Poland: a new advisory Council for VET starts working

The Council of Directors of sectoral vocational education schools and training institutions was established in May 2024 by the Polish education minister so that all partners could jointly look for solutions to make vocational education more attractive in a systemic way.

Main tasks
One of the Council's main tasks is to initiate and evaluate proposed changes in the structure and content of vocational education and training (VET). This includes formulating organisational and legal solutions and arranging preliminary consultations with the heads of educational institutions and other relevant stakeholders. The Council also cooperates with employers to advise the Minister for Education and school directors on proposed changes to VET. It is also responsible for organising and supporting information and promotion activities on VET, with particular focus on individual sectors and employers.

During its second meeting on 23-24 September 2024, with the participation of the Minister for Education on the first day, the Council discussed important issues to ensure that VET will be attractive to young people and meet the needs of the labour market in the years ahead. Topics discussed included career guidance, the promotion of vocational education and the implementation of organisational changes in vocational education to increase the involvement of students with employers.

Composition and support
The Council comprises 48 directors of schools and institutions offering VET. Its members include directors from stage I and II sectoral programmes (branżowa szkoła I i II stopnia), vocational upper secondary programmes (technikum), post-secondary schools, vocational training centres and heads of institutions establishing sectoral skills centres. The Minister for Education or the Council chairperson may also invite individuals with relevant expertise to participate in an advisory capacity.

The Council is mainly supported by the Department of Vocational Education at the Ministry of National Education, while organisational and administrative assistance is provided by the Centre for Education Development in Warsaw.

Read more

• Ordinance of the Minister for Education of 15 May 2024 on the establishment of the Council of Directors of Sectoral Vocational Education Schools and Training Institutions    
• 2nd meeting of the Council of Directors of Sectoral Vocational Education Schools and Training Institutions