The future of voca­tio­nal education and training

Under the lea­der­ship of 3s, more than 100 rese­ar­chers from all EU member states are inve­sti­ga­ting the status and per­spec­ti­ves of voca­tio­nal education and training in Europe and preparing future direc­tions in education policy.

Two nar­ra­ti­ves, which could not be more con­tra­dic­to­ry, have dominated the debate on the deve­lo­p­ment of voca­tio­nal education and training in Europe for years. Some see it as an outdated model — due to the change to knowledge society, the trend towards higher qua­li­fi­ca­ti­on and the incre­a­sing importance of trans­ver­sal com­pe­ten­ces. Others see a renais­sance of VET, pointing to the digi­ta­li­sa­ti­on of app­ren­ti­ce­ships and the estab­lish­ment of higher voca­tio­nal education.

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), an agency of the European Union, wanted clarity and com­mis­sio­ned 3s with the three-year project ‘The Changing Nature and Role of VET’. Together with rese­ar­chers from all EU member states, the changes over the past 20 years were examined. The final report, published in 2020, sum­ma­ri­ses the results and also outlines three scenarios for the year 2035. One con­clu­si­on: VET has indeed changed radically. While, for example, the training of skilled workers has lost importance, at the same time voca­tio­nal ori­en­ta­ti­on in training — also in higher education — has become more and more pronounced.

As a result, Cedefop has also com­mis­sio­ned 3s to lead the follow-up project ‘The Future of voca­tio­nal education and training’. Once again, more than 100 rese­ar­chers from all 27 EU Member States as well as the United Kingdom, Iceland and Norway are par­ti­ci­pa­ting. Together they are analysing the oppor­tu­ni­ties and chal­lenges of European voca­tio­nal education and training in detail and thus preparing future direc­tions in education policy.


Project: The Future of Vocational Education and Training

Contact: Jörg Markowitsch

Mail to joerg.markowitsch@3s.co.at

Client: Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training)

Duration: 2020-2023

Services & Events

EQAVET Peer Review Initiative

3s supports the European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training Network (EQAVET) in carrying out peer reviews in the field of quality assurance of national VET systems.

Studies & Analyses

Ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the European Social Fund

3s supports the ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the 2014–2020 European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative under the multiple framework contracts related to the imple­men­ta­ti­on of Better Regulation guidelines.

Studies & Analyses

Tackling incre­a­sing skill mis­mat­ches in European labour markets

3s receives 2.4 million Euros from the pre­sti­gious Horizon Europe programme to explore how skill systems across Europe can reduce the level of skill mismatch and better respond to deve­lo­p­ments in their labour markets. 

Studies & Analyses

Inclusion and Diversity in Erasmus+ practice

3s conducts research to provide valuable insights for the newly estab­lished SALTO Resource Centre to help design and shape their future offer.

Services & Events

EQAVET Peer Review Initiative

3s supports the European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training Network (EQAVET) in carrying out peer reviews in the field of quality assurance of national VET systems.

Studies & Analyses

Ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the European Social Fund

3s supports the ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the 2014–2020 European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative under the multiple framework contracts related to the imple­men­ta­ti­on of Better Regulation guidelines.

Studies & Analyses

Tackling incre­a­sing skill mis­mat­ches in European labour markets

3s receives 2.4 million Euros from the pre­sti­gious Horizon Europe programme to explore how skill systems across Europe can reduce the level of skill mismatch and better respond to deve­lo­p­ments in their labour markets. 

Services & Events

EQAVET Peer Review Initiative

3s supports the European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training Network (EQAVET) in carrying out peer reviews in the field of quality assurance of national VET systems.

Studies & Analyses

Ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the European Social Fund

3s supports the ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the 2014–2020 European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative under the multiple framework contracts related to the imple­men­ta­ti­on of Better Regulation guidelines.

Services & Events

EQAVET Peer Review Initiative

3s supports the European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training Network (EQAVET) in carrying out peer reviews in the field of quality assurance of national VET systems.

Studies & Analyses

Ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the European Social Fund

3s supports the ex-post eva­lua­ti­on of the 2014–2020 European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative under the multiple framework contracts related to the imple­men­ta­ti­on of Better Regulation guidelines.