What Can We Learn from VET and Skills Practices Across Europe?: Insights from the Skills2Capabilities Workshop

On 18 June 2025, the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Leicester, hosted an international workshop titled “What Can We Learn from VET and Skills Practices Across Europe?”. The event was part of the ongoing Skills2Capabilities research initiative

Insights from Across Europe

The workshop was structured around two main sessions. The first offered a view of skills ecosystems across six European countries and the UK, drawing from the research done in the project. It laid the groundwork for understanding the varying approaches countries take in designing their skills systems, highlighting contextual drivers, institutional differences, and evolving demands.

The second session built on this foundation examining national initiatives and programmes from Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Norway, and the UK. These examples illustrated how services are implemented on the ground—what’s working, what’s not, and where innovation is emerging. 

Voices and Views from the Workshop

Several ideas resonated throughout the day:

Career guidance is crucial: It’s not just about helping people find jobs—it’s about supporting them find direction, build confidence, and adapt to changes over time. Many countries are now integrating lifelong guidance more systematically into education and employment services.

Collaboration matters: Effective VET systems are built on strong partnerships—between educators, employers, public employment services, and communities. The more connected the system, the better it can respond to individual needs and labour market demands.

Inclusion and equity need attention: Reaching vulnerable groups—such as NEET youth (not in education, employment, or training), migrants, or adults with low qualifications—is essential for social cohesion. 

Digital transformation is underway: While progress varies, there is growing momentum to use technology to deliver more accessible and personalised guidance services, and to share real-time labour market data with VET learners, those provide support services, trainers and educators.

What Do Participants Think?

Participants were also given a chance to weigh in through live polls. When asked what they saw as the most critical factor for improving VET systems in their countries, top responses included:

• Better integration of career guidance,
• Stronger collaboration with employers,
• More flexible and modular learning options.

Another key takeaway from the discussions was the need for smarter policy coordination—both at national and EU levels—to support innovation, scale up good practices, and ensure that systems evolve alongside economic and social changes.

Looking Ahead

The insights and conversations from this event will directly inform a forthcoming cross-country comparative report, which will offer policy recommendations on how to strengthen guidance and VET systems across Europe. As jobs evolve and lifelong learning becomes the norm, countries need to ensure their training systems are responsive, inclusive, and connected. The Skills2Capabilities project continues to explore how to make this possible—and how to ensure that individuals aren’t just trained for jobs, but empowered for their futures.

Read the full papers:
Skills Formation System (PDF)

Vocational Education and Training systems in practice:
Country Case Studies