The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the future of Vocational Education and Training (VET) across the European Union. The consultation aims to gather input from organisations, educational institutions, employers, civil society groups and citizens to help shape a strategy that responds to the evolving needs of the labour market.  

This initiative is part of the broader Union of Skills agenda, which aims to strengthen skills, lifelong learning and workforce adaptability across Europe. 

The VET strategy seeks to enhance the quality and attractiveness of vocational education, encouraging more individuals, including people with disabilities, to pursue vocational training and access recognised qualifications relevant to the labour market. It also aims to address skills shortages in critical areas such as digital and green sectors, ensuring that training opportunities are aligned with current and future labour market demands. By strengthening vocational education, the strategy supports competitiveness and innovation across Europe while promoting inclusion and accessibility for all learners. 

The consultation is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including training centres, employers, advocacy groups and individual citizens. Contributions will inform the final VET strategy, which is expected to be published in the second trimester of 2026.  

The consultation is open until 19 February 2026 (midnight, Brussels time) and stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback to help shape a VET strategy that is responsive to the needs of both learners and the labour market. 

Find out more about the initiative here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16332-European-strategy-for-vocational-education-and-training_en