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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to the European Commission, EU competitiveness is impaired by a shortage of skills and labour, among other things. The Union of Skills strategy aims to raise the level of qualifications, make it easier for companies in the EU to recruit staff and attract top talent from abroad.
How can recognition procedures improve mobility and skills utilisation in the EU? A new Cedefop paper provides an up-to-date overview of instruments and methods for the comparability and recognition of VET qualifications in Europe – partly based on contributions from the ReferNet network.
The online survey is part of a Cedefop study on ‘Deepening on Microcredentials – labour market sector relevance, quality and inclusion’. It will help to build an inventory of how microcredentials are structured, delivered, and recognised. Take part now until 18 July 2025!
The call is for Seconded National Experts (SNEs) in the field of Comparing and recognising VET qualifications. Please send the CV and motivation letter of relevant candidates by 25 June 2025 to HR-recruitment@cedefop.europa.eu !
Ready to kick-start your career in an international environment? Cedefop, the EU agency shaping learning and skills for Europe in Thessaloniki, is offering eleven 10-month paid traineeships starting 1 October 2025. Apply by Thursday, 5 June 2025, at 13:00 Greek time (CET+1)!
On the occasion of Poland's Presidency of the EU Council, a detailed report on the Polish VET system has been published. To make VET more attractive, measures include expanding work-based learning, developing flexible learning pathways and aligning qualifications with labour market needs.
Over the last 50 years, the comparison and recognition of vocational qualifications has been a prominent topic for Cedefop. The aim was to facilitate mobility in Europe between VET systems and national labour markets. Learning outcomes and qualifications frameworks are two central keywords here.
The new ReferNet Spotlight focuses on the main features of the Polish VET system as well as on the challenges and policy responses. It was published on the occasion of Poland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
A policy brief presents initial findings on the use of AI in Europe and its impact on jobs. Six out of ten employees are affected by AI-related changes to their jobs. This underlines the importance of further training, retraining and investment in AI skills.
An overview of vocational education and training initiatives and programmes in Austria in 2023, successful approaches and challenges in the light of European priority setting. All ReferNet country reports on implementing European priorities in VET can be downloaded here:
From West Berlin in 1975 to Thessaloniki since 1995:
Cedefop looks back on 50 years of research, policy advice and European cooperation and plays an important role in shaping and strengthening vocational education and training in Europe.
