A new approach to Vocational Education and Training for a skilled and competitive EU workforce
Under the leadership of Renew Europe’s Brigitte van den Berg, Parliament adopted an own initiative report with a fundamentally new approach to VET, on Wednesday. The report is timely adopted ahead of the Commission’s upcoming proposal for a new EU Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy and the negotiations on the Skills Portability Act.
In the report, Parliament calls for major investment in modern, high-quality vocational training, stronger apprenticeships, closer cooperation between training providers and employers, easier recognition of qualifications across Europe, and real opportunities for mobility and lifelong learning. It is imperative for liberals and democrats that VET becomes an equally valued pathway, equipping people with the skills for the green, digital and industrial transitions.
The payoff is clear: workers gain better skills and quality jobs and businesses gain the workforce they need to compete. By closing skills gaps, Europe strengthens competitiveness, drives growth and ensures workers are equipped for the jobs of the future.
Brigitte van den Berg (D66/Netherlands), who also will take the lead in the newly presented Skills Portability Act, says:
"Europe cannot be competitive if it undervalues the people and skills that keep our industries running. We need to break down the barriers between academic and vocational education and give every talent the opportunity to contribute to Europe’s future."
