National Practices Supporting VET Systems: Multi-agency Collaboration
This blog post offers a snapshot of key insights from the Skills2Capabilities project case studies—summarized in the infographic below—that show countries support VET career guidance.
This blog post shares insights from the Skills2Capabilities project, illustrated through national case studies and infographics. It highlights how cooperation between guidance, employment, and training services leads to more coherent and supportive learner journeys—particularly for those facing complex life or work transitions.
Finland’s Ohjaamo One-Stop Guidance Centres are designed to support young people under 30 with career advice, education and training information, job placement help, mental health services, and social support. Each centre is locally operated but nationally branded, providing accessible and welcoming spaces for youth to explore their options without needing appointments or referrals. Ohjaamos address the fragmentation that often complicates access to guidance and social services.
In Norway, the Trøndelag model shows how regional cooperation can support more flexible vocational pathways, particularly for adults. Public career centres work alongside vocational schools and the national employment agency (Nav) to provide tailored support for individuals seeking re-entry into education or the labour market. This collaboration is grounded in long-term partnerships, even though employer involvement still varies across regions. The strength of the model lies in its consistency and responsiveness to regional economic and social needs.
England’s Skills Bootcamps are a more recent development focused on adult upskilling. These short, intensive training programmes are co-designed with employers to fill skills gaps in sectors like technology, logistics, and green energy. Participants receive targeted training with the promise of a guaranteed interview at the end. Local authorities help coordinate the delivery and ensure that participants also receive guidance during the application and orientation phases. The Bootcamps reflect a strong commitment to flexible, demand-driven learning supported by integrated guidance.
Together, these models from Finland, Norway, and the UK demonstrate how guidance systems can become more effective when services work together across sectors. By working together, these systems provide a stronger foundation for successful transitions into and through VET—and more sustained support for navigating today’s increasingly complex learning and labour market pathways.
To read more about the Skills2Capabilities findings, visit skills2capabilities.eu.
Read the full working paper:
Skills Formation System (PDF)
