European Commission launches strategy to strengthen vocational skills
The European Commission has launched the European VET strategy as part of its Education and Skills package. Through the strategy, the EU will better support EU countries in modernising their VET systems.
The European VET strategy will support learners to get skills that drive innovation and growth through training on cutting-edge technology and give them access to careers with long-term prospects.
A key initiative of the strategy is a European Sectoral Training Accelerator, which will draw inspiration from the EuroSkills and WorldSkills Occupational Standards to foster excellence in VET and industry engagement.
A common direction for VET in the EU
The Commission’s VET strategy puts forward 10 initiatives under the objectives of: more flexible and higher-quality VET systems, stronger links between VET, business and strategic sectors, and making VET more European and international.
Key initiatives include
- European Sectoral Training Accelerator with a pilot starting in 2027 to offer short, flexible training modules, developed with industry, which VET providers can add to national programmes. They will be developed with industry partners and offer shared quality standards.
- VET business partnerships for new training centres, set up jointly by companies and VET institutions, to give learners access to innovative technology and the skills to use it effectively and help businesses adopt new technologies.
- EU mobility marketplace to help VET learners and apprentices find training abroad and to support companies and VET schools in organising quality exchange opportunities.
Learn more about the initiatives
Laurence Gates, CEO, WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are highly encouraged and motivated by the Commission’s European VET strategy, which will support EU countries to modernise their VET systems and equip people with the skills needed to thrive in today's rapidly changing world,"
“The European Sectoral Training Accelerator, in particular, which will draw inspiration from the WorldSkills and EuroSkills Occupational Standards, is an incredibly exciting initiative. The Occupational Standards, which are developed by WorldSkills and WorldSkills Europe in partnership with Members, industry leading companies and VET institutions from across the world, are the common global language for VET, reflecting the occupations that are represented by WorldSkills and EuroSkills Competitions. The Standards provide impetus for countries to adapt and implement changes to teaching and training methods to drive up standards of education that ultimately support industry and economic growth.”
Next steps
On 20 November, the European Commission will host the 2026 European Education and Skills Summit to launch implementation of the Education and Skills package alongside EU countries, social partners, school networks, teacher organisations, EdTech companies and pupils’ representatives.
Background
The Education and Skills package is a key contribution to the Union of Skills and aims to support EU countries to achieve the agreed 2030 EU-level targets.
The VET Strategy builds on the framework set out in the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training. It focuses on key areas where the EU level can best support EU countries in their reforms and policies. In the 2025 Herning declaration, EU countries have already committed to modernise and make their VET systems strong and future-fit.
These actions are also aligned with the Apply AI Strategy, which focuses on supporting the adoption of AI across key strategic industries and the public sector, including education.