European Training Foundation
Encyclopedia
The European Training Foundation (ETF) is an agency of the European Union. Established in 1990, operational since 1994, the European Training Foundation is located in Turin
, Italy
.
The ETF helps improve vocational training systems in non-EU countries, mostly in neighbouring regions such as the countries preparing for EU accession, North Africa
, the Middle East
, the Balkans
and the former Soviet Union.
The ETF offers these countries insight, know-how and experience in training people for new jobs and in developing lifelong learning
programmes.
It cooperates closely with its sister agency, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
(Cedefop), which has a mandate on vocational training within the EU member states.
It counts approximately 130 staff, representing most EU member states and some of the ETF non-EU partner countries. Its first director was Peter de Rooij, Dutch (1994-2004), followed by Muriel Dunbar, British (2004-2009). Since 1 July 2009 the ETF's Director is Madlen Serban, Romanian.
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The ETF helps improve vocational training systems in non-EU countries, mostly in neighbouring regions such as the countries preparing for EU accession, North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
and the former Soviet Union.
The ETF offers these countries insight, know-how and experience in training people for new jobs and in developing lifelong learning
Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is the continuous building of skills and knowledge throughout the life of an individual. It occurs through experiences encountered in the course of a lifetime...
programmes.
It cooperates closely with its sister agency, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training is an agency of the European Union.Established in 1975, Cedefop is located in Thessaloniki, Greece...
(Cedefop), which has a mandate on vocational training within the EU member states.
It counts approximately 130 staff, representing most EU member states and some of the ETF non-EU partner countries. Its first director was Peter de Rooij, Dutch (1994-2004), followed by Muriel Dunbar, British (2004-2009). Since 1 July 2009 the ETF's Director is Madlen Serban, Romanian.