On 5 November, EfVET participated in the workshop “Empowering Futures: Boosting VET and ALE Attractiveness Across Regions” organised by the European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for lifelong learning (EARLALL), GO! Education of the Flemish Community and the Crescendo CVO training centre in Mechelen (Belgium).
The workshop aimed to reimagine the future of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Adult Learning and Education (ALE) not as second choices, but as inspiring and accessible pathways to meaningful careers and lifelong development.
After the introductory remarks by the organisers and representatives from the Mechelen municipality, Ms Hjordis Virgarsdottir Dalsgaard (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission) gave an overview of the current policies concerning skills and VET, especially focusing on the upcoming VET strategy in 2026. She mentioned that the strategy will support EU Member States to make VET a driver of competitiveness, employment and innovation, improving its attractiveness by boosting enrolments and tackling negative stereotypes, ensuring quality of education and better mobility and labour market experiences.
Dr Paul Redmond, Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (Ireland), illustrated findings from the Horizon Europe TRAILS project on skills mismatches in Europe. Research shows that measuring attractiveness across Europe is complex, yet determinants of lower VET attractiveness are usually found in the socio-economic background of learners and their families, GDP per capita and pertinence of curricula. However, choosing VET usually means increased job satisfaction, a greater sense of job security and improved work-life balance.
The second part of the workshop, moderated by Prof. Paolo Federighi from the University of Florence, involved representatives from EARLALL members from the Basque Country, Tuscany, Region Västra Götaland, Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland, who presented case studies and best practices for regions-VET providers cooperation to improve the provision of technical vocational education and training in a perspective of lifelong learning. Panellists made a case for the important role of local and regional authorities in ensuring that VET becomes more attractive and matches the needs of both citizens and the private sector.
EfVET is glad to continue and strengthen its cooperation with EARLALL to create synergies on skills, education and VET provision in the EU and in its dialogue with the European institutions.
