SELVET Social and Emotional Learning in Vocational Education and Training: An Introduction

Abstract

This guidebook is the result of a two-year Leonardo Partnership project titled “Social and Emotional Learning in Vocational Education” (SELVET). This was supported by the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme. Non-cognitive abilities – such as persistence, motivation, emotional stability, and social skills – are considered to be as important, if not more so, than cognitive capabilities when determining one’s success in life, and in working life in particular. One example of the way these competences can be learnt is through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes. The SELVET Partnership wished to explore the application of SEL interventions within each partner country and how their learning could inform the application of SEL interventions in Vocational Education and Training (VET). The purpose of our guidebook is to give an overview of the concept of SEL and its application within partner countries, to raise awareness of its importance, and to provide a rationale and argument for inclusion of such programmes in VET. Our main target audience includes school directors, principals, and teachers, as well as decision-makers and policy-developers within vocational education. However we also anticipate that it will be of interest to education-providers from other spheres as well.