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Sharing knowledge

ReferNet is a European information network for vocational education and training (VET).

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Wednesday, 11 March 2026

VET News - March 2026

ReferNet VET news international provide twice a month an overview on current developments and initiatives.

VET News International
Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Cedefop call for trainees

Cedefop in Thessaloniki is offering paid 10-month internships starting on 1 October 2026. Application deadline: Tuesday, 21 April 2026, at 13:00 Greek time (CET+1)!

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Thursday, 19 February 2026

Spotlight on VET in Cyprus

The latest ReferNet Spotlight focuses on the main features of the VET system in Cyprus, as well as the challenges faced and policy responses. It was published on the occasion of Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.

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Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Digital transitions and skills

How are digitalisation and artificial intelligence affecting the world of work and the relationship between the supply and demand for skills? An analysis by Cedefop of the second wave of the European Survey on Skills and Employment.

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Monday, 15 December 2025

Skills trends in a nutshell

Cedefop's new Spotlight format offers insights into the labour market landscape, future trends and forecasts of skills needs. The analysis, developed in consultation with the German ReferNet team, is based on various Cedefop tools.

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

European Microcredential Days

At an international expert meeting held at the BIBB in early November, experts from ten countries discussed whether and to what extent microcredentials contribute to social inclusion and could be usefully introduced in different national contexts.

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Monday, 27 October 2025

ReferNet Plenary Meeting

This year's meeting of ReferNet partners from 29 European countries on 22–23 October 2025 focused on discussions about current policy developments in vocational education and training and the joint work programme for 2026.

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Monday, 29 September 2025

From Osnabrück to Herning

On 11 September in Herning, Denmark, the ministers responsible for VET in the EU Member States adopted a declaration on VET for 2026-2030. The focus is on the challenges of integrating artificial intelligence, ecological and demographic change, as well as mismatch problems and skills shortages.

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Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Financing adult learning

This ReferNet report focuses on public financing of adult learning for individuals and companies in Germany. It also looks at current debates and the issue of data availability.

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Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Danish EU presidency

Tackling the shortage of skilled workers by offering more attractive vocational training opportunities is to be the focus of a new agreement on European cooperation in VET. The Danish EU Presidency will work towards a corresponding declaration. This will replace the Osnabrück Declaration from 2020.

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Spotlight Jobs & Skills 2025

Cedefop's new Spotlight format offers insights into the labour market landscape, future trends and forecasts of skills needs. The analysis, developed in consultation with the German ReferNet team, is based on various Cedefop tools.

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Financing adult learning 2025

This paper focuses on public financing of adult learning for individuals and companies in Germany. It also looks at current debates and the issue of data availability.

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Spotlight compilation 2024

provides a concise overview for 2023 with a system chart and key features of VET in each country of the EU, Iceland and Norway.

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VET in Europe online 2023

The Cedefop ReferNet database is the main source of information on VET systems in the EU, Iceland and Norway. It includes diagrammes, generates reports and allows comparing by country and theme. The 2023 update is now online.

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Spotlight on VET Germany 2023

describes the German VET system. It outlines the key features as well as the challenges and policy responses, e.g. an attractive VET for all and how to deal with the challenges of digitalisation and the commitment to sustainability.

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VET policy brief 2024

An overview of vocational education and training initiatives and programmes in Germany in 2023, successful approaches and challenges from the perspective of European priority setting.

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Green skills anticipation

What skills and occupations are needed for the green transition? In this compilation by ReferNet Germany, projects forecasting future skills needs are briefly presented. They are an important basis for securing the qualification profiles needed in the future on the labour market.

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Early leaving from VET

This article presents the concept of dropping out of VET and the situation in Germany based on two indicators. Further, the focus is on the preventive measures in place to prevent drop-out as well as factors that can lead to early leaving from VET. The impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic conclude the report.

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Thematic Perspective 2021

How can professional development help in-company trainers and VET school teachers adapt to the new demands of digitalisation, diversity and environmental crisis, and acquire the necessary skills? This report focuses on Germany.

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Report VET in Germany 2020

gives an overview of the vocational educational and training (VET) system in Germany: external factors influencing VET; providing VET in a lifelong learning perspective; shaping VET qualifications and promoting participation in VET.

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Spotlight on VET Germany 2020

describes the German VET system. It outlines the key features as well as the challenges and policy responses, e.g. an attractive VET for all and how to deal with the challenges of digitalisation and the commitment to sustainability.

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Thematic Perspective 2020

focuses on the responsiveness of the German VET system to the challenges of digitalisation, AI and the future of work. What are the policy strategies and initiatives to modernise VET and how can digital technologies and media support learning practices?

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Thematic Perspective 2019

presents enablers and disablers of international long-term mobility of apprentices, with regard to: German framework conditions (Chapter 1), the VET system (Chapter 2) as well as practical implementation (Chapter 3).

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VET in Germany Report 2018

gives an overview of the vocational educational and training (VET) system in Germany: external factors influencing VET; providing VET in a lifelong learning perspective; shaping VET qualifications and promoting participation in VET.

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Further sources

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ReferNet Europe

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