A new report finds European nations increasingly embrace work-based learning in VET reforms.
In times of frequently cited European competitiveness, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) and European Training Foundation (ETF) have published a report presenting the first major stocktaking exercise of implementation of the 2020 Council Recommendation on VET and the Osnabrück Declaration (see SwissCore article) across the EU Member States (EU-27), Norway, Iceland, and five EU candidate countries between 2020 and 2025. The report comes at a strategic moment, following the launch of the Union of Skills in 2025 (see SwissCore article), the Herning Declaration in the same year (see SwissCore article), and shortly before the planned publication of the first EU VET Strategy in late 2026. Additionally, it complements the European Commission’s report (see SwissCore article) published in July, as the CEDEFOP and ETF document provides a more detailed analysis of national policy developments.
The report draws on national implementation plans, stakeholder interviews, and evidence from around 450 policy measures reported between 2020 and 2025. Overall, progress in the implementation of VET policy has been significant, with most policy developments moving from planning into implementation stages between 2023 and 2025. The analysis points to four notable trends: The labour-market alignment of VET is becoming more central; there is a focus on lifelong learning; countries have made new investments in digitalisation and innovation to respond to rapidly changing labour-market needs; and persistent weaknesses within existing VET systems remain.
The most substantial advances were recorded in making VET more responsive to labour-market needs, increasing flexibility through modular learning and recognition of prior learning, expanding digitalisation and innovation, and strengthening quality assurance systems. Work-based learning and apprenticeships continued to expand across Europe, remaining one of the most developed areas of reform. The EU target of 60% of recent VET graduates benefiting from work-based learning was surpassed, reaching 65.3% in 2024. The integration of digital skills and, increasingly, green skills has contributed to the modernisation of the curricula and qualifications. Many countries have invested in digital infrastructure, advanced learning technologies (including AI, VR and XR), and in Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs). The report concludes that European VET systems have become more flexible, digitalised and labour-market-oriented since 2020. However, challenges remain regrading attractiveness, inclusion and long-term sustainability of reforms. Fragmented governance, reliance on short-term project funding, insufficient sustainable financing, and difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified teachers and trainers are all noted as recurring issues across Europe.
Interestingly, the report supports key strengths of the Swiss VET model. Many reforms highlighted in the report, such as strengthening apprenticeships and work-based learning, reflect long-standing characteristics of the Swiss approach. Growing European interest in dual VET systems suggests that countries increasingly value closer links between education and employers to address skills shortages and improve labour-market outcomes. This could create a window of opportunity for policy exchange for Swiss stakeholders, given Switzerland’s VET expertise.
Looking ahead, the report is likely to serve as an important evidence base for the forthcoming EU VET Strategy and for implementing the Union of Skills agenda. It suggests that future efforts will focus less on launching new reforms and more on making existing ones sustainable and systemic. Nevertheless, persistent weaknesses remain a significant obstacle, particularly societal perceptions of VET education, which may prove the most challenging to change.