Poland’s VET Action Plan 2022-25

The VET Action Plan 2022-25 presents the main objectives to be achieved in the field of VET, national challenges to be addressed, as well as the most important tools and measures to be implemented. The plan provides the strategic and legal framework, the general objective and specific sub-objectives to be achieved, a detailed description of main activities including aspects relating to governance, and expected outcomes.

VET focuses on skills

National strategies, reforms and projects developed and implemented in recent years in Poland show the importance of professional skills in human life, and the key role of VET and lifelong learning in personal and professional development.

The VET system in Poland is undergoing significant structural, organisational and curricular changes. An intensive reform programme in the education sector, launched in 2016, aimed to adapt the structure of education and curricula to the skill needs of the modern labour market and the demands of society. The reformed system offers learners the education necessary for further personal development and the possibility to acquire professional qualifications jointly created with employers, responding to the needs of a modern economy.

High-quality and inclusive VET

The challenges faced by VET in Poland include economic changes, the development of new technologies, progressive digitalisation, the COVID-19 pandemic and the current refugee crisis. To respond to these, the main objective defined in the VET Action Plan will be to prepare people for the modern economy by developing high-quality, relevant, effective and inclusive vocational education at all levels. This objective will be pursued through the following five specific measures:

• implementation of the Integrated Skills Strategy 2030 through the development of professional skills in formal and non-formal education, including skills relating to the green and digital transition;
• provision and professional development of the pedagogical staff working in the VET system;
• development of career guidance and promotion of VET;
• implementation of innovative and sustainable mechanisms of cooperation at national and international levels in the field of VET, favouring the adequacy and quality of education, as well as resilience and professional excellence;
• support of the development of modern VET and lifelong learning at regional level, ensuring cooperation of VET providers with local governments and social partners.

Funding and governance of the action plan

• Funds for the implementation of these activities is expected to come from national and EU funds:
• State budget, including: ‘For life’ comprehensive family support programme;
• EU funds, including:

1. Erasmus+;
2. European Regional Development Fund;
3. European Funds for Social Development for 2021-2027;
4. National Recovery and Resilience Plan;
5. Operational Programme Knowledge, Education and Development for 2014-2020.

The governance of the VET Action Plan 2022-25 is closely related to that of the Integrated Skills Strategy 2030 as a public policy. The mechanisms applied to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Integrated Skills Strategy 2030 will be used as tools to coordinate the activities designed in the VET Action Plan and monitor the achievement of their expected outcomes.

Read more

• Plan działań w zakresie kształcenia i szkolenia zawodowego na lata 2022-2025 [Vocational Education and Training Action Plan 2022-2025]
• Council Recommendation of 24 November 2020 on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience
• Osnabrück Declaration on vocational education and training as an enabler of recovery and just transitions to digital and green economies
• Poland: VET reform continues
• Poland: integrated skills strategy 2030