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Successful Mobility Matchmaking Exchange in Borås: Advancing Gender Equality in Education

24/01/2025

In early December, Working Life Department of the municipality of Borås (Sweden) welcomed delegations from the Centre-Val de Loire Region (France) and mobilitat FP – Institut Escola del Treball (Catalonia) for an inspiring EARLALL’s Mobility Matchmaking exchange. The exchange focused on the pivotal role of public institutions in advancing gender equality in career guidance and lifelong learning services.

This exchange was part of the Mobility Matchmaking Tool, a new capacity-building initiative developed by EARLALL. The tool promotes knowledge sharing and exchange among members, offering a platform for in-depth discussions and learning on specific topics related to policies and practices in lifelong learning. The Mobility Matchmaking initiative provides opportunities for study visits, job shadowing, or blended exchanges (virtual workshops followed by in-person visits), designed to help participants gain practical insights into regional approaches to education and skills development.

The partnership brought together professionals from regional authorities and Vocational Education and Training Schools to share best practices and explore strategies for promoting gender inclusion in vocational training, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields. Nicholas Waller, from the Working Life Department of the municipality of Borås, highlighted the power of hosting such events, noting how they provide an opportunity for local colleagues to get directly involved in international exchanges, leading to a richer understanding of global issues.

Albert Peiró Mateu, Head of Studies Responsible for VET Dual & Erasmus+ at the Escola del Treball (Catalonia), shared how the exchange helped him learn more about Sweden’s approach to gender equality in education and inspired him to launch a new international collaboration project focusing on gender equality in vocational studies. He was particularly impressed by the exchange, which exceeded his expectations. He reflected on how the visit allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the Swedish education system and learn about the gender inclusion strategies employed by vocational training centres in the region. Albert also shared key takeaways from his meetings with the Authority for Education in Sweden (Skolverket), where they discussed the importance of school management in promoting gender-inclusive teaching practices. The conversation highlighted the necessity of creating an action plan that ensures all teachers understand and apply gender inclusion policies. This idea was reinforced through Skolverket’s Role Model and Inclusive Educational Environment action plan, which Albert compared to initiatives being implemented at his own institution through the EdTWomenDays project.

Claire Chartier, a Guidance Officer from the Centre-Val de Loire Region and participant in the exchange, shared her insights: “The upstream work with our Swedish, Spanish, and Belgian partners was very rich and pushed us to clearly define what we expected from these exchanges. The dates set did not allow the Belgian partner to join us; we hope that he will be able to follow the project despite everything. On-site, in Sweden, we were very well received. We noticed that each meeting we participated in had been prepared. The structures chosen for our meetings were very relevant to our work topics. The discussions were very rich and brought us a lot.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Chartier and her colleagues, Florence BOISSEAU, Nathalie FOUQUET and Anne RIVIERE outlined several objectives:

  • Maintain partnerships with the services encountered to continue discussions and develop our professional practices.
  • Contribute to the regional strategy for gender equality, particularly via the regional roadmap.
  • Develop inter-high school exchanges between vocational high schools in Centre-Val de Loire and Swedish and Spanish partners, with a focus on “mixed professions.”
  • Strengthen cultural links between Borås and Bourges, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, particularly for 2028.
  • Facilitate projects related to lifelong guidance, thanks to established partnerships.

She concluded by reflecting on the personal impact of the experience: “And, to finish, it was a really strong human adventure; we got along very well, and we all discovered a very inspiring European belonging.”

This exchange is part of the Pact for Skills Regional Skills Partnership on Lifelong Learning Mobility, which includes regions like Västra Götaland (Sweden), Movetia (Switzerland), and Catalonia, in addition to other key stakeholders such as Camilla Winter AB (Sweden). These partnerships are instrumental in fostering regional collaboration, promoting equity, and empowering individuals through lifelong learning. By continuing to share knowledge and best practices, these regions are paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for education and vocational training.

The success of this event reinforces the importance of international collaboration in advancing lifelong learning and gender equality, and it highlights the ongoing role of the EARLALL network in facilitating these crucial exchanges.