This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
The objective is to elaborate an action plan for the green transition in education and training, outlining concrete measures. This is intended to address the expected demand for skilled workers and to strengthen the stakeholders involved.
The focus of this action plan is on the energy transition. It is planned that other topics such as mobility, circular economy and social aspects will be addressed in the future. The overall aim is to achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In order to set up the action plan for the green transition in education and training, the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection (BMK) together with the Vienna Public Employment Service (AMS) and the Vienna Chamber of Labour (AK) initiated the 'Just transition working group on training and further education'. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economics (BMAW) was involved in line with its responsibility in the area of vocational training.
In several workshops,...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) (until 2025)
Federal Ministry of Education (BMB)
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK)
At the programme objective level, the following goals should be achieved: increase in success rates and reduction in class repetitions and dropouts.
The programme itself aims at the implementation of needs-based support measures including individual learning support; semester-by-semester distribution of subject matter into competence modules; and the promotion of the continuous performance of learners.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2019, an extensive evaluation of the NOST system took place. It was published in 2020 and formed the basis for further improving the semester-based education system. In 2022, the legal foundations were laid for the reform of upper secondary education to a ‘semester-based upper secondary education’ (SOST). The SOST system thus replaces the predecessor model NOST and is applied from the 10th grade onwards at general and vocational schools, with the exclusion of the apprenticeship...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) (until 2025)
To support the development of competences that create more added value, to improve continuing training and retraining opportunities, including WBL, to respond swiftly to the development needs of the world of labour and ensure that people are equipped with the right knowledge and skills for employment.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Developing WBL and practical training includes the following measures:
VET and higher education development programme PRÕM+, empowering professional associations and enterprises to provide WBL and apprenticeships and expand WBL;
quality assurance of WBL and practical training.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To develop and implement a holistic approach to supporting learners with SEN or migrant background, and to diversify training provision for vulnerable groups, in order to prevent inequalities and segregation, exploiting every individual’s potential to the fullest.
To reduce the general risk of exclusion of young people and ensure the fastest and smoothest possible return of the young not in education, employment or training (NEET) to the education system or the labour market.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The following measures are foreseen:
diversifying professional and training choices for vulnerable groups;
supporting SEN learners in schools and in providing employment supported by guidance and counselling;
supporting students with a native language other than Estonian, including those from a migrant background, in learning Estonian and providing additional Estonian language tuition;
reforming support systems for SEN students, including aligning information systems to support flexible...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To increase employment of 20 to 64-year-olds to 75% through activation measures for the unemployed, especially long-term, young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs), rapid and quality job transitions for young graduates, developing human resources, stimulating entrepreneurial culture, entrepreneurship and creation of new opportunities and jobs.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The National strategy for employment 2021-27 outlines an integrated vision of labour market demand and supply policies.
It was designed to respond to the European priorities set in the European package of measures for more social cohesion and in the European Green deal promoting measures to address climate change challenges, and to the national priorities set to diminish and limit the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and labour market.
The strategy was developed in a challenging...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity
Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (until 2021)
To aid lifelong learning and recognition of competences and qualifications through establishing a system of transferable credits used in the professional training of adults.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The development of the transferable credit system includes methodology for granting transferable credits for the professional training of adults including categories of skills to be considered for certification of competences: key, technical and occupation-related. It facilitates mobility and complies with the general provisions regarding competences acquired in education and training, including adult training.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To provide access to quality IVET, increase employment of recent VET graduates, better adapt qualifications to the labour market needs, create new VET paths, with more bridges to higher education, and improve school infrastructure.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Educated Romania underlines the commitment to adjusting the education system to current and emerging challenges. Education and skills-related measures and actions are to be implemented with the support of State budget and EU funds. The strategy foresees adopting a legislative package ensuring implementation of the vision and goals.
The National Centre for TVET Development, responsible for the organisation and implementation of IVET, contributes to the implementation of the goals set at...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To broaden workforce knowledge and skills related to the green economy, and to address skills gaps to support the green and digital transitions in VET.
The development of population´s digital skills is guided by national targets set in the Education strategy 2021-35:
the share of 16 to 24-year-olds with digital skills above the basic level should increase to 90% by 2035 (2019: 76.2%)
the percentage of 16 to 74-year-olds with digital skills above the basic level should increase to 60% by 2035...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The following measures are envisaged:
developing the principles for skills-based curriculum development in VET;
developing principles for addressing the skills needed for the green transition, including competences supporting the development of environmental awareness in VET;
a total of 2 830 people to be trained in VET, higher education and continuing education under the green transition actions in 2022-24;
a total of 2 000 people to be trained in VET, higher and continuing education as part...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To ensure an inclusive and sustainable network and infrastructure of education institutions providing high-quality VET to different target groups in a learning environment that supports contemporary approaches to learning and teaching.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The following measures are foreseen:
carrying out a study on the VET institutions network in 2023;
designing the network of VET institutions in line with the reorganisation of secondary education and in connection with the development of the school network in other areas of education;
implementing a performance-based funding model for VET;
defining selection principles and criteria for centres of excellence in VET, defining R&D links, and drawing up a concept for centres of excellence;
empowering...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The main goal of Anlehre+ is to offer more flexible and shorter low-threshold training pathways that allow people with (multiple) placement barriers to stay in the VET system and thus increase their chances of obtaining a training qualification.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2022, the Centre for Education and Training (ZAWM) in Eupen submitted an application for the project Anlehre+, to be financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). This project aims to develop and implement flexible, low-threshold and shorter training pathways, for young people with a higher need for care targeting also migrants (including refugees) and learners with disabilities.
The project teaches apprentices fundamental core competencies in vocational skills, language, general knowledge,...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
In a globalising society, there is a need for competencies in the work environment, which often exceed specific technical competencies. These allow working in an internationally influenced environment and include intercultural competencies, speaking foreign languages, self-management and adaptability.
To respond to the need to internationalise the Flemish VET institutions
VET institutions that want to...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Internationalisation continues to gain importance, also in VET. Skills in globalisation can be developed in the (often multicultural) school context, but only if the education staff have already acquired these competencies themselves. It is even better if learners and teachers are immersed in an international learning work experience. For instance, the Erasmus+ traineeship for VET learners will positively affect the attractiveness of VET in Flanders. Mobility of educational staff should also...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy (until 2025)
Flemish Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy
The XR action plan pursues the following objectives:
providing XR materials (hardware and software) for all secondary VET schools with a low-threshold access;
increasing the professionalisation of teaching staff regarding XR use and XR applications;
increasing knowledge about XR for all Flemish schools.
With the InnoVET XR projects we also want to create a broader basis for innovative XR use in the five provinces and build new innovative digital material (software, apps) that can be used by...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The XR action plan was concretised into four closely-intertwined actions:
Action 1. Practice-oriented research: an innovation can only be sustainably embedded if it can rely on (scientific) evidence about its effectiveness. Does this innovation actually contribute to achieving a certain objective? But also: what works in day-to-day educational practice and in what circumstances/with what support? Additional scientific research is also needed for XR in general. It is a living theme, constantly...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The Digital education action plan (Digisprong) aims to address several challenges:
the availability of ICT infrastructure for all schools in compulsory education;
the need for schools to develop and implement a school-specific ICT policy, originated by the ICT coordinator or the ICT team of the school;
develop teacher and school ICT skills and provide them with digital learning resources;
create a knowledge centre ‘Digisprong’ as a unit within the Flemish Ministry of Education and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
That the Digital education action plan (Digisprong) will have important consequences for many schools is beyond dispute. Strategic objectives and concrete actions were formulated for each challenge. Those include:
ICT infrastructure
provide every learner in secondary education with a device;
provide ICT equipment for teachers through the school:
bolster the ICT infrastructure within the school;
facilitate the use of connectivity and telecom services with special attention to security and speed...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The objective of the Higher education advancement fund is to make higher education in Flanders more digital, flexible and modern. One of the key points is to further develop lifelong learning in higher education, including more focus on labour market needs.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The main actions within the key point 'further developing lifelong learning in higher education' of the Higher education advancement fund are:
1. Agile offer of lifelong learning
There is a need for retraining, reorientation and reskilling. This includes developing micro-credentials and reshaping of programmes, in which social partners are involved. It is essential to strengthen cooperation with the private sector, e.g. in the context of dual learning. New, innovative pathways should also be...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy (until 2025)
To evolve to an innovative knowledge society a resilient and (re-)skilled workforce is needed. By offering (financial) support to individuals and enterprises, the Flemish government wants to increase the participation rate in lifelong learning. Incentives for learners and companies aim to promote work-based and lifelong learning and encourage the provision of quality guidance in the workplace.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Incentives for work-based learning In 2015, the federal incentives for VET became Flemish, due to a State reform. Since then, young people (below the age of 18) and the training companies, which offer work-based learning, receive a bonus each school year (starting bonus for learners, internship bonus for companies). In addition, training companies receive a reduction in employer’s social security contribution paid by companies for employees who are low-educated young people, apprentices in...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy (until 2025)
With the Excellence Initiative for vocational education and training (VET), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is providing targeted impetus for a necessary boost in attractiveness and modernity. The aim is to contribute to the necessary change in society's appreciation of VET. The Excellence Initiative for VET is a crucial part of the Federal Government's skilled labour strategy.
The initiative aims to increase the attractiveness of VET for all young people. A special...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
With the Excellence Initiative for VET policy projects are combined into an overarching agenda. Individual activities will be launched successively during 2022 to 2026. Over EUR 750 million have been earmarked for this purpose.
In order to give new impetus to VET, the Excellence Initiative focusses on three central fields of action.
Improving individual opportunity support for talents in VET, to ensure that skilled workers and young people can develop their potential in the best possible...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) (since 2025)
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (until 2025)
raise the status of higher vocational education and stimulate the development of excellence in this area;
provide outstanding vocational colleges with the resources to work long-term on quality development and innovation in higher vocational education;
stimulate increased cooperation among vocational colleges and different education levels, and strengthen their cooperation with the labour market.
This means that the centres will amongst others work on shorter qualifications,...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Centres of vocational excellence are intended to contribute to increasing professional competence and the quality of training at vocational colleges. Similar to centres for excellent education in the university and college sector, this is a prestigious scheme which should, among other things, stimulate increased quality in the vocational colleges that serve upper secondary learners, including apprentices, young people (15-29 years) and adult learners.
Centres of vocational excellence have...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education and Research (KD)
Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills
The objective of the expert group is to assess pedagogical, ethical and legal issues of using digital learning analytics based on the data about student learning activities, to improve, directly or indirectly, their learning.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
An expert group for digital learning analysis was established in autumn 2021 to provide the Ministry of Education and Research with a better basis for decisions about digital learning analytics and adaptive teaching aids, exams and tests in lower and upper secondary education, higher education, and higher vocational education. It should also advise on the need for regulation and input for policy development and measures from the Ministry of Education and its subordinate directorates. The task...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The Lifelong learning catalyst (LLO katalysator) aims to achieve an independently functioning lifelong learning ecosystem in which organisations (for example companies) and professionals (adult learners) can adequately respond to the rapidly changing labour market and society. This should lead to higher participation in lifelong learning and thus strengthen economic growth.
The role of the catalyst is to:
initiate and coordinate cooperation between education, business, and government;
create...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Lifelong learning catalyst (LLO katalysator) is an initiative of VET colleges, applied universities and research universities to boost life-long learning nationally and regionally. The LLO katalysator project, from 2022 to 2027, focuses on various objectives, including the demand-oriented development of (modular) training programmes.
The education ministry is responsible for the project. To achieve the project's goals, all educational/knowledge institutions, MBO-HBO-WO, work together with...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Council for upper secondary VET schools (MBO Raad)
Universities of the Netherlands (UNL)
Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen)
Contributing to strengthening the participation of employers’ organisations in networks of production, exchange and application of knowledge, as well as reinforcing the technological intensity and/or knowledge of the activity of employers' organisations.
Improving the employability of citizens.
Improving the competitive capacity of the national economy.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
These programmes are designed to meet the needs of professionals in a specific area, responding to market needs and creating value for professionals and institutions, serving as a national reference in the area.
Programmes are developed within the scope of cooperation between higher education institutions and public and private employers, with a view to providing students with competences in transversal subjects valued by the labour market and facilitating their professional integration in...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The goal of the action plan and the related set of measures is to improve the quality of citizenship education in VET.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Citizenship education plays a vital role in preparing students for full participation and functioning in society. In the Netherlands, this means fostering a culture of mutual respect, upholding democratic principles and the rule of law, and recognising and respecting individual freedoms. It also means empowering people by strengthening their civic and social skills, and enabling them to develop critical thinking and functioning in society. This includes understanding one's rights and...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
This measure aims to promote vocational education and training (VET) and make it more attractive, bringing more students to choose the vocational training path earlier and allowing young people faster entry into the labour market. This should have a positive impact on youth employment in Lithuania.
The development of experimental training programmes brings opportunities for students who have completed the first part of the basic education programme. They can study according to the...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
According to the Government Strategic Analysis Centre (STRATA) study University, college or vocational training institution?, based on data retrieved from the 2013/14 school year to the 2018/19 school year, the number of students who chose to study in vocational education institutions together with second part of the basic education programme education has doubled. The number of students who chose to study only according to initial vocational education programmes (ISCED 2) has been...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
qualify people from other sectors and/or unemployed people who want to join the tourism sector;
decentralise training in tourism and adapt it to local needs;
contribute to the sustainability and quality of the service provided by companies and agents in the sector, valuing professions and promoting work in tourism;
provide all professionals in the tourism sector with a wide range of training opportunities.
The training in the framework of...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The programmes of the tourism sector are developed by the tourism schools of Portugal, in partnership with municipalities as agents closer to local realities and mobilisers of the strategic change that it is intended to achieve. They are addressed to tourism sector professionals from micro and small enterprises; entrepreneurs and managers in the tourism sector; and other people interested in working in the sector. The training aims to promote the adaptation capacity of the enterprises to new...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI)
Youth STEAM incentive (Impulso Jovem STEAM) aims to increase by 10% over the next 5 years the number of young people in higher education, in areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), in line with the new needs of the labour market.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Financial support for projects promoted and to be implemented by higher education institutions (HEI), in partnership or in consortium with enterprises, public and/or private employers, municipalities and local, regional and national public entities, as well as in close cooperation with secondary schools. They may take the form of schools, alliances and/or programmes, oriented to strengthen initial higher education and to increase the number of graduates in STEAM areas throughout the country...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (until April 2024)
Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES) (until September 2025)
Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) (since April 2024)
Institute for Higher Education (IES) (since September 2025)
The Adults impulse (Impulso Adultos) programme aims at strengthening and diversifying postsecondary training, ensuring the retraining and upgrading of skills through the development of flexible qualification solutions, able to respond to the transformation of labour markets and the new requirements of employability.
This reinforces the connection to the systems of science and higher education in the search for joint solutions that improve both the relevance of acquired skills and the success...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Financial support for programmes promoted and to be implemented by HEIs, in partnership or in consortium with enterprises, public and/or private employers and including local, regional and national authorities and public bodies. They may take the form of schools, alliances and/or programmes, oriented towards initial and post-graduate higher training of adults (including short-term post-graduate diplomas and masters' degrees), in all areas of knowledge. They work towards lifelong training, as...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (until April 2024)
Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES) (until September 2025)
Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) (since April 2024)
Institute for Higher Education (IES) (since September 2025)
Reinforcing the technological infrastructure of the teaching establishments/schools that offer vocational education.
Reinforcing the attractiveness of dual certification secondary level training and increasing the number of young graduates in specialisation areas such as climate and digital transitions.
Modernising the training offer in technological areas with great potential for the creation of added value.
Investing in the development of qualifications/skills for innovation and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Specialised technological centres (Centros Tecnológicos Especializados) are an investment in modernising training in technological areas, particularly emerging sectors with a high potential for added value. They re-equip and strengthen the technological infrastructure of education establishments providing lower secondary vocational education, and develop new courses linked to the green and digital transitions. It is intended to create 365 specialised technological centres, and to reorient...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
Institute of Financial Management of Education (IGeFE) (until August 2025)
Directorate General for Educational Establishments (DGEstE) (until August 2025)
Parque Escolar (until June 2023)
Construção Pública (since June 2023)
Agency for Educational System Management (AGSE) (since August 2025)
Increasing management skills and improving business practices of the participants (entrepreneurs, managers and employees) from SMEs.
Improving organisation, optimising methodologies and promoting company modernisation and innovation processes.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Training action programme (Formação - Ação) is a training modality of the national qualification system for the reinforcement of SME management capacity and competitiveness; it combines training and consultancy. It is addressed to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises active in the North, Centre and Alentejo regions.
This business training combines classroom training, in-company training and individualised consultancy. The programme begins with a business diagnosis, allowing for the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI)
a. help migrants learn Portuguese, improve their communication skills and understand their basic civil rights;
b. respond to the learning needs of migrant citizens, facilitate their social integration and help them find a job.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The PLA programme, targeting migrants aged 16 or over, is organised according to training standards included in the national catalogue of qualifications, at levels A1 to B2 of the common European framework of reference for languages. PLA courses are organised in short training units and their duration varies according to previously achieved language competences. The short training units can be credited for school qualifications or dual certification, as part of the basic or upper secondary...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
High Commission for Migration (until October 2023)
Directorate General for Education (DGE) (until August 2025)
Institute for Education, Quality and Assessment (EduQA) (since August 2025)
Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) (since October 2023)
Promoting learning and increasing literacy skills - the ability to read and write (including read and write in a digital format).
Increasing the participation of adults in lifelong learning, particularly those with very low basic skills.
Ensuring that adults have access to formal education, that improving their literacy skills leads to effective certification and upgrading of their qualifications.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The local projects promoting qualifications - an adult education and training offer tailored to the needs of the different territories - focus on the motivation of citizens with a low level of education and literacy, which are generally more difficult to engage in training or schooling activities. The target group is adults with very low qualifications (less than ninth grade, including no schooling).
These projects, promoted by the Qualifica centres are based on partnership networks with...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
Reinforcing the qualification levels of citizens, with a view to improving employability and (re)integration in the labour market, as well as the pursuit of studies, particularly at higher education level.
Increasing the potential of on-the-job training, through the active participation of companies and other employers in the training process, assuming them as true partners.
Developing and consolidating quality apprenticeships based on a system of work-linked training, understood as the...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Apprenticeship courses allow for academic and vocational certification, emphasising inclusion in the job market, boosted by a strong training component undertaken in a work context and pursuing higher-level studies. Although dual learning has a strong tradition in Portugal, increased requirements for workers' skills and the need to deal with accelerated scientific and technological development led to a new generation of apprenticeship programmes (Programas de Aprendizagem).
Apprenticeship...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
Enabling young people to complete compulsory education.
Preparing for integration into the labour market.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Professional programmes (cursos profissionais) are IVET upper secondary education programmes leading to EQF level 4 (academic and professional certification); they are part of compulsory education and of the formal education and training system. They target graduates of basic education aged between 15 and 18, including NEETs and learners at risk of early leaving, who would like to attend a practical programme linked to the labour market. They last three years (from 3 100 to 3 440 hours)....
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education (until April 2024)
Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS)
National Association of Professional Schools (ANESPO)
Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) (since April 2024)
The strategic objective of the programme is the vocational training and reskilling of workers from companies directly or indirectly affected by the increase in energy costs, and of the unemployed, to face the challenges associated with the accelerated energy transition:
increasing skills and the qualifications in the energy field, as an element of professional development of workers and improvement of unemployed people's employability;
preventing the risk of unemployment and promoting job...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The programme Green skills and jobs (Trabalhos & Competências Verdes) comprises short and medium duration training courses, addressed to employees of companies directly or indirectly affected by the increase in energy costs, and to the unemployed, aged 18 or over, registered at PES. The training courses are integrated in the national qualifications catalogue, with a maximum duration of 350 hours, in the environment and energy areas: green hydrogen - fundamentals and technologies (300 hours);...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
Promoting a closer link between the polytechnic network and the training and business dynamics in the different territories and regions.
Reinforcing the vocational training dimension in higher education.
Encouraging the diversification of the training supply and lifelong learning.
Increasing cooperation between higher education institutions, the public vocational training service and the associations and companies of different sectors, in order to qualify and re-qualify professionals in...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
High professional technical programmes (CTESP) correspond to a short cycle linked to the Bologna Process, provided exclusively by polytechnic higher education institutions, within the first cycle of higher education. These courses have a study cycle of 120 ECTS, which includes a set of curricular units organised in the components of general and scientific training, technical training and on-the-job training. It confers a qualification equivalent to level 5 of the national qualification...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (until April 2024)
Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES) (until September 2025)
Polytechnic higher education institutions
Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) (since April 2024)
Institute for Higher Education (IES) (since September 2025)
To achieve the specific training needs of the employed and unemployed.
To promote the return of the unemployed to the labour market through a rapid integration in training actions of short and medium duration.
To allow the acquisition of relevant competences, or the valorisation of competences already held, always allowing the continuity of the qualification pathway.
To enable the gradual acquisition of a professional qualification.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Modular training courses (Formação Modular Certificada) are addressed to adults aged 18 and over, employed or unemployed, who do not have the appropriate qualifications to enter or progress in the labour market, especially, those who have yet to complete basic or upper secondary education.
This is a modality that allows flexible training paths, through the realisation and certification of competence units and/or short duration training units (UFCD), that can be capitalised to obtain one, or...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
To raise the educational and professional qualification levels of the adult population through an integrated offer of education and training;
To improve adult employability conditions and to certify the skills acquired throughout life.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Adult Education and Training courses (EFA) are a flexible training pathway of variable duration, according to the certification level. They enable the development of social, scientific and professional skills needed for the exercise of a professional activity and simultaneously obtain a basic school level certificate (fourth, sixth or ninth grades) or an upper secondary level certification (12th grade).
EFA courses are addressed to adults, employed or unemployed, with low and very low...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
This measure is part of INCODE.2030. The Portugal digital academy is a national initiative that aims to bring digital competences to all Portuguese people including migrants), investing in inclusion and digital literacy, in the education of new generations, in the qualification of the active population, in advanced and specialised training of senior staff and in research. It is a free course aggregator platform where all citizens can improve their digital competences regardless of age. The...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI)
Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Administrative Modernisation (until April 2024)
Portugal Digital Mission Structure
Secretary of State for Modernisation and Digitalisation (since April 2024)
Training and (re)qualification, in the digital area, aiming to face the challenges and opportunities of several business sectors strongly impacted by digital transition processes.
Fostering digital transformation.
Improving the productivity and competitiveness of entities and the country's economy, as well as individual skills and qualifications.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
More digital employment 2025 is a scheme providing free digital training for workers, managers and directors of companies, entities of the social economy and trainers. The training includes an initial and final diagnosis of digital skills, in line with the dynamic reference framework for digital competence (DCRF) proficiency levels, through the Portugal Digital Academy platform. If the training is completed, a certificate is issued. The training is developed in, and managed by, IEFP in close...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
Agency for Administrative Modernisation (AMA) (until August 2025)
Agency for Technological Reform of the State, Public Institute (ARTE) (since August 2025)
This policy development aims to ease and speed up gaining higher vocational education (HVE) qualifications at EQF levels 5 and 6 for individuals with considerable professional experience in a given vocational field. Thereby these professionals should be empowered to move on to new and more advanced positions or change career paths through more flexible HVE.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2020, the HVE-flex pilot programme was launched, aiming to ease and speed up gaining higher vocational education (HVE) qualifications at EQF levels 5 and 6. It targets professionals, who already have skills in a working field but, due to new demands in current profession and position, need upskilling and reskilling. The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (MYH) is in charge of the HVE-flex programme, which consists of:
exploring and developing models for validating and...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To define and implement the sustainable development goals in VET, including innovative experiments.
To ensure that VET providers are carbon-neutral by 2035 and have integrated the operating methods required by sustainable development and the green transition into their operations.
To achieve permanent functional and structural changes so that VET institutions act as proactive operators of a sustainable future.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Development programme for the sustainable development and green transition of VET is part of the wider development package for Climate and sustainability education. The programme supports implementation of 10 projects of sustainability practices in VET. The biggest project, Responsible and sustainable VET(VASKI) involves 61 training providers. It prepares a sustainability roadmap for the entire VET system, aiming for sustainable and green VET by 2030.
The sustainability breakthrough affects...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Developing upper secondary education content aims to:
make it possible to combine studies in VET, general upper secondary education and higher education more flexibly and comprehensively;
strengthen the capacity for further education, e.g., higher education in VET as well as in general upper secondary education;
meet the changing skill needs of the labour market;
increase the legal protection and equality of learners who acquire two qualifications (initial vocational qualification and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The development comprises several actions.
The expansion of initial vocational qualifications above 180 competence points need to be enabled, given they include more general upper secondary education studies, higher education studies and/or vocational qualification units. The possibility of expansion is set to be limited by 30 competence points. The expansion of a qualification is to be recorded in the learner’s personal competence development plan and funded, regardless of the type of...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
This measure aims to reduce the number of unemployed people.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Individuals eligible for unemployment benefits (regardless of their origin, as the right applies to people with foreign qualifications according to applicable provisions) generally have the right to take advantage of this measure.
The right is extended to both skilled and unskilled individuals. Whether someone is considered skilled or unskilled typically depends on their completion of upper secondary education, either general or vocational. However, the key factor in determining a person’s...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The purpose of the Job adult vocational education and training (VET) model (Job-VEU model) is to create a better match on the labour market where supply and demand are not matched, as well as to ease the way for education from unskilled to skilled. This is in line with the general objectives of the Danish National implementation plan for the 2020 Council Recommendation on VET and Osnabrück Declaration (NIP) and with the objectives set in the Agreement on better and more flexible continuing...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Private companies, education institutions, municipal job centres and actors on the labour market are all involved in the coordination of short training programmes in which both employed and unemployed people (adult learners, low-qualified, persons who belong to minorities or may have any sort of disadvantages) may participate. The bodies responsible for the initiative are the Ministry of Employment and the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment that develop and monitor the relevant...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The objective of the initiative is to reduce the number of unemployed over the age of 30. This is in line with the general objectives of the Danish National implementation plan (NIP) for the 2020 Council Recommendation on VET and Osnabrück Declaration and also with the objectives set in the Agreement on better and more flexible continuing vocational education and training.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Through the education lift scheme, unemployed persons over the age of 30 who are unskilled or skilled with an obsolete education can take part in vocational training while receiving benefits. Since August 2020, there have been two ways of participating in education lift scheme.
Education lift (80% unemployment benefits).
Unemployed persons who receive unemployment benefits can participate in vocational training while receiving 80% of their benefits. Recipients of cash benefits can participate...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Denmark’s hosting of EuroSkills 2025 is an ambitious part of the strategy to encourage more young people to choose a vocational education pathway. EuroSkills 2025 is thereby much more than an international competition with medals at stake and ambitions for Danish success on the podium: it is also a way to focus on the more than 100 exciting vocational education programmes in Denmark and the opportunities that VET provides for young people, including ambitions to develop their talent and to...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Denmark will be hosting EuroSkills 2025 in the city of Herning from 9-13 September 2025. It will be Denmark’s largest educational event in history. Hosting the event is seen as a great opportunity for the National skills team to demonstrate Danish quality and competencies to the whole of Europe, as well as winning medals and being strong role models for other young people. EuroSkills 2025 is regarded as an event that will collectively inspire young Danes and other Europeans to look towards...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The ambition of the Danish Parliament is that at least 90% of 25-year-olds should complete general or vocational upper secondary education after compulsory schooling (lower secondary programmes, EQF level 2) and the percentage of young NEETs should be reduced by half by 2030. The remaining 10% must be well on their way to completing education later or have a permanent connection to the labour market and therefore be entitled to be assigned a training plan. The goal reflects that society has...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2017, a committee of experts was set up by the Danish parliament to address the declining number of applications to IVET and to rethink pathways that would facilitate the transition from compulsory schooling to IVET.
By 2018, the committee’s recommendations were accepted by a majority in parliament, leading to the creation of the Executive Order of the Act on Preparatory Basic Education (FGU). This law provides the framework for education programmes targeted at young people under 25 who...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The objective is to modernise and secure the future of the adult, CVET and further VET (EQF 5) system, so that employees, may develop competences that secure their job prospects and remain relevant to labour market needs. The agreement also aims to improve job prospects for the unemployed and unskilled or low skilled people.
With the latest tripartite agreement, the government and parties from the labour market seek to create a stable framework for strengthen continuing and further education...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Tripartite agreement on better and more flexible continuing vocational education was approved in 2017 and implementation started in 2018. The agreement had initially a lifespan until 2021. The main aspects of the agreement are as follows.
The creation of a ‘conversion fund’: around EUR 53.6 million (DKK 400 million) has been set aside, as of 5 March 2018, for a ‘conversion fund’, which will enable unskilled and skilled workers to undertake further training on their own...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
to improve the level and quality of knowledge and skills of the unemployed from disadvantaged groups in the labour market;
to overcome regional discrepancies in unemployment;
to increase the employment rates of the working age population.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
According to the requirements of the Employment Promotion Act, the national employment plans are prepared every year by a working group with the participation of experts from the responsible institutions, the social partners and the non-governmental sector. They are agreed by the social partners, members of the National Council for Employment Promotion and the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation and are adopted by a Decision of the Council of Ministers.
Priority target groups of the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The objective of the professional discussions is to foster dialogue among experts, who will evaluate the findings of the content analysis and their overlapping areas, define the way to address each of the identified challenges, support modernisation and strengthen public discussion.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
At the end of 2020, the Education Development and Quality Office (URKI) with the Ministry of Education, prepared the document Overview of the challenges of the education system in Slovenia. The purpose of the activities during the preparation of the document was to identify the key challenges in the education system. These challenges were identified through content analysis, contributions from the ministry's internal organisational units, and proposals from public institutions and the school...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (MIZŠ) (until 2023)
enabling individuals to acquire knowledge, skills and competences they need to thrive in an evolving labour market and society, to benefit fully from a socially fair recovery and just transitions to the green and digital economy;
supporting preparedness of providers of microcredentials to enhance the transparency and flexibility of the learning offering in order to empower individuals to forge personalised learning and career pathways;
fostering inclusiveness and equal opportunities and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
There are continuing discussions on national level about definition, concept and approach to the microcredentials based on the Council Recommendation on a European approach to microcredentials for lifelong learning and employability.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (MIZŠ) (until 2023)
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (CPI)
Aiming to support the adaptability of workers, enterprises and the entrepreneurial environment to the new development requirements, the Labour Institute of General Confederation of Workers (INE/GSEE) implemented integrated and targeted actions to align VET and training programmes to the labour market and to sectoral up- and reskilling needs. These actions contribute to further development of quality assured systems for initial VET (IVET), continuing VET (CVET) and lifelong learning and the...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The INE/GSEE implemented the project Support to quality development of industrial vocational training and its alignment with employee certification (regardless of age), under the priority, Development and update of occupational profiles and framework curricula, under the operational programme, Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and innovation, during 2017-21.
The occupational profiles are based on a methodology for developing occupational standards in line with the Hellenic Qualifications...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Labour Institute of General Confederation of Workers (INE/GSEE)
Ministry of Development and Investments
Small Enterprises’ Institute of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (IME GSEVEE)
Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV)
Centre of Hellenic Commerce and Entrepreneurship Development (KAELE ESEE)
Institute of Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE-INSETE)
National Organisation for Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP)
Both the Active Blackboard programme and the new Digital Student initiative contribute to the development of learners' digital, social, and creative competences, preparing them for active participation in a modern and innovative society. The latter, as a government programme to support school and institution management bodies in developing students' digital skills, is intended to support the implementation of the Policy for the Digital transformation of education goals. Additionally, the...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Between 2017 and 2024, Poland implemented the Active Blackboard programme to enhance digital infrastructure in schools, beginning with Resolution 108/2017. The initial phase (2017–2019) showed positive outcomes for pupils and teachers, though schools still lacked modern ICT equipment. Recommendations led to the expansion of the programme to secondary and VET schools, allowing for software purchases and teacher training. The second phase (2020–2024), launched during the COVID-19...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of National Education (until 2021)
Ministry of Education and Science (from 2021 until 2024)
The Accessibility Plus programme provides multifaceted, systemic and coordinated activities aimed at improving the quality of life and providing greater independence for people with special needs, including young and adult learners. It will be achieved through the large-scale improvement in public environment accessibility, such as infrastructure, transport, products and education services.
The main aim of the Strategy for persons with disabilities is the social and professional inclusion of...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Accessibility Plus programme indicates the following actions for vocational education:
developing, testing and implementing the financial and organisational model of individual support for pupils with special educational needs;
creating a system of specialised, continuing support for teachers, including support for adapting schools to the needs of pupils with disabilities.
The Strategy for persons with disabilities 2021-30 involves the following education measures including...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of National Education (until 2021)
Ministry of Education and Science (from 2021 until 2024)
The main objective of the policy is to support society, companies, the academic world and public administration in taking advantage of artificial intelligence development.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Adopted in 2020 (Resolution No 196 of the Council of Ministers of 28 December 2020), the Polish Policy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence outlined a comprehensive national strategy for fostering AI across society, the economy, science, education, international cooperation, and the public sector. It describes actions and goals in the short, mid and long-term perspective in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). It is organised into six policy areas, one of which is education,...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The main aim of the programme is to support the development of competences in mathematics and IT, including computer game design, among talented pupils and students. It is mainly targeted at secondary school pupils and HEI students to activate and develop advanced IT skills, such as algorithmic problem solving or computer game design and programming. The programme also implements the priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy in raising the quality of learning and training and connecting it with...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The programme includes the creation of a motivation system for talented pupils and students to develop their competences, and a system for non-formal advanced digital competence building. This will be achieved by organising intensive education trips, team contests, teacher support and motivational actions. It will be implemented through two thematic pathways: championships in algorithmics and programming and championships in computer game development.
Teachers of the teams participating in...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The strategy is the fundamental document for shaping regional policy in Poland to 2030. It identifies development challenges for the country from a regional perspective, determines the major action directions and principles and specifies regional policy objectives and measures to be taken by the government, local governments and other entities involved in the implementation of this policy. According to the strategy, the main objective of regional policy is the effective use of domestic...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The National strategy for regional development 2030 (NSRD) was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 17 September 2019. One of the objectives of the strategy is the development of human and social capital in the following subareas: vocational and higher education, continuing education, labour market and social capital. The strategy outlines several initiatives in these areas:
establishing mechanisms to encourage universities to cooperate with entrepreneurs;
increasing entrepreneurs’...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
to integrate or reintegrate unemployed people (with particular emphasis on NEETs) in the labour market in a faster and more efficient way;
to reward active jobseekers;
to upgrade the skills of the workforce (regardless of age) and better align them with labour market needs building on skills forecasting mechanisms;
to reform CVET and its interconnection with the country’s economy;
to utilize European resources for quality assured training of...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Labour ministry is redesigning its approach to vocational education and training (VET) especially to RRF-funded continuing VET (CVET) programmes.
The main philosophy and rationale of the approach is that VET programmes should upskill and/or reskill unemployed individuals in high-demand specialties, in digital and green skills. Another aspect of the renewed approach is that after completion of training, certification by independent and international awarding bodies should be obligatory.
To...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The Strategic plan 2022-24 includes three sub-pillars and sub-strategies for VET to ensure lifelong learning (LLL) with focus on adult learning and youth. These sub-pillars are part of the same strategic objectives and complement each other in providing a holistic approach to VET and lifelong learning, with a focus on designing VET policies, updating VET and LLL programmes in accordance with labour market needs, and adjusting VET offers to regional needs.
More specifically, the strategic...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The six strategic objectives of the plan are further analysed into sub-objectives that serve the effective implementation of the strategy.
More specifically, the implementation of the first strategic objective, Development and strengthening of VET and LLL with emphasis on quality assurance, is achieved through the following sub-objectives:
increasing the attractiveness of VET through the creation of new opportunities;
design of VET and LLL programmes and their quality assurance;
investment in...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs
General Secretariat for VET, Lifelong Learning and Youth
LLCS 2030 focuses on the most urgent topics that were not or were only partly covered by the National recovery and resilience plan. It also paves the way for the replacement of the obsolete Lifelong Learning Act (568/2009) with new legislation.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
LLCS 2030 focuses on four thematic areas: the qualification system; basic skills and civic education; lifelong learning, counselling, and motivation of citizens for lifelong learning; and building a system of skills management and identification of lifelong learning needs. It proposes 51 measures divided into 13 thematic units corresponding to topics in need of urgent intervention:
second chance education and ‘F-type programmes’ (ISCED 253) for low achievers in lower secondary general...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth
Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation
Alliance of Sectoral Councils
Sector Councils Alliance
Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport (until 2024)
In response to the increased need for higher VET graduates on the labour market, a new higher VET programme at bachelor level was introduced. This programme lasts three years (each year counts for 60 ECTS) and leads to a qualification at EQF level 6.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Institute for VET in small and medium-sized enterprises (IAWM) reacted to labour market demand for higher VET and implemented a new VET bachelor programme in 'public and business administration'. This higher VET programme was built on the basis of the VET bachelor education for accountants; graduates receive a bachelor diploma (180 ECTS).
This higher VET programme started in the school year 2019/20.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for vocational and educational training in small and medium-sized companies (IAWM)
The main objectives of updating VET programmes are to:
align VET programmes to the constantly changing labour market needs;
increase employability of VET graduates;
increase learners’ satisfaction and reduce dropout;
increase attractiveness of VET.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Each year some existing VET programmes are updated to respond to new developments on the labour market, so that graduates have up to date qualifications allowing them to find an employment.
To update a VET programme, companies request the Institute for vocational and educational training in small and medium-sized companies (IAWM) to adapt its VET offer. When a programme has then been modified, the government requires three types of expertise from training companies, which certifies that all...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Government of the German-Speaking Community
Institute for vocational and educational training in small and medium-sized companies (IAWM)
The primary objective of the pilot testing is to verify the effectiveness of the recognition of international ICT certification standards. The pilot also aims to identify the opportunities and conditions under which it would be possible – by means of an Amendment to the School Act and the relevant implementing Decree on Detailed Conditions on Completing Education by the Maturita Examination in Upper Secondary Schools – to replace part of the exam in the education field Informatics and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
On 1 October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports launched a pilot aimed at recognising international ICT certificates, that prove students’ knowledge and skills not only in informatics and information and communication technologies (in upper-secondary general schools, Gymnázia) and in education in information and communication technologies (in secondary VET schools) but also in digital competences in the profile part of the Maturita examination: Maturita in 4-year programmes...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic
The main goal is to introduce the theme of continuing professional education and training in a strong and transparent way into the social dialogue at the national level.
So far, the social partners in the Czech Republic have had only consultative role in the area of education and training. The proposal aims to gradually proceed to higher level of shared responsibility where social partners would cooperate on defining and governance of the continuing professional education and training system.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The proposal was drafted in the framework of the project Social dialogue and society 4.0 (2019-22), It is implemented by the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, the biggest trade union association in the Czech Republic, in partnership with the Confederation of Industry, the biggest employer organisation. The general idea of the proposal is to build a continuous learning culture and make it an integral part of not only social dialogue, but also society as a whole. A coherent public...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic
Czech Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions
Czech Chamber of Commerce
Confederation of Employers´ and Business Associations of the Czech Republic
The strategy to support SMEs contributes to the development of seven key areas, one of which is workforce, skills and education. Specific objectives are:
developing the skills of students in line with the requirements of the labour market by supporting the establishment and strengthening of appropriate forms of cooperation between schools and businesses and increasing the quality, efficiency and relevance of training for future professions;
providing further education, particularly in the...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Strengthening cooperation between companies, especially SMEs and schools, will be implemented by means of promoting and organising joint events. The strategy also promotes organising of students’ work placements and internships in businesses. There will be shared workshops, shared classrooms and training centres established for the teaching of technical subjects and youth education in respect of Industry 4.0. The strategy supports instructor training by practical training providers...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The ultimate objective of this component under the National recovery and resilience plan is to adapt education to the changing needs of the labour market, address the lack of IT specialists and advanced digital skills across the labour force, and ensure long-term employability.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The financial support provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) will, at the same time, contribute to the transformation of educational content. Schools will build their own supply of mobile digital technologies and will be able to lend them. However, this should not lead to an unjustified acquisition and accumulation of technological equipment which is actually not needed.
Under Component 3.1 Innovation in education in the context of digitisation, funding is provided to...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic
The main objectives of the plan for education and training include:
improving the digital skills of students and teachers;
adapting school programmes in tertiary, primary and lower-secondary education to new forms of learning and the changing needs of the labour market;
modernising employment services and labour market development. In education and training, this goal is aimed at increasing the adaptability of the workforce by developing their skills, particularly in the digital field.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Section 3 of the plan, Education and labour market, proposes the following reforms and measures in education and training:
Transforming HE institutions to adapt to new forms of learning and changing the labour market needs by 2026:
The plan foresees measures to increase the ability of higher education (HE) institutions to adapt study programmes to new forms of learning and new fields, particularly digital expertise, in line with changing labour market needs. It includes especially expansion...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The aim of the initiative is to double the number of apprenticeships abroad from 1 000 in 2020 up to 2 000 by 2027.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In order to learn more about motives and expectations, as well as existing obstacles to mobility and potential incentives for mobility abroad, the project Partnership commissioned ibw Austria: Research and development in VET in 2020 to conduct the study 'Foreign mobility in apprenticeship training'. The results were presented at the OeAD on 30 September 2021 and a concrete objective and five action priorities for increasing apprenticeship mobility were derived from it.
The study shows that...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) (until 2025)
Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD)
Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) (until 2022)
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)
Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) (until 2025)
Federal Ministry of Education (BMB)
Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET)
The objectives of the national programmes focusing on VET priorities are:
to provide additional financial resources to VET institutions, and the social partners, to address specific aspects of their activities (for which initial allocated funding does not suffice) to achieve better results;
to address better the personal needs of the students (and/or other target groups depending on the specifics of each programme).
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
There are three national programmes with VET as their focus, not all starting in the same period. All these programmes are managed by the VET Directorate of the education ministry:
National VET programme
The programme aims to support improvement in the quality of VET provision and the labour market relevance of VET by providing schools with state-of-the-art equipment, update and/or developing, for the first time, curricula and study programmes, e-learning material and VET teacher training.
The...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The objectives and priorities of the strategy have been formulated on the basis of a SWOT analysis of the current state of the labour market. One of the opportunities outlined in the analysis is related to the provision of adequate education and training in the labour market, as follows:
changes in the admission plan for education for better adaptation to labour demand;
advanced training and training at the request of employers for the unemployed;
training for employees;
providing the necessary...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Investment in education, training and lifelong skills development brings benefits both to individuals and to society as a whole. Education is the engine for job creation, economic growth, improved social conditions and prosperity.
The strategy focuses on the modernisation of the adult education system by creating opportunities for the use of digital technologies, as well as by increasing the digital skills and competences of the workforce for full participation in digital education and the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
To support the national labour market policy by providing analysis and data on the skills needed for key professions/occupations in all economic sectors.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The initiative is funded by the ESF under the operational programme (OP): Human resource development 2014-20, and is implemented through two components.
Component one has been implemented by the labour ministry and component two by the national employer organisations. A unified toolkit has been developed in component 1, including methodologies and requirements for job research and identification of the digital skills required for the development of digital skills profiles in key positions and...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Labour and Social Policy(MLSP)
National employer organisations
National employee organisations
National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET)
to improve management and digital skills as an inclusion factor considering the qualification process as a common and mobilising cause for Portuguese society;
to support the social institutions’ need for training by empowering and qualifying their staff;
to allow a quicker adjustment between the supply and the demand for skills and qualifications in the social area job market, allowing the development of specific skills by implementing training sessions for...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The training programme is based on a set of specialised training sessions in management, finance, leadership, innovation and digital areas. According to accurately identified needs this training targets the members of the social board, heads of department, workers of social sector institutions and also unemployed people.
The Valorizar social programme is composed of short training units with a maximum of 350 hours.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
National Confederation of Solidarity Institutions (CNIS)
build capacity, by strengthening pedagogical resources;
monitor by assessing the impact and efficiency of the measures and resources.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The plan is addressed to the basic and secondary level students, with a focus on three structural elements:
teaching and learning that focusses on pedagogical tools for a more flexible curricular development, based on a greater capacity for autonomous and contextualised management, on strategies of proven effectiveness, on school and community activity and on support for students, especially in the school years and skills development most affected by the pandemic;
support to educational...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education (until April 2024)
Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) (since April 2024)
Some companies refrain from creating an apprenticeship place. Other companies lack the time in their daily work to deal intensively with their apprentices. The number of training place and quality of the vocational education and training (VET) suffers as a result. Inter-company apprenticeship training (ÜLU) is one solution. The offer complements and supports the training provided by the companies. In this way, the motivation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to offer training...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Federal Government provides subsidies of around EUR 50 million annually for the inter-company apprenticeship training (ÜLU), making a contribution to the course and accommodation costs for apprentices from the second year of training onwards. The current funding guidelines allow a subsidy of up to one third of the course costs and up to half of the accommodation costs. The assessment basis for the federal funding lump sums is based on the determined average cost rates of the courses....
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) (until 2025)
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) (until December 2021)
German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH)
Federal States (Länder)
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) (since 2025)
The goal of the reform of continuing education at higher education (HE) institutions, anchored in the programme of the current government, is to improve the framework conditions for CET programmes to strengthen their quality, transparency and international reputation.
In the decision of the Council of Ministers of 21 April 2021, which gave the go-ahead for the implementation of this reform, several objectives are associated with this project:
standardisation of the (legal) framework...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In order to implement this reform, the higher education law was amended. The so-called higher education legislation package came into force on 1 October 2021.
The central actor in this reform is the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF). The four types of HE institutions (universities and university colleges of teacher education, universities of applied sciences and private universities) are also involved. Those interested in continuing education at HE institutions...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) (until 2025)
Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF)
In addition to the provision of IVET and CVET (upskilling, reskilling), centres of vocational excellence (CoVEs) must offer retraining of teachers, head instructors and instructors, offer work-based learning opportunities for dual learners contracted by SMEs (as SMEs often lack the full technological resources or capacity to cover the full scope of a qualification), and be an interface between basic schools (lower secondary education in particular) and VET schools and between VET schools and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The creation of CoVEs is determined by the Lifelong learning and counselling strategy for 2021-30 adopted by the government on 24 November 2021. According to the strategy‘s action plan, a pilot phase to transform some of the existing centres of VET into CoVES was scheduled to start in 2022, co-funded by ESIF (specific objective 1.4 ‘Developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship’ under Operational programme Slovakia 2021-27). About 20 CoVEs...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth
Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation
Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport (until 2024)
The National recovery and resilience plan (RRP) component on Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education at all levels contains a reform on the Implementation of tools to prevent early school-leaving and adapt F-type VET programmes. The objectives of the Lifelong learning and counselling strategy for 2021-30 related to this component of RRP are:
increasing the permeability of the VET system by cancelling dead-end pathways currently represented by F-type...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Lifelong learning and counselling strategy for 2021-30, approved by the government on 24 November 2021, addresses early school leaving in the section ‘Second chance education and F-type programmes’. It suggests four measures aimed at:
transformation of former F-type programmes into ‘combined’ programmes that allow learners to complete lower secondary general education and earn at least an EQF level 2 VET qualification, enabling progression in initial VET;
allowing exceptional extension...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth
Government Office of the Slovak Republic
Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport (until 2024)
Whereas part-time training used to be aimed almost exclusively at people with family responsibilities, the new model is developing from an exceptional solution for a small group of addressees into a design option for all apprentices. This flexible offer is an important building block to cope with the existing shortage of skilled workers, especially for SMEs.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The amendment to the Vocational Training Act in 2020 (Section 7a BBiG), makes it possible to organise part-time vocational training individually in terms of time. In addition to single parents or individuals caring for family members, the option of part-time training is further opened up to additional groups. People with disabilities or refugees, for example, who want to or have to pursue gainful employment next to their training, can now also benefit from the option of part-time vocational...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (until 2025)
Federal States (Länder)
Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) (since 2025)
The objective is to simplify the process of communication concerning vacant apprenticeships and to map the needs of apprentices at national level.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (previously Skills Norway), and the Directorate for Education and Training, have to assess how a national portal may simplify the matching of learners and apprenticeship placements and needs.
The directorates studied models for, and the costs of, developing and operating a national apprenticeship portal. They also suggested different solutions. It was a requirement that at least one of the solutions had to be able to be implemented within the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
to support the continued growth of the higher vocational education sector;
to establish a system for the allocation of new student places which takes into account the skills needs of the labour market, and the planning capacity of vocational education schools, which is based on an analysis of the available knowledge base and skills needs;
to create new paths from upper secondary education to higher vocational education;
to examine the criteria and...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The strategy was proposed by the Ministry of Education and Research for further improving and strengthening higher vocational education. It is aimed at higher vocational education and all actors in the field. The beneficiaries are both individual students and society, mainly by improving quality and increasing autonomy.
The priorities focus on the following four areas:
Growth in the tertiary vocational college sector
The government is to take steps to ensure continued growth in higher...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The overall objective of the Wallonia Recovery Plan is to make Wallonia a Region resolutely focused on prosperity shared across the region, businesses and citizens, and which integrates the challenges of intergenerational fairness. The pooling of the action plans aims to ensure coherence to maximise the positive outcomes for Wallonia.
Strategic objectives have also been put in place with regard to the major priorities of the Walloon Recovery Plan for VET and employment:
improve initial...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The Wallonia Recovery Plan, adopted in October 2021, includes more than 300 projects and programmes, structured around six strategic priorities:
investing in youth and Walloon talent (priority 1)
supporting well-being, solidarity and social inclusion (priority 4)
guaranteeing innovative and participative governance (priority 5)
supporting the rebuilding and resilience of disaster-affected areas...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (MECDD) coordinates the development of an inter-ministerial National Strategy for Circular Economy (Stratégie pour une Économie Circulaire Luxembourg). In this framework, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth contributes to the provision of educational offers and material on sustainable development for teachers, while adapting the VET offer to the needs of the green transition by increasing and promoting CVET...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The platform for education on the environment and sustainable development, created following the 2007 National Nature Conservation Plan and launched online in 2012 as part of the Luxembourg Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy of 2010, enables networking among professionals, NGOs, local administrations, institutions, teachers, and trainers involved in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), who now cooperate in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. It provides...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB)
Natur&ëmwelt
Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
Department for Coordination of Educational and Technological Research and Innovation (SCRIPT)
Training Institute for National Education (IFEN)
VET Department of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (SFP)
National Centre for Continuing Vocational Training (CNFPC)
The agreement is set around the following objectives:
identification of training needs for the social economy sector and development of partnerships;
raising the qualifications of the social economy sector;
innovation and flexibility in the training implementation;
increasing incentives for the training participation of social economy institutions and individuals;
creation of a vocational training centre for the social economy sector.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The agreement responds to the sector's training needs and emerging challenges, which require continuous knowledge and skill updating, an increase in specific training offers, and the development of tailor-made continuing training.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS)
Issuance of the EDCL in addition to paper diploma or certificate in initial vocational education and training (IVET).
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The EDCL offers many benefits for citizens, employers, and organisations, enabling:
students to prove the validity of their diploma or certificate;
training institutions across Europe to issue diplomas and other certificates of learning in a format that is easy to generate;
authorities (employers, universities, etc.) to easily check the authenticity of harmonised documents;
a common understanding of qualifications and certification across and beyond the European Union;
the recognition of...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
VET Department of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (SFP)
To promote the diversification of education and training offer in low-density territories, allowing response to several interests: of students; the quality of learning and school success; the qualification and employability levels of young people; and needs of the economy and the labour market of these regions.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The project is based around a strategy for sharing classes between schools (a class, in some subjects, may have students from different schools), under a pedagogical experience regime, aimed at promoting the diversification of the educational and training offer in low-density areas.
The schools involved in the pilot should define tutoring mechanisms that, in permanent dialogue with the families, allow close and systematic monitoring of the learners, both in pedagogical and organisational...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Directorate General for Educational Establishments (DGEstE) (until August 2025)
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP)
Local and Regional Authorities
Agency for Educational System Management (AGSE) (since August 2025)
The goal for Portugal is the release of around 360 000 people from the risk of poverty or social exclusion, including 120 000 children.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The approach underlying the National anti-poverty strategy goes far beyond the definition of poverty as the deprivation of monetary resources, avoiding approaches focused solely on the analysis from a monetary point of view and seeking to make poverty reduction dependent only on economic growth. It is based on a broader vision of poverty, assuming poverty as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, which constitutes a violation of human and citizen rights and requires integrated action...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Presidency of the Council of Ministers [Presidência do Conselho de Ministros]
Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS)
Ministry of Education (until April 2024)
Ministry of Infrastructures and Housing (MIH) (until 2023)
Ministry of Health (MS)
Local Authorities
Ministry of Housing (MH) (between 2023 and April 2024)
Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) (since April 2024)
Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, since April 2024
To keep pace with the rapidly changing world of labour, and to ensure equal access to high-quality education irrespective of learners' social and cultural backgrounds, age and gender, it is necessary to increase coherence between, and the flexibility of, different levels and types of education. The dividing lines that prevent permeability between formal, non-formal and informal learning, as well as between general and vocational education, need to be reduced.
To create opportunities for...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In order to ensure flexible learning opportunities, accessibility of high-quality education and training, and supported learning with the aim of reducing drop-out and early leaving rates and exploiting every individual's potential to the fullest, the following measures are foreseen:
developing and implementing a common standard for secondary education to integrate general and vocational secondary education;
updating the Standard of vocational education and specifying the differences between...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The pool in question aims to strengthen youth education work with green entrepreneurship. The pool must support youth education being prioritised in the green agenda.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
An average of EUR 1.33 million (DKK 10 million) is planned to be available for distribution each year from 2021-23. The Ministry of Children and Education is responsible for distributing the funds for supporting courses and action learning activities for teachers and trainers. The aim is to enhance knowledge on green entrepreneurship and contribute to green development.
All youth institutions, including VET, can apply to the pool for funding on projects that aim to support and strengthen...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The tripartite agreement intends to ensure an increase in the number of VET students.
The agreement was intended to ensure that students in vocational education and training programmes (VET) had a more secure and coherent educational pathway.
The main elements of the initiative are:
support students searching for an apprenticeship;
ensure that students get a contract with a company as early as possible;
strengthen coherence in training courses for apprentices;
allow an increased number of...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In November 2020, the government and the social partners signed a tripartite agreement with initiatives worth EUR 66 million (DKK 500 million) annually.
According to the agreement and as from 1 January 2022
Students must not be left on their own when searching for an apprenticeship
The VET institution must provide information on apprenticeships to students who cannot find one; this is to minimise the responsibility that today is placed entirely on the student.
b.Early apprenticeship contracts
VET...
Bodies responsible
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The objective of this policy development is to take forward the work on green transition and sustainability in VET, so that the VET sector can contribute to society’s green renewal.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The initiative supports:
competence development and continuing education in relation to green transition and climate response EUR 13.5 million (DKK 100.5 million). The education ministry is responsible for the administration of the funding. Activities will primarily take the form of courses and action learning activities for VET teachers and trainers;
knowledge centres to develop new materials and teaching courses in the green transition and sustainability, to be implemented in VET and the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Law 4763/2020 aims to promote the joint strategic planning of VET. To this end, it reforms VET governance substantially to avoid overlaps, better address labour market needs and support autonomy at VET provider level.
The main objectives of Law 4763/2020 are:
providing knowledge, skills and competences in accordance with the needs of the labour market;
improving employability for all.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
According to Law 4763/2020, the General Secretariat for VET, LLL and Youth is responsible for designing, implementing, coordinating and monitoring policies in the relevant fields. It is also the supervisory body for the implementation and monitoring of VET and LLL programmes.
In addition, the law set up advisory bodies (including social partners and VET stakeholders) at national and regional level to support VET governance.
Nationally, the main advisory body introduced is the Central council...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs
General Secretariat for VET, Lifelong Learning and Youth
The main objective of the Upskill programme is to respond to companies’ needs for digitally equipped human resources. It also offers unemployed secondary or higher education graduates the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and competences to start a new career.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The UPskill programme is the result of a partnership between the Portuguese Association for the Development of Communications (APDC), the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) and the Coordinating Council of Higher Polytechnic Institutes (CCISP).
The main objective of the programme's first call is to upskill 3 000 professionals (employed and unemployed) within a 3-year period. It provides intensive training (6 months) in specific ICT areas offered by polytechnic institutes...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
Portuguese Association for the Development of Communications (APDC)
Coordinating Council of Higher Polytechnic Institutes (CCISP)
To adapt teaching and learning to online activities, provide support for teachers and learners, and stop the spread of the virus.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Rapid changes in teaching took place: using online methods and new applications to create and develop resources. The pandemic also created the opportunity to develop new types of learning communities by learning from peers or sharing good-practice experiences. New online platforms and support channels (phone lines) were created to support teachers, learners and parents.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education
Ministry of National Education (until 2021)
National Centre for TVET Development (CNDIPT)
National Centre for Policy and Evaluation in Education (Unit for Research in Education)
Schools need to evolve from emergency remote teaching to well-considered digitalisation, structurally anchoring flexible and blended learning. This could also improve the connection to the labour market. This programme has three main pillars:
adapting the content of education;
achieving flexibility in education;
facilitating digitalisation of learning
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Further promoting digitalisation in VET is considered fundamental to achieving the ambitions for upper secondary VET (MBO) set in the administrative agreement between the education ministry and the MBO Raad. Well-considered digital education requires a different didactic approach, specific skills and new tools for teachers. For the practical implementation of the agreement, a programme was drawn up called the Continuing digitalising programme (Doorpakken op digitalisering).
The programme was...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Cooperation organisation of VET colleges on ICT (saMBO-ICT) (until 2020)
Council for upper secondary VET schools (MBO Raad)
Cooperation organisation of VET colleges on ICT (MBO digitaal)
The main objectives of this policy development are:
supporting young adults at a distance from the labour market to acquire economic independence;
preventing long-term unemployment among young people as a response to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In the Cabinet’s response, 14 measures were announced that focus on tackling youth unemployment and preventing early leaving from education and training. The most significant measures that focus on employment are:
making explicit which bodies are responsible at a local and regional level;
supporting life coaching arrangements;
promoting guidance for young people after graduation.
The country’s approach to tackling youth unemployment caused by the pandemic has a regional focus and primarily...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Council for upper secondary VET schools (MBO Raad)
The purpose of the fund is to support community education provision targeted at adult learners, who have the highest level of need. It aims to increase the participation of disadvantaged learners, particularly those on literacy and basic skills programmes at NFQ levels 1-3 (EQF levels 1-2). The fund aims to provide funding to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing and participating in community education.
The fund emphasises:
community education as a mechanism to continue...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
A budget of EUR 8 million was announced as part of the 2021 budget. Its main target is supporting adult learners (in community education), especially those with the highest level of need and who are undertaking literacy and skills programmes. The fund focuses strongly on the digital infrastructure of community education providers, including providing devices and software, and increasing their capacity to deliver online learning.
Community Education providers can apply for funding across...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The strategy sets out the vision, mission and strategic goals that guide the department’s work programme in 2021-23.
To achieve this vision and mission, the strategy sets out three high level goals:
support the provision of high-quality education and improve the learning experience to meet the needs of all students in schools and early years settings;
ensure equity of opportunity in education and that all students are supported to fulfil their potential;
together with its partners, provide...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
DFHERIS funds and creates policy for the higher and further education and research sectors. It also oversees the work of the State agencies and public institutions operating in these areas. It ensures that these sectors support and encourage Ireland’s social and economic development and that public investment and policy in these areas give opportunities to everyone, including the most vulnerable in society.
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS)
The approach, apart from preventing early leaving from education and training, also has the objective of easing the path of young early leavers from education and training back to school or to work.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Since March 2020, the education ministry has issued three policy letters discussing the new approach to further combat early leaving from education and training and support young early leavers achieving sustainable economic independence.
In the first letter (March 2020), the government and various stakeholders from education and the labour market (including employers’ organisations) expressed their joint intention to focus on apprenticeships (dual pathway) to help working, young dropouts to...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
The aim is to educate students as active young citizens responsible for society, the country and the environment, in which they live.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The subject is implemented in vocational (30 hours) and technical (35 hours) upper secondary programmes. It is designed as interdisciplinary, as it intertwines and connects various disciplines, such as sociology, philosophy, political science, history, geography, and upgrades the goals and content of the subject of social sciences. It contains four thematic units, from micro (citizen) to macro (EU and world) level:
citizen individual position;
participation in a community;
citizen of the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (MIZŠ) (until 2023)
The vision of the master plan is to provide adults in Slovenia with equal opportunities and incentives for quality learning and education in order to support their holistic development and sustainable living at all stages of life.
The goals of the ReNPIO 2022–2030 are:
increasing the participation of adults in LLL;
raising the level of basic skills and improving general education of adults;
raising the educational attainment of adults;
increasing the capacity of adults to respond successfully...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
ReNPIO 2022-30 directs the policy of adult learning and education at the state level and contributes to the systemic regulation of the field. It provides stable financing, defines and integrates measures of various policies. The Plan also emphasises the importance of green transition and digital transformation, as well as a culture of learning by increasing participation in LLL and providing equal opportunities for different target groups. Significant added value of the new document is the...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (MIZŠ) (until 2023)
The regulations introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic aim to ensure the safety and health of citizens and promote learning within the current limitations.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Regulations addressed to schools, including VET schools, in 2020 and 2021 (until February) mainly concerned the temporary closure of institutions and the easing of the transition to distance learning. More than 23 regulations were issued by the education minister for these purposes.
EU funded projects have been implemented aiming to solve problems resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools, including VET providers. For example, computers and software were delivered to...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of National Education
Ministry of Education and Science (from 2021 until 2024)
The National recovery plan will direct the funds obtained by Poland (EUR 58.1 billion) from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) into specific reforms, programmes and investments, including those relating directly to VET. The plan aims to increase productivity of the economy and create high-quality jobs.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The process of designing the National recovery plan was managed by the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy (MFiPR). In February 2021, the document was submitted for public consultation, which influenced its final shape. In May 2021 the plan was officially submitted to the European Commission.
Its main areas of focus are:
resilience and competitiveness of the economy;
green energy and reducing energy intensity;
digital transformation;
availability and quality of the health care...
Bodies responsible
This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
Ministry of National Education
Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy
Ministry of Development and Technology
Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy
Ministry of Education and Science (from 2021 until 2024)
