Abstract:

The development of science and technology in recent times is hosting major changes with the emergence of new key concepts, e.g. nanotechnology, micronanoelectronic, etc. Technologies are changing the way in which society operates and there is a need to ensure that they are used in a best possible way. The way to address these new concepts is crucial for achieving economic and social prosperity and an obvious indicator of a country's ability to maintain a sustained growth in accordance with the latest advances.

This Paper present the results of comparative analysis on general needs by Vocational Education and Training towards Key Enabling Technologies in six countries – Spain, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia. The research was realised through Erasmus+ BRACKET project.

Research results shows high level of inclusion of KETs in National Laws or Strategies in all countries analysed. Moreover, scientists have a lot of experience with KETs, concretely in nanotechnology, biotechnology and advanced material. Based on the questioners distributes to different stakeholders – training and education providers, students, professors, entrepreneurs, workers, and local/regional / national authorities, the assessment was made on the general needs by Vocational Education and Training towards Key Enabling Technologies.

Results also show significant gap between public policies and involvement of KETs in educational systems, especially in Vocational Education and Training. Moreover, the results identifies which new skills and competences will be required and what other current skills would need to be strengthen/adapted, due to the peculiarities that new innovative technologies and the learning programmes that participant countries involve. Result will be the basis for new join curriculum and e-learning course, which will be developed in the framework of the BRACKET project.

Keywords:

Innovation, Research and Development, Key Enabling Technologies, International cooperation, Economic development, Education.