Centres d’Innovació i Formació Ocupacional (CIFO) network and the promotion of equity, social cohesion, and active citizenship in Catalonia (Spain)

Abstract

The promotion of equity, social cohesion and active citizenship is the third objective of the Strategic framework – Education & Training 2020, of the European Union. The objective of this article is to analyse how is the CIFO network in Catalonia advancing towards this European objective 1 . After explaining creation and evolution of the CIFO network, which is part of the CVET policy and, thus, of the lifelong learning policy in Catalonia, we analyse two of the main tools -related in the scientific literature with social justice and social cohesion-, which all CIFO develop within their activity: the recognition of prior learning (RPL) and the professional certificates. Using secondary and published data from European, Spanish and Catalan institutions, in addition to the scientific literature, legislative and document analyses, and direct observation, we explore this relationship between the European objective of promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship and the activity of the CIFO network. Preliminary data shows that CIFO are advancing towards this European objective by developing RPL and professional certificates, targeting people from disadvantaged groups and by providing education in issues related to employability, gender equality and environmental protection.