Exploring excel­lence and inclusion in voca­tio­nal education and training

3s coor­di­na­tes a signi­fi­cant study com­mis­sio­ned by Cedefop titled ‘European VET for the 21st Century: The Balancing of Excellence and Inclusion’.

In recent times, European VET policy has con­ti­nuous­ly empha­sis­ed the crucial aspects of excel­lence and inclusion. This new research projects aims to compare how various countries navigate the over­ar­ching VET-policy goals of ‘excel­lence’ and ‘inclusion’ and to determine whether these seemingly opposing prio­ri­ties com­ple­ment or con­tra­dict each other.

The study builds upon the insights gleaned from Cedefop’s prior projects, namely ‘The changing nature and role of VET in Europe’ (2015–18) and the ‘Future of VET’ (2019–22) – both of which were also coor­di­na­ted by 3s. Leveraging the three-per­spec­ti­ve ana­ly­ti­cal model for under­stan­ding and comparing VET developed in previous Cedefop projects, this current research aims to elaborate on the concepts of excel­lence and inclusion.

The study covers three distinct work strands:

  • Evolving national VET objec­ti­ves and prio­ri­ties: This involves mapping how national VET systems have addressed the objec­ti­ves of excel­lence and inclusion over the past 25 years.
  • Excellence and inclusion – concept explo­ra­ti­on and inclusion in national VET objec­ti­ves: Building on com­pa­ra­ti­ve and histo­ri­cal data collected, this strand delves into the con­cep­tu­al under­pin­nings of these objec­ti­ves and how they manifest in practical policies and reforms.
  • Expanding VET at higher levels and the impli­ca­ti­ons for excel­lence and inclusion: Focusing on the evolving role and cha­rac­te­ri­stics of VET expansion at higher levels, this strand explores its influence on the objec­ti­ves of excel­lence and inclusion.

This com­pre­hen­si­ve research project is orche­stra­ted by 3s in col­la­bo­ra­ti­on with Ockham IPS (NL) as a con­sor­ti­um partner. The research involves a team of country experts spanning all EU Member States, as well as Iceland, Norway, and the UK.


Project: European VET for the 21st century the balancing of excel­lence and Inclusion

Contact: Karin Luomi-Messerer

Mail to karin.luomi-messerer@3s.co.at

Client: Cedefop

Duration: 12/2023-12/2026

Tools & Applications

All occu­pa­ti­ons in one click — The AMS world of occupations

The online Occupational Information System of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) provides details on all occu­pa­ti­ons and app­ren­ti­ce­ships. 3s experts are con­stant­ly deve­lo­ping this tool and main­tai­ning its content.

Studies & Analyses

Feasibility studies for new higher education programmes

Since the estab­lish­ment of uni­ver­si­ties of applied sciences, 3s supported the accre­di­ta­ti­on of new study pro­gram­mes through fea­si­bi­li­ty studies. These provide infor­ma­ti­on on the future demand for study places or the labour market

Studies & Analyses

Competences for a Democratic Culture in VET

The Council of Europe launched a new project on promoting a culture of democracy in Vocational Education and Training in Europe with Jörg Markowitsch as an expert.

Services & Events

Expert support on VET issues for the European Commission

3s experts are involved in providing a number of support services in the field of quality assurance in VET to the Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL).

Tools & Applications

All occu­pa­ti­ons in one click — The AMS world of occupations

The online Occupational Information System of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) provides details on all occu­pa­ti­ons and app­ren­ti­ce­ships. 3s experts are con­stant­ly deve­lo­ping this tool and main­tai­ning its content.

Studies & Analyses

Feasibility studies for new higher education programmes

Since the estab­lish­ment of uni­ver­si­ties of applied sciences, 3s supported the accre­di­ta­ti­on of new study pro­gram­mes through fea­si­bi­li­ty studies. These provide infor­ma­ti­on on the future demand for study places or the labour market

Studies & Analyses

Competences for a Democratic Culture in VET

The Council of Europe launched a new project on promoting a culture of democracy in Vocational Education and Training in Europe with Jörg Markowitsch as an expert.

Tools & Applications

All occu­pa­ti­ons in one click — The AMS world of occupations

The online Occupational Information System of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) provides details on all occu­pa­ti­ons and app­ren­ti­ce­ships. 3s experts are con­stant­ly deve­lo­ping this tool and main­tai­ning its content.

Studies & Analyses

Feasibility studies for new higher education programmes

Since the estab­lish­ment of uni­ver­si­ties of applied sciences, 3s supported the accre­di­ta­ti­on of new study pro­gram­mes through fea­si­bi­li­ty studies. These provide infor­ma­ti­on on the future demand for study places or the labour market

Tools & Applications

All occu­pa­ti­ons in one click — The AMS world of occupations

The online Occupational Information System of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) provides details on all occu­pa­ti­ons and app­ren­ti­ce­ships. 3s experts are con­stant­ly deve­lo­ping this tool and main­tai­ning its content.

Studies & Analyses

Feasibility studies for new higher education programmes

Since the estab­lish­ment of uni­ver­si­ties of applied sciences, 3s supported the accre­di­ta­ti­on of new study pro­gram­mes through fea­si­bi­li­ty studies. These provide infor­ma­ti­on on the future demand for study places or the labour market