Vocational Education and Training (VET)1 refers to ‘learning pathways which aim to equip people with knowledge, know-how, skills and/or competences required in particular occupations or more broadly in the labour market’ for the jobs of today and tomorrow. High-quality vocational education and training systems that have a strong work-based learning element facilitate young people’s transition to work and can contribute to reducing unemployment and supporting economic development. VET is also a powerful means of empowering people to develop their full capabilities, enabling them to seize social and employment opportunities, and increasing the productivity of both workers and enterprises. Better education and training is also necessary for (although it does not guarantee) decent work and socially sustainable, fair growth.

VET and skills policies include formal, non-formal and informal vocational learning, workplace and work-based learning, and other learning opportunities in the formal and informal economies. These policies support a life-long learning approach to economic growth, and good employment and social objectives. This paper sets out the concepts that underlie the preparation of VET reforms and other VET-related projects by EU Delegations or teams within the European Commission.