Vocational training and innovative practices in the environmental sector : a comparison of ten EU Member States with specimen cases : synthesis report in the context of the 'Observing innovations in vocational training' project

The report first of all explains the structure and methodology of the study and then, in Chapter 2, provides an overview of the current state of environment-related vocational training in ten Member States. Chapter 3 contains a short discourse on the concept and meaning of innovation from the point of view of system theory and for vocational training before going on to present and evaluate case studies of innovative vocational training initiatives from the Member States. Chapter 4 analyses environment-related qualification requirements for specific target groups. A discussion follows about the extent to which it is possible to transfer the good practices described to other EU Member States and thereby help to improve the level of training in those States. Chapter 5 estimates the new gainful employment and jobs created through environment-related occupations. This report is intended to help to support decision-makers at the European, national and regional levels to implement innovative vocational training measures and practices by providing specialist information and application-oriented recommendations. However, this report is also intended to provide vocational training researchers active in this field with current information and leads to support their scientific work on environment-related vocational training in Europe and the improvement of that work.