Phare VET Reform Programme in the Czech Republic

Background

The urgent need after 1989 to adjust Vocational Education and Training (VET) in apprentice schools and technical secondary schools to reflect the changing economic and social circumstances resulted in the launch of a major strategic review of VET with the aim to map all major aspects of the system and through consensus, to formulate the long and short term strategic steps to be taken.

Following the conclusions from the Review the programme VET Reform Through Pilot Schools was initiated and in 1994 the Financing Memorandum for the programme was signed by representatives of the Czech Government and the European Union.

In February/March 1996 the aim of the programme was confirmed once more at a Strategic Workshop with the key people and decision-makers representing four ministries, research institutions, educational institutions, schools, the EU-Delegation, the European Training Foundation and the PMU. At this workshop the Strategic Plan for the programme was discussed and agreed, stating aims and objectives for each programme component.