European Strategy on Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Junior Enterprises Global (JE Global) welcomes the renewed political momentum for Vocational Education and Training (VET) reflected in the Herning Declaration. Representing the world's largest entrepreneurial higher education Movement in 50+ countries, our network oversees more than 2,000 non-profit, student-run associations operating within the higher education space.

Persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers in accessing education and employment, including inaccessible learning environments, lack of reasonable accommodation, discrimination, and limited disability competence among educators, trainers, and employers.

Representing Higher Vocational Education (SeQF5 and SeQF6) at Frans Schartaus Business Institute, within the City of Stockholms educational organization we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the development of a renewed European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training.

EURASHE is the European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education. With more than 100 members, the Association represents over 500 applied orientated higher education institutions in 32 countries within and outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

The European Students Union (ESU) is an umbrella organisation representing 40 National Student Unions from 43 different countries. For ESU, the upcoming strategy for VET should focus on 4 different points: VET as a public good ESU stresses that VET must be recognised first and foremost as a public good, not merely as an instrument to address short-term labour market shortages.

Please find enclosed the (still valid) Statement that the Renewable Energy Skills Partnership issued on Vocational Skills in 2023. Since then, the Partnership has gathered relevant insights on VET in the Framework of the RESkill4NetZero Project.

Europe faces structural shifts in labour demand driven by the twin transition, re-industrialisation, demographic ageing, defence policy, and technological change. Skilled technicians, craftspeople, operators, and people-centred professionals trained through VET are essential to deliver Europes ambitions in energy, transport, healthcare, manufacturing, circular economy, and social infrastructure.

Europes labour and skills shortages, especially in green, digital and care sectors, pose a growing risk to innovation, productivity and social cohesion. We support the European Commissions assessment that VET must become more attractive, inclusive and future-ready. Drawing on implementation experience from SOS Childrens Villages global youth employability and entrepreneurship partnership YouthCan!

Many people with intellectual disabilities cannot access mainstream vocational training. One key reason is segregated education. According to the Inclusion Indicators, 640,000 children are in special schools and 24,000 children receive no education at all (Inclusion Indicators, Inclusion Europe). These schools do not prepare learners for the open labour market. VET programmes are often not adapted.

Time Vision is positioning itself as a pivotal contributor to the forthcoming European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training by bridging the gap between high-level policy ambitions and practical, scalable implementation.

Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of skills development, economic competitiveness, and social cohesion in the EU, especially in the context of green and digital transitions and widespread skills shortages. The internationalisation of apprenticeships can enhance their quality and attractiveness. Apprentice learning and training mobility offers huge benefits for learners, VET providers and companies.

Education and training for persons with disabilities must be strategically linked to the real and constantly changing needs of the labour market to ensure their effective and sustainable professional integration. The institutionalisation and systematic certification of non-formal education and training for persons with disabilities is key.

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In the context of the call for evidence on the European strategy for vocational education and training, the French authorities propose to: 1. Supporting investment in skills throughout life; 2. Strengthening the linsertion of young people; 3. Increase the lattractivity of vocational education and training; 4. Ensure the quality and recognition of training; 5.

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Katapult welcomes the public consultation launched by the Commission on a European Strategy for VET and emphasises the central role of strong public-private partnerships (PPPs) in strengthening VET systems. Katapult's position aligns with the Commissions recent report on Advancing European Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs).

Skilled technicians, craftspeople, operators and people-centred professionals trained through vocational education and training (VET) are central to Europes Independence Moment. In sectors such as energy, manufacturing, construction, healthcare and digital services, it becomes particularly clear that VET is not merely a labour market instrument, but a strategic lever for territorial, ecological and economic…

Culture Action Europe is the largest European network of cultural organisations, networks, artists, activists, academics and policymakers from around Europe, representing 300+ members. As an intersectoral cultural network, we bring together members and partners from all areas of culture to provide them a voice.

EPR, the European Platform for Rehabilitation, is a network of service providers working with people with disabilities committed to high quality service delivery. EPRs mission is to build the capacity of its members to provide sustainable, high-quality services through mutual learning and training.

Within the European strategy to promote VET, with the aim of making it more responsive, flexible, and attractive, the TourXpeRience project (Project No. 101193962) is positioned. It focuses on the Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) model in tourism education and highlights the role of CoVEs as territorial ecosystems that foster innovation, collaboration among VET providers, industry, policymakers, and regional…

1. Initial situation: Demographic change and the pressures on Europe’s skilled labour face an unprecedented challenge: A growing need for skilled labour, combined with a shrinking labour supply. Demographic change, the ageing of the population and the consequent reduction in the workforce, as well as the decline in labour supply in and from eastern and south-eastern Europe, are placing massive pressure on services…

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Anja C. M. Schönau, University Erasmus+ Facilitator and University Educator / University civil servant (tenured) for Art, Germany For students and staff at universities, I advocate the expansion of VET formats that...

Introduction: As Irelands national agency for workforce development, Skillnet Ireland welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions consultation on the European Strategy for VET Education. Skillnet Ireland works in close partnership with Irish industry and education and training providers to deliver demand-led upskilling programmes and ensure Irish businesses, particularly SMEs, have access to…

SALAR stresses that the Member States remain responsible for the organisation and content of vocational education and training systems. SALAR however thinks that a European VET strategy, with relevant priorities, can provide common orientation, coordination and support at EU level to improve the quality, relevance and resilience of these systems.

AONTAS, Irelands National Adult Learning Organisations Submission to the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) As Europe undergoes the green and digital transitions, the VET Strategy must promote social inclusion. An inclusive, learner centred VET system will strengthen Europes competitiveness enabling all adults to thrive.

As the European Commission prepares its next European VET-strategy, we must set the course for VET systems across the EU that empower learners and businesses alike. VET is not only a powerful launchpad into work its a cornerstone of competitiveness, social inclusion, and democratic resilience.

The French regions play a central role in implementing DEFP policies, in particular by anticipating skills needs and devising responses tailored to the needs of the regions. The contribution of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region The Region has adopted a vocational training strategy for 2024-2028 which is fully in line with the European VET framework: inclusion, adaptation to economic needs, securing pathways…

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ENSIE, the European Network of Work Integration Social Enterprises, represents the interests of national and regional networks of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) striving for more inclusive and integrated forms of employment at European level.

DGB views on EUs VET Strategy In addition to the ETUC views on Building a Worker-Centred VET Strategy for Quality Jobs and Fair Transitions, the DGB explains its position on the proposal for a new EU VET Strategy. A European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) must not become a one-way street for employees. We see it as an equal challenge for businesses and companies.

VET systems must become more responsive, attractive and closely aligned with labour-market needs. The Strategy should prioritise stronger foundations in basic and digital skills, simplified and better funded mobility, expanded work-based and dual learning, faster curriculum updates, higher and lifelong VET pathways, and innovation and entrepreneurship in close partnership with employers.

BBS 1 Uelzen - Stefan Nowatschin, Head of global Excellence-Network Vocational Education Sustainable Development As VET-Expert and head of these Erasmus Plus-funded vocational training networks, I expressly welcome the initiative and the 2024-2029 policy guidelines of the announced European strategy for vocational education and training.

For over a decade, the European Federation for Family Employment and Home Care (EFFE) has worked to structure, professionalise, and give visibility to the Personal and Household Services (PHS) sector, which includes domestic and home care.

We would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the consultation on the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. We welcome the European Commission’s intention to present a strategy to strengthen vocational education and training and increase the number of people who have completed vocational education and training.

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Active-Sites Consulting welcomes the European Commissions initiative to develop a European strategy for vocational education and training (VET). We strongly agree that persistent skills shortagesparticularly in green, digital, industrial, and technical occupationsare increasingly constraining EU competitiveness, productivity, and innovation.

Reuse, repair, and recycling social enterprises of the RREUSE wider network are unique training providers that leverage their circular operations as vehicles for training and job opportunities, especially for labour market underrepresented groups.

The National Association of Archaeologists (ANA) is a professional association which for twenty years has brought together and represented archaeologists operating in Italy, protecting limmagine and the interests of the professional category within the company and, in 2016, was recognised by the Ministry of Economic Development as a professional association which complies with the requirements laid down in Law No…

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ASEE welcomes the European Commissions initiative to develop a European Strategy on Vocational Education and Training (VET), aimed at improving attractiveness, excellence, labour-market relevance and inclusiveness across the EU.

The SOS Group, a major player in the social and solidarity economy, has been active for more than 30 years in the field of employment, training, support for groups far from employment and territorial development. Present in several Member States and in the French outermost regions, it intervenes at the intersection of policies of deducation, demploi, social cohesion and ecological transition.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

With this contribution, CINOP provides practice-based insights for the new European VET Strategy. This aligns with the European Commissions intention to gather input from a broad group of stakeholders through the consultation process. CINOP is an education consultancy and research-agency, focused on improving Dutch VET education.

The German Association of Tax Consultants (DStV) welcomes the upcoming EU strategy on education and training and makes the following recommendations. 1. National modernisation processes require outdated, bureaucratic and anti-education legislation in the Member States to be identified and consistently eliminated.

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Contribution of VETNET to the upcoming European Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy of the European Commission, following consultation with its Board in February 2026. Founded in 1996 within the European Educational Research Association, VETNET brings together more than 140 experts from universities, companies and international organisations committed to improving the quality of VET.

LUNSA, as a member of ETUC, calls for a worker-centred vocational training strategy that guarantees concrete rights, quality jobs, fair wages and strong social dialogue. This strategy must be anchored in the European Pillar of Social Rights. It must be stressed that vocational training must serve workers and society, not just competitiveness.

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We welcome the fact that the European Commission is preparing a European strategy for vocational education and training. The initiative addresses key challenges: labour and skills shortages, the growing skills needs stemming from the digital and green transitions, and the persistence of skills mismatches.

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The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) appreciates the oppor-tunity to provide input on the Commissions call for evidence on the upcoming European strategy for vocational education and training. DA welcomes the Commissions ambition to promote vocational edu-cation and training programmes, to tackle labour and skills shortages and mismatches and boost European competitiveness.

I am happy to share this contribution on behalf of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. We are the global organisation for libraries, including half a million public libraries (67 000 across in Europe, with 575 million annual visits) that represent a key infrastructure for lifelong learning, as well as libraries in vocational and further education colleges.

As the European Cleaning and Facility Services Industry (EFCI), the recognised employers organisation and Social Partner for the cleaning industry sector, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on the upcoming European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET).

The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) is the leading voice of disability services across Europe. Representing over 20,000 services in 50 different countries, we promote human rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities through effective and high-quality support. Our work focuses on key areas essential to quality support provision.

JOBmbo is the Dutch national representative organisation for students in VET. We represent the interests of over 450,000 vocational students and are in regular contact with the Dutch ministry of education, political parties, school boards and the media. In addition we annually conduct the countrys largest student survey, gathering responses from over half of the total VET student population.

PL2030 and EBLIDA welcome the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on the new EU Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. Public libraries are among Europes most valuable and widely used public institutions: 67,000 public libraries serve 757 million visitors and 75 million active users annually, increasingly functioning as multifunctional community hubs that support digital skills, literacy, culture…

All Digital welcomes the development of a new European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training and is pleased to submit its detailed feedback proposal (see attached document). Drawing on the experience of 120 plus member organisations in 31 countries, and a network of more than 25,000 digital competence centres, our proposal outlines how VET can become a central driver of Europe's twin transition…

The European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to develop a comprehensive European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) to strengthen competitiveness and address skills shortages across the Union. ELFAC agrees that reinforcing vocational education and training is an important way to ensure Europes economic resilience and autonomy.

I am writing this advice as a professor of Learning Technology & Analytics at The Hague University of Applied Sciences' Center of Expertise Global & Inclusive Learning. In my research program, No Fairness without Awareness, we investigate systemic inequality of opportunity in higher education (vocational, professional, and academic; in the Netherlands: mbo, hbo, and wo) using statistical methods and machine…

Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG) is an intercultural organisation that has been working for over 40 years to promote social advancement, defend rights, and ensure equal opportunities for the Roma community across Spain, with a strong European dimension.

The Union of Skills should serve as a governance framework that strengthens transparency and effectiveness without imposing additional costs on employers or creating incompatibilities with existing national systems.

1. Recognising VET as a strategic tool for inclusion and reactivation It is recommended to design technical and vocational training not only as a tool for acquiring skills for work, but as a lever for social inclusion, educational reactivation and prevention of exclusion.

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The European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA), representing national associations in 23 EU-member states and in countries outside of the EU (Canada, Japan, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Türkiye and United Kingdom), warmly welcomes a new EU Strategy on Vocational Education and Training. The landscape garden sector is vital for the green transition of the urban area.

The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), the European Region of Education International, is a federation of 120 education trade unions in 48 countries, representing in total 4,9 million members all over Europe.

EFBWW represents trade unions in the construction, wood, forestry, and building materials sectors across Europe. EFBWW calls for a VET Strategy that is worker-centred therefore ensuring that skills policies serve workers and society, not competitiveness alone.

ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland is an institution for vocational education in the Netherlands and we serve approximately 40,000 students across a wide range of programmes. In addition, we are actively engaged in applied research, work closely with businesses and public authorities, and offer training programmes for professionals as part of lifelong learning.

The aim is to contribute to the European strategy for vocational education and training (VET) from the point of view of freelancers and young people, with particular reference to the training needs linked to the twin digital and green transitions. The green and digital transition is profoundly transforming production models, professional services and required skills.

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Region Västra Götaland welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of the future EU VET Strategy. Being Swedens largest industrial region, the Region Västra Götaland sees vocational education and training (VET) as an indispensable tool for ensuring skilled workers, competitiveness, social inclusion, and the green and digital transitions.

CGSP Education calls for the EU VET Strategy to: Treat VET as a public good serving both society and individuals, not only companies. Include VET within the public education system regarding and treating learners as students. Keep VET certifications provided by school systems. Guarantee meaningful social dialogue with education trade unions at all levels.

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The Czech Republic’s input to the public consultation on the forthcoming European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training supports the European Commission’s intention to strengthen the role of vocational education and training (VET) as a key instrument for the competitiveness of the European Union, social cohesion and managing the green and digital transitions.

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The European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) welcomes the European Commissions Call for Evidence on the upcoming European Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy and supports its objective of equipping the EU workforce with the skills needed for the green and digital transitions.

Microfinance Centre, a social finance network promoting fairness, inclusion, equality and responsible service, welcome the upcoming European VET Strategy and its goals to make vocational training more attractive, innovative, and closely aligned with labour-market needs. We particularly value the strategy's focus on supporting SMEs as drivers of competitiveness and growth.

As the European Commission prepares its next European Vocational Education and Training (VET) strategy, we must set the course for VET systems across the EU that empower learners and businesses alike. VET is not only a powerful launchpad into work its a cornerstone of competitiveness, social inclusion, and democratic resilience.

The Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb), the largest education trade union in the Netherlands, representing education professionals across all sectors of education including primary education, secondary education, vocational education and training (VET/mbo), higher professional education and research welcomes the Herning Declaration on attractive and inclusive Vocational Education and Training for increased competitiveness…

___ 1. Strengthening the link between training and the reality of entrepreneurship through proven professional experience of teachers. With the aim of strengthening the employability of students and improving the adequacy of training to the real needs of the labour market, we propose that each school guarantee the existence of one teacher per professional family who can prove real and proven work experience in the…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Under the Union of Skills, the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) aims to support Member States in making VET more attractive, innovative and inclusive, as a key driver for EU competitiveness with a future-ready workforce.

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Lo Sweden thanks for the opportunity to provide input in the context of the European Commission’s initiative on a European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. Here are our thoughts: It is important that all vocational training is qualitative, nationally viable and developed with the social partners in each sector. More places in work-based learning (APL) are needed.

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ETUC calls for a worker centred VET Strategy that delivers concrete rights, quality jobs, fair pay and strong social dialogue. The strategy must be rooted in the European Pillar of Social Rights. ETUC insists that VET must serve workers and society, not only competitiveness.

As an MBO school, we face a number of challenges: * declining number of young people (demographic) * attractiveness of vocational education (and its valuation and remuneration) compared to higher vocational education and university education * changed young people’s aspirations, which calls for far-reaching flexibilisation * shortage of (well-equipped) teachers By ensuring attractive education, competitive working…

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Position Statement Summa Brainport Region (North Brabant) Input for the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) 1. Vocational education as a driver of European competitiveness In innovative regions such as Brainport Eindhoven, vocational education is not a supporting factor, but a strategic pillar of economic growth, innovation and social transitions.

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European Boating Industry (EBI), representing the recreational boating and nautical tourism sector in Europe, welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of a renewed European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. The recreational boating industry forms an important part of Europes blue economy and maritime industry.

Dear Sir/Madam, On behalf of our President, Franz Xaver Peteranderl, and our Chief Executive, Dr Frank Hüpers, please find attached the opinion of the Bavarian Craft Day. As the umbrella organisation of the Bavarian Chambers of Crafts and Associations, the Bavarian Skilled Trades Association (BHT) represents the overall interests of Bavarian crafts and trades with around 213.600 businesses, 954.400 people working…

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The next VET strategy should: 1. Ensure full involvement of trade unions (and social partners, more broadly) in all skills-related initiatives/strategies designed at company, local, sectoral and national levels 2.

General remarks FH - The Danish Trade Union Confederation supports the ambition to give vocational education and training the necessary political and societal weight within the EU. A strong VET strategy can contribute to raising the quality, attractiveness and relevance of vocational education across Member States, while respecting national responsibility for content and organisation.

This contribution, submitted on behalf of UGT (Spain), attaches a detailed document with our analysis and proposals in relation to the future European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET). From a trade union perspective, we consider that the strategy should not focus exclusively on a skills-first approach, but should guarantee the effective right to training as a fundamental right of workers…

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The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), the European Region of Education International, is a federation of 120 education trade unions in 48 countries, representing in total 4,9 million members all over Europe.

* Vocational training is a right for every worker. * Work-related training should continue during working hours. Workers should not suffer any loss of wages * Adequate quality education remains a priority. Privatisation of education should be avoided. * The involvement of employees (through their representatives) in the management of vocational training in the company is extremely important.

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Today, young people grow up in societies where they strengthen extreme political options that challenge the fundamental values of liberal democracy. Trust in democratic institutions is declining, and we are increasingly exposed to hate speech, violence, historical revisionism and misinformation circulated, most often on social media used by young people as main sources of information.

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Transport companies’ views on the European Commission’s European Vocational Education and Training (VET) strategy Transport companies welcome the European Commission’s ambition to strengthen the role of VET in competitiveness, employment and transition. For the transport sector, access to the right skills is a crucial prerequisite for the functioning of public transport, growth and the green and digital transitions.

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