January – June 2026: Latest highlights from Cedefop’s VET Toolkit Team & Ambassadors Network

UNICEF - DYPA U-Talent promotional event, “Skills of the 21^st Century” presentation (17 December 2025, Thessaloniki)

Cedefop expert, Irene Psifidou, represented Cedefop at the UNICEF – DYPA U-Talent  event, “Skills of the 21^st Century”, held on 17 December in Thessaloniki discussing skills needs in the labour market  and VET teachers’ professional development needs to teach such skills. UNICEF in collaboration with the Greek Public Employment Services (DYPA) presented the U-Talent initiative , for supporting young people’s employability. supporting young people’s employability.

Job Center Digital Inclusion Day 2026, (19 February 2026, Athens)

Michail Papazoglou, Cedefop expert, participated in the Digital Inclusion Day 2026, held by the Job Center of the Athens City Hall. The event brought together stakeholders to discuss digital inclusion, artificial intelligence, and equal access to the labour market.

Addressing the question on “How businesses implement the digital transition with inclusion”, Michail Papazoglou presented evidence from Cedefop research showcasing the importance of targeted support measures to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital transformation and the transition from education and training to the labour market.

In-depth INAPP Webinar “The professional development of IVET trainers and the role of ‘strategic skills’” (3 March 2026)

Irene Psifidou, Cedefop expert, participated in this webinar organised by the Italian National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP) on the professional development of IVET teachers and trainers. She presented the pilot findings of the European Vocational Teacher Survey (EVTS), highlighting key challenges faced by VET teachers, including increasing workloads, skills demands linked to the digital and green transitions, and pressures on wellbeing and job satisfaction. She emphasised the importance of supportive working environments and continuing professional development for VET teachers, to strengthen the attractiveness and sustainability of the profession.

EVTA Community Meetup: “Updated Curricula in VET: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Skills” (10 March 2026, online)

During the European Vocational Training Association meet-up, on the theme of “Updated Curricula in VET: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Skills”, Irene Psifidou presented Cedefop’s project on AI-driven mapping and analysis of digital skills in initial VET curricula to assess whether learners are developing the digital skills needed for future jobs. See preliminary findings here:  Cedefop working paper Digital Skills integration in IVET curricula authorised by Papazoglou, Psifidou, and Kamopoulou,

4^th Ambassadors Webinar “Harnessing AI & Digital Technologies to Empower Young People at Risk” (11 March 2026)

Cedefop’s 4^th webinar for the 'Ambassadors tackling early leaving from VET' network on “Harnessing AI and digital technologies to empower young people at risk” was organised by VET our team on 11^th  March.

During this webinar, Cedefop experts Irene Psifidou, Stefanie Ledermaier, and Michail Papazoglou, as well as Cedefop Trainee, Zoi Kamopoulou, presented Cedefop call for papers on: “Harnessing AI & Digital Technologies to Empower Young People at Risk”, and invited ambassadors to contribute with new evidence, insights, and experiences in this emerging research field.

Four ambassadors were invited to share their insights on the use of AI and digital technologies in their work with NEETs and early leavers from VET:

• Dr. Eglė Celiešienė, Lithuanian Ambassador from our network
• Dr. Alena Minns, Slovak Ambassador from our network
• Minh-Huy Lai, French Ambassador from our network
• Dr. Sofia Leitão, Spanish Ambassador from our network

The recording of the webinar can be accessed here.

 

Jornada Formativa “La conexión que impulsa la FP” (15 May 2026, Gran Canarias, online)

Cedefop expert, Irene Psifidou, was invited by the Centro Integrado de Formación Profesional San Cristóbal in Gran Canarias to contribute online at their 3^rd Training Session, “The connection that drives VET”. She discussed the skills and competences young people need for a changing labour market and highlighted the need to equip VET teachers with the tools, professional development and support necessary to lead this transition.

 

Jornadas de internacionalización del SIFPRE, (21 May 2026, Tenerife)

Cedefop expert, Irene Psifidou, delivered a keynote speech at the SIFPRE internationalisation Days in Tenerife, invited by the Canarian governement. She highlighted early leaving from education and training as a broader social challenge and stressing VET’s key role in prevention and youth empowerment. She also underlined the value of mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ in strengthening engagement, employability and a sense of belonging. See events summary video here.

 

5^th Ambassadors Webinar “Building inclusive futures for NEETs” (10 June 2026)

The 5^th webinar for the 'Ambassadors tackling early leaving from VET' network on “Building inclusive futures for NEETs” was organised by our team on 10^th June.

During this webinar, Cedefop experts Irene Psifidou, Stefanie Ledermaier, and Michail Papazoglou, presented Cedefop latest research paper “Building inclusive futures for NEETs: VET solutions for Europe’s young people not in employment, education or training”, which sheds light on challenges faced particularly by female NEETs and NEETs living in remote areas to re-engage in employment or training. Key intervention approaches and good practices of this report are drawn from  Cedefop toolkit for empowering NEETs.

Ambassadors shared insights, experiences, good practices and upcoming events, making the webinar a lively and fruitful exchange. 

The recording of the webinar can be accessed here.

 

Coming Up Next

EVBB policy camp to be hosted by Cedefop (1 July 2026, Thessaloniki)

This year’s EVBB Policy Camp in Thessaloniki will bring together VET professionals and policymakers from across Europe under the theme “Beyond the Bubble”. Cedefop will host the event on 1 July and lead discussions on VET teachers and trainers, micro credentials, mobility and inclusion.

Erasmus+ SupportSphere Final Conference to be hosted by Cedefop (24 September 2026, Thessaloniki)

At the initiative of our Greek ambassador, Dr Dimitris Kiriakos, project coordinator of the Erasmus+ KA220-VET Project “SupportSphere: Prevent VET Students from Going NEET”, Cedefop will host its Final Conference in Thessaloniki on 24 September. The event coordinated by SAEK - School of Advanced Vocational Training will bring together VET providers and experts to discuss career guidance, NEET prevention and stakeholder cooperation. Cedefop will present its work on inclusion.

What’s New in the VET Toolkit for Tackling Early Leaving

New Good Practice

• Action research in Educational Centres

Updated Intervention Approaches

• All intervention approaches of the ELET toolkit have been updated to address latest developments in AI and digitalisation.

New Publications Added

• 20 new publications added, including the OECD Report Promoting well-being in digital education, a series of European Commission guidelines on teaching informatics, tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy, and improving the use of digital education content by teachers. See more here.

What’s New in the VET Toolkit for Empowering NEETs

New Good Practice

• SupportSphere, provided by Greek ambassador, Dr. Dimitrios Kiriakos

New Tool

• Digital Start, provided by Slovakian ambassador, Alena Minns

New Publications

• 6 new publications added, including Mind the AI Divide: Shaping a Global Perspective on the Future of Work, and Implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee - Trends in EU Member States, impact, EU funding and governance. See more here.

Latest Toolkits’ Blog Articles

• Generative AI and labour market inclusion: equaliser or divider for Europe’s workforce?
• Keeping Learning Human in the Age of Generative AI
• Digital skills in VET: a policy ambition stuck in structural reality?
• Building Inclusive Futures for NEETs: How VET Can Unlock Europe’s Potential

New Cedefop Publications

• Building Inclusive Futures: VET Solutions for Europe’s NEETs, Cedefop Research paper

The paper examines how VET can support the social inclusion of NEETs. It concludes with key policy messages especially for supporting the inclusion for female NEETs and young people in remote or rural areas.

• VET teachers at a turning point: Pilot evidence from Cedefop's European Vocational Teacher Survey, Cedefop Working paper

Drawing on pilot data from the ongoing European Vocational Teacher Survey (EVTS), the paper ”, co-authored by Irene Psifidou, Michail Papazoglou and Konstantinos Pouliakas, Cedefop experts maps out preliminary findings on the pressing challenges, working conditions, and professional development needs of initial VET teachers. The paper provides policy messages for tackling staff shortages and expanding quality continuing professional development in digital skills and AI, in green skills, and inclusive education.

• Digital skills integration in IVET curricula: How governance frameworks shape implementation across eight European countries, Cedefop Working paper

Drawing on preliminary findings from the ongoing project “Mapping digital skills in IVET curricula” this paper co-authored by Michail Papazoglou, Irene Psifidou, and Zoi Kamopoulou, provides qualitative evidence on curriculum governance, updating processes, stakeholder involvement, and strategies for embedding digital skills. Findings indicate that governance arrangements strongly influence curricular responsiveness.

Cedefop on the European School Education Platform

Strengthening inclusion in VET: aligning teacher preparedness with system capacity – by Irene Psifidou

This article highlights how system capacity, including appropriate infrastructure and resources, continued professional development for teachers, as well as digital and well-being support, is crucial for preparing teachers to better respond to increasingly diverse and modernising classroom environments.

Clicks, classrooms and care: nurturing VET teachers’ wellbeing and digital skills – by Irene Psifidou and Michail Papazoglou

This article explores how Europe’s digital transition impacts educators’ workloads and highlights strategies to support their mental resilience alongside modern digital training.

AI literacy as a foundational skill for VET learners and teachers – by Stefanie Ledermaier and Zoi Kamopoulou

This expert view highlights why technical proficiency in AI alone is insufficient and argues for embedding ethical, human-centric, and critical evaluation of AI skills into vocational training.

The role of continuing professional development in VET teachers’ careers – by Irene Psifidou, Michail Papazoglou, Konstantinos Pouliakas

This expert article underscores the importance of high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) for VET teachers. The authors discuss how the organisational context influences the quality and uptake of CPD opportunities by VET teachers. Moreover, according to results from the European VET Teacher Survey (EVTS) pilot, CPD is very strongly linked with higher engagement with digital technologies and responsible AI use.

Ambassadors in Action

• Europe – Minh Huy Lai & Daniel Soldan: Shared Generation’s latest publication “Driving Economic Mobility Through Employment - Five data insights from Generation’s work over the last decade”, and Generation Europe Impact Report 2025–2026.
• Portugal – Ana Ribeiro: AVEA - Escola Profesional de Aveiro hosted the International Job Shadowing on Inclusive Education and Early School Leaving Prevention (20-22 May 2026), where Cedefop’s toolkit for empowering NEETs was presented.

• Italy – Elisabetta Buono: Creates digital graphic organisers and learning tools for students and showcases them in teacher training programmes in Italy.
• Italy – Daniela de Gregorio: The first course on the Green Tourism Certification of the Sustainable Ecotourism Awareness project was launched.
• Belgium – Giulia Meschino: invited ambassadors to the 2026 Summit taking place in Dublin, on 15-16 October related to the “Connecting Women in Digital” project.
• Europe – Valentina Chanina: shared the “Bienvivance in Education for Regenerative Education and Inclusive Excellence” EfVET webinar (which took place on 16 June 2026).

Welcoming new ambassadors

Mrs Aikaterini Bompolaki    Hellenic Mediterranean University

Mrs Aikaterini Bompolaki is an experienced vocational education teacher specialising in Tourism Management, with 18 years of teaching experience and certification as an adult educator since 2004. She has delivered training in hotel management, alternative tourism, and sustainable tourism development, and has collaborated with organisations including the Institute of Educational Policy and the National Authority for Higher Education. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the Hellenic Mediterranean University while serving as an administrator in Chania, Crete, under the Ministry of Education.

Dr Monica Turturean   Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava

Dr Monica Turturean is a Lecturer and Teacher Trainer at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, where she has been involved in teaching, research, counselling, teacher education, and educational project development for more than twenty years. She currently trains pre-service and in-service teachers, contributes to educational research, and participates in national and European initiatives focused on educational quality, inclusion, well-being, digital transformation, and learner support. In the past, she served as a mentor in remedial education programmes addressing pupils at risk of school dropout, coordinating pedagogical teams and supporting the implementation of targeted interventions designed to prevent educational exclusion.

Cedefop activities: keep moving, keep learning

Irene Psifidou and Michail Papazoglou, together with other Cedefop experts, staff, and trainees, run at the 20th “Alexander the Great” International Marathon in Thessaloniki, on 26 April 2026.