As part of the ETF’s policy learning actions in its partner countries, the biennial Torino Process
attempts to encourage evidence based policy making in VET and employment.

Its objective is to provide concise, documented analysis of VET and employment reform in each country, including the identification of key policy trends, challenges and constraints as well as good practice and opportunities.

It has two goals:
To strengthen policy making capability by improving the effectiveness of policy analysis through self-assessment. In the first year of the two year process, the conclusions of the analysis are expected to validate the strategic policy orientations and inform subsequent policy adjustments. The second year will concentrate on policy areas which are at risk if not addressed in a structural manner.
To give a new impetus to ETF work during the period 2010-2013.

The Torino Process aims to strengthen or create institutional policy platforms – national institutional networks – in an attempt to enhance policy dialogue, and coherent, consistent and integrated policy making.

The ETF will assist and guide the process for as long as is needed and should be perceived as a partner of the process – a kind of critical friend to key stakeholders in a country be they government, economic and social partners, civil society organisations or VET and labour market policy makers. The Torino Process proposes a corporate approach to policy learning as a working method and to policy making as a field of action.

The results of the first round of the Torino Process will document:

ETF recommendations to the European Commission for sector programming and the project cycle,
ETF interventions in the partner countries supporting policy making in VET and employment,
further capacity building interventions, supporting policy making, to be carried out directly by the ETF or to be proposed to the European Commission for external assistance.

Additionally, in the second year, the ETF will work on those policy areas in need of urgent structural assistance, as identified by the Torino Process. This will take the form of expertise communities who will create, manage and share knowledge with the respective countries.

Exceptionally, in 2010, the Torino Process will be carried out together with a policy area examination in education and business cooperation which was requested by DG EAC. This cooperation must be immediately analysed considering the high youth unemployment and decreasing adult employment rates, the lack of trust business shows towards public education and training, and differences in supply and demand.

Instead of conclusions, the Torino Process will help the ETF to understand country contexts better and to manage them more effectively. It will seek a win-win situation for the ETF and its partner countries, ultimately benefitting their citizens, and enhancing the relevance of EU interventions in the field.

Madlen Serban, ETF Director