The meeting of the Directors General on Vocational Education and Training (VET) brought together high-level representatives from 30 countries, together with the European cross-sectoral social partners to discuss policy priorities and to provide direction for European cooperation

The High-level representatives meeting took place on 16 and 17 May 2022 and was organised by the French Presidency in cooperation with the European Commission. Manuela Geleng, Director for Jobs and Skills, represented the Commission in the meeting. 

The aim of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of the 2020 Council Recommendation on VET for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience and of the Osnabrück Declaration, endorsed in 2020 by Member States, candidate and EFTA countries and European Social Partners. By end of May, the countries concerned are expected to submit National Implementation Plans of reforms to be carried out in the next years.

The French Presidency took the occasion to showcase their VET system and some inspiring practices, in the field of digital and green skills, learning mobility and their “Campus des métiers et qualifications”.

Examples were presented by Finland on international cooperation, a Spanish VET school on inclusive learning mobility, the French automotive Association on their internationalisation strategy and by the Irish construction sector on their green transformation.

These presentations illustrated how countries can find solutions to common challenges and implement the commitments taken in the VET Recommendation and Osnabrück Declaration.

The European Commission reported on recent policy initiatives, among others on structured dialogue on digital education and skills, role of VET in integration of Ukrainian people fleeing the war, monitoring of VET Recommendation, EQAVET peer reviews, Pact for Skills, the working groups on VET and Adult learning, green skills, Erasmus+ and Centres of Vocational Excellence.

A new comprehensive brochure on vocational education and training is now online: it includes a link to the translations of the Osnabrück Declaration in all EU languages.

Background

Since 2002, DGVT meetings contribute to enhance cooperation in the field of VET between Member States, candidate countries, EFTA/EEA countries and European social partners as part of the Copenhagen Process.

This is a voluntary process undertaken by countries with the aim to improve the performance, quality and attractiveness of VET in Europe