In September 2025, under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ministers for Vocational Education and Training (VET) from all EU Member States came together to adopt the Herning Declaration. The message is clear: VET is no longer just an educational pathway, it is a strategic pillar for Europe’s resilience, inclusivity, and competitiveness.

With this declaration, Member States reaffirmed their ambition to make VET more attractive, relevant, and high-quality, directly supporting the EU’s Union of Skills Strategy, which will roll out a dedicated EU VET Strategy.

Opportunities and challenges for disability service providers

EASPD welcomes the Herning Declaration, as many of its priorities align with our position on the upcoming VET Strategy. For our members – disability service providers who support people in training and employment while also employing large numbers of social care and support staff – the Declaration opens new opportunities but also raises challenges.

The text acknowledges VET’s importance for competitiveness, inclusiveness, and gender equality. Yet, it falls short of explicitly referencing persons with disabilities or other vulnerable groups. Inclusiveness is framed broadly, which risks diluting attention away from those who face the greatest barriers to accessing VET.

Inclusiveness cannot remain a rhetorical ambition. Without adequate funding, adequate VET systems, accessibility standards, and personalised training pathways, learners with disabilities will continue to be left behind. The Declaration’s commitment to “sufficient and sustainable investment” must therefore translate into resources that reach the people who need them most.

Key areas where the declaration can deliver

1. Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee

Apprenticeships are highlighted as a proven entry point to the labour market, combining work experience with formal recognition. EASPD calls for a Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee, modelled on the Youth Guarantee, to ensure coordinated, long-term support for persons with disabilities across all Member States.

2. Cross-border and European and international dimension

 This aspect of VET is central to the declaration. Mobility and recognition of qualifications, among others, require the broader participation of service providers for people with disabilities, VET providers, and other social economy actors to foster cooperation and the exchange and creation of knowledge. Their involvement ensures the development of high-quality, inclusive VET systems that address persistent challenges affecting all learners, particularly those with disabilities.

3. Addressing labour market shortages

The Declaration emphasises aligning VET with labour market needs and growth sectors. Partnerships should not be limited to companies and social partners: disability support services, VET providers, and social economy actors are key stakeholders. Disability service providers can play a crucial role here for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to gain access to sectors with strong growth potential, such as the social care and support sector.

4. Investing in the workforce

An element of the Declaration is the recognition of shortages among VET trainers and the need to improve their working conditions and professional development. This resonates with the situation within social care and support. It is essential that investment in skills development also extends to the social care workforce, whose role is vital in delivering quality support.

5. Digitalisation and innovation

The Declaration underscores the role of digitalisation, AI, and immersive technologies in shaping future training. Learners with disabilities and disability support services must be involved in ensuring AI systems are inclusive by design and capable of adapting to diverse learning needs and styles. This requires not only accessible digital infrastructure, especially for learners with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, but also the necessary digital skills.

The Herning Declaration signals a strong political will to place VET at the heart of Europe’s social and economic future. But commitments must translate into action. Only by considering all these aspects, the Declaration can help ensure that persons with disabilities and the staff who support them are not left behind in Europe’s skills and employment agenda.

EASPD remains committed and available to support a Union of Skills that works for all.