Vocational education and training (VET) provides opportunities for young people to develop, enrich and upgrade their skills, and to acquire qualifications. Better skills and qualifications increase young people’s employability and assist their inclusion in society.
VET plays a major role in promoting innovation and productivity. It addresses skills needs, prevents skills mismatches and supports youth employment. VET is central to policies that effectively address the needs of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs). Such policies include outreach, personalised guidance; skills assessment; provision of tailored, flexible and quality learning; and recognition and validation of skills acquired in both formal and informal settings.
Tailored VET pathways allow individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills required for a range of occupations (and, more broadly, the labour market) and support young people’s active participation in society. VET programmes can provide young people with the relevant experience to prepare for and make the transition to work, as well as a better understanding of their career options. Work-based learning, including apprenticeships, can enhance general employability and entrepreneurship skills by providing learners with hands-on experience in real or simulated work settings. This, in turn, helps to address skills needs in the labour market.
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