European Skills & VET Week 2026: your voice matters

Poland: skills policy reinforced at regional level

Regional coordination teams for skills policy become a permanent feature, formally integrating them into the national skills governance framework and expanding voivodeships' responsibilities for sk

Spain: new VET qualifications boost strategic sectors

In early 2026, the Spanish Government approved eight new specialist courses and professional certificates (EQFs 4-5), targeting digital innovation and high-quality tourism to boost skilled jobs, dr

Iceland: growing Erasmus+ opportunities call for stronger international cooperation in VET

In Iceland, increased funding for vocational education and training (VET) under the Erasmus+ programme is creating new opportunities for learners and staff.

Norway: powering trust in VET recognition

The EU-co-funded BRAVO II project strengthens trust and cooperation in the recognition of vocational qualifications by linking European authorities through a dedicated network and funded job shadow

Slovakia: VET action plan supports nuclear skills for green transition

Slovakia is strengthening its nuclear skills base to support the green transition.

Beyond training: what drives skills development at work?

Luxembourg: One year to a qualification with fast-track vocational route

From the 2026/27 school year, Luxembourg is introducing a new fast-track vocational route designed to strengthen the link between education and labour-market needs, known as ‘1re DAP’. 

Czechia: legal framework strengthens dual VET

Czechia has introduced a structured legal framework for dual practical training to strengthen cooperation between schools and employers and support learners’ transitions from education to the labou

Germany: VET at the highest qualification level

Germany's academic path peaks with a doctorate at the top DQF/EQF level 8, but vocational training has no equivalent.

European Vocational Teacher Survey pilot results: VET teachers under pressure

The first pilot findings from Cedefop's

Romania: mechanism on quality assurance and monitoring of IVET work-based learning

Between June and November 2025, the National Centre for TVET Development (NCTVETD), in its role as Romania’s reference point for the European Quality Assurance Framework for Vocational Education an

Estonia: new one-year preparatory programme supporting transition to upper secondary education

From 2026/27, Estonia will introduce a new preparatory programme for lower-secondary graduates who require additional time and support before progressing to upper secondary general or vocational ed

Bridging borders through data for a more competitive Europe

Cedefop’s online tool dedicated to National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) has proven a reli

Italy: New guidelines strengthen Interprofessional Funds for continuing vocational training

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policies has adopted new guidelines for Joint Interprofessional Funds for continuing vocational training (CVET).

Netherlands: Financial guidance supports VET student retention

An unexpected debt or uncertainty about tuition fees, can affect learners’ ability to continue their studies.

Denmark: new guide supports lawful use of AI

In January 2026, the Danish Ministry of Children and Education published a new practical guide to help educational institutions ensure the lawful and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI)

Europe's learning systems in 2040: new Cedefop research maps five policy scenarios

Europe's ambition of a genuinely borderless learning space — where qualifications travel with people, and skills earned in one context are recognised in another — remains work in progress.

Finland: new national policy guidelines for the development of VET

In December 2025, Finland introduced new national policy guidel

Inclusive VET in practice: Cyprus’ contribution to Europe’s skills agenda

People, skills and inclusion are at the core of the agenda of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.