PROFF – Professionalisation of VET teachers for the future - Europa

DefinitionsIn-service trainingDifferent European countries use different terms to describe training taking place after initialtraining. In this study, we use the term in-service training. Following the definition proposedby the Eurydice network in-service training denotes all activities and practices intended tobroaden teachers’ knowledge, improve their skills and to help them assess and develop theirprofessional approach (Eurydice, 1995). By this definition, in-service training includes abroad range of programmes and courses set up by employers or by local, regional or nationalauthorities.ProfessionalisationThe concept of professionalisation is ambiguous. It can be understood as a strategy to protecta profession from outside competition, by defining the skills and competences required toenter the profession (as occurs with doctors and lawyers). Obviously this is not the definitionused in PROFF. In this project, professionalisation is closely linked to efforts to update,upgrade and develop VET teachers’ competences so they can meet the challenges facing theirprofession and act professionally in their daily work. Professionalising VET teachersrepresents a significant contribution to the quality and effectiveness of VET systems. Itpromotes mastery of technical and scientific advances, and enables teachers to anticipate anddeal with change.Teacher, trainer, tutor, etc.The concepts of teacher, trainer, tutor, etc. are just as ambiguous as professionalisation. Inthe data collection of PROFF this ambiguity resulted in cases with varying target groups,ranging from teachers (in the strict sense of the word) to middle managers. Most participantscan none the less be considered professional educators. Professional educators can includetrainers, group leaders, tutors, teachers, instructors, trainers of trainers, etc. (de Blignières-Légeraud, 2000a).In EU countries the term teacher is generally used to name personnel in primary schools,secondary schools and initial vocational training colleges.Tutors are defined as salaried employees of the enterprise appointed by the employer to beresponsible for a trainee in initial training, continuing training or retraining within theenterprise. A tutor’s main task is teaching trainees (de Blignières-Légeraud, 2000b). Manycountries use the term (workplace) instructor.A trainer is a professional involved in apprenticeship systems, on-the-job and off-the-jobtraining activities and, more generally, in private sector training.9