How Seven European Countries Support VET Career Guidance
Career guidance is a vital pillar in supporting individuals navigate education and employment transitions—especially within Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems. As highlighted in the Skills2Capabilities project, all seven countries studied—Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Norway, and the UK—have taken steps to embed career guidance within their national VET frameworks.
Our research shows that VET support funding operates through diverse channels across Europe, combining public sector leadership with strategic partnerships from private industry and third-sector organizations.
Public Sector as the Foundation
In all seven countries studied, government funding forms the backbone of VET support systems. Whether through direct state budgets, regional allocations, or local authority contributions, public investment ensures that career guidance and VET programs remain accessible to learners regardless of their socioeconomic background.
European Social Fund: A Strategic Catalyst
The European Social Fund (ESF) plays a role in several countries, particularly Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, and Germany. These nations strategically leverage ESF resources to enhance their VET programs, fund continuing education initiatives, and support disadvantaged learners. In Estonia, EU funding specifically supports career guidance workshops for young people in schools, demonstrating how European resources can directly strengthen career guidance provision.
Employer Contributions: Investing in Skills
Employer engagement through financial contributions represents a growing trend, particularly evident in Austria, Germany, and the UK through apprenticeship levies and employer contribution systems. These mechanisms ensure that industry directly invests in skills development while gaining access to relevant, up-to-date training programs.
Third Sector and NGO Contributions
Our research highlights the important role of non-governmental organizations and third-sector providers, particularly in supporting vulnerable groups and specialized populations. In Germany, for example, non-profit organizations provide crucial support for socially disadvantaged learners, while Bulgaria's NGOs contribute to career guidance development and implementation.
Beyond Funding: Systematic Approaches Matter
As European countries continue to develop their VET systems in response to changing labor markets and technological advancement, understanding these diverse funding approaches becomes increasingly important. The Skills2Capabilities project's research demonstrates that while contexts differ, the combination of public investment, European support, employer engagement, and third-sector contributions creates the foundation for effective career guidance in VET.
The success of these funding models ultimately depends not just on the resources available, but on how well different stakeholders collaborate to create coherent, accessible, and responsive support systems for VET learners throughout their educational and career journeys.
The Skills2Capabilities project continues to explore how countries can develop more resilient and adaptive skills systems.
Read the full working paper:
Skills Formation System (PDF)
