intensively discussed.
The last meeting of field groups took place in Prague – Vinor in December 2009. This meeting was focused on 3 topics:
1) From vocational training to lifelong learning - Current status and context, implementation of lifelong learning strategies, current issues of initial training, development and continuing education;
2) Support the further development of vocational education in the CR - Objectives, content and context of individual major national projects: NSK2, UNIV 2, S Curriculum, Draft, Journey to the quality, NZZ (main project managers);
3) Parallel seminars on topics supported by sector groups - a) Proceedings of the National Network of Quality assurance in VET in Czech Republic. b) Discussion on the results of an international project SECCOMPAT.
All conferences and working groups mentioned above brought together approximately 150-140 members of professional groups with representatives from NUOV, MEYS, and other project partners.
In 2010, similar meetings of members of field groups are planned again at the end of the year in Prague. Details will be announced soon to the invited participants.