Establishment and objectives
1. The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is hereby established as a Union Agency.
2. Cedefop's objective shall be to support the promotion, development and implementation of Union policies in the field of vocational education and training as well as skills and qualifications policies by working together with the Commission, the Member States and the social partners.
To that end Cedefop shall enhance and disseminate knowledge, provide evidence and services for the purpose of policy making, including research-based conclusions, and shall facilitate knowledge sharing among and between Union and national actors.
Tasks
1. Cedefop shall have the following tasks with respect to the policy areas referred to in Article 1(2), while fully respecting the responsibilities of the Member States:
(a)
analyse trends in vocational education and training, skills and qualification policies and systems, and provide comparative analyses thereof across countries;
(b)
analyse labour market trends in relation to skills and qualifications, and vocational education and training;
(c)
analyse and contribute to developments related to the design and award of qualifications, their organisation into frameworks, and their function in the labour market, and in relation to vocational education and training, with a view to enhancing their transparency and recognition;
(d)
analyse and contribute to developments in the field of validation of non-formal and informal learning;
(e)
carry out or commission studies and carry out research on relevant socioeconomic developments and related policy issues;
(f)
provide forums for exchange of experiences and information between the governments, the social partners and other stakeholders at national level;
(g)
contribute, including through evidence-based information and analyses, to the implementation of reforms and policies at national level;
(h)
disseminate information with a view to contributing to policies and to raising awareness and understanding of the potential of vocational education and training in promoting and supporting the employability of people, productivity and lifelong learning;
(i)
manage and make available tools, datasets and services for vocational education and training, skills, occupations and qualifications to citizens, companies, policy makers, the social partners and other stakeholders;
(j)
establish a strategy for relations with third countries and international organisations in accordance with Article 29 concerning matters for which Cedefop is competent.
2. Where new studies are needed, and before taking policy decisions, the Union institutions shall take into account Cedefop's expertise and any studies that it has conducted in the area concerned or that it is able to conduct, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 8 ) .
3. In its activities, Cedefop shall take into account the links which exist between vocational education and training and the other sectors of education and training.
4. Cedefop may conclude cooperation agreements with other relevant Union agencies in order to facilitate and promote cooperation with them.
5. In carrying out its tasks, Cedefop shall maintain a close dialogue particularly with specialised bodies, working on vocational education and training and skills and qualifications policies, whether public or private, national or international, with public authorities and educational institutions, with employers' and employees' organisations, and with national tripartite bodies where they exist. Without prejudice to its objectives and purposes, Cedefop shall cooperate with other Union agencies, in particular the ETF, Eurofound and EU-OSHA, promoting synergies and complementarity with their activities, while avoiding any duplication of efforts.
