Poland: strengthening VET – industry partnerships

The Ministry of National Education launched the ‘Sectoral agreement on vocational education and training’ project in November 2024, as part of efforts to deepen industry engagement in vocational education and training (VET). The project, running from 2024 to 2027, marks a significant step in modernising Poland’s VET system by reinforcing collaboration with industry.

Funding and implementation

The initiative operates as a non-competitive project within the European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 programme, (project number FERS.01.04-IP.05-012/23). It has a budget of PLN 17.49 million (EUR 4.1 million), with 82.52% funded by the European Social Fund Plus and the remainder from the national budget.

The project promotes systematic cooperation between educational institutions and industry to address evolving labour market needs, particularly in response to the digital and green transitions. This supports Poland's broader strategy to modernise VET and improve its responsiveness to contemporary economic challenges.

Engagement strategy

The project outlines four key objectives to strengthen VET-industry partnerships:

• facilitating dialogue between industry and the VET system to improve workplace-based skills development;
• increasing industry involvement in shaping VET and workplace learning;
• promoting cooperation between employers and VET schools;
• developing proposals for organisational and legal solutions to recruit industry specialists into VET.

These objectives represent a comprehensive approach to bridging the gap between education and labour market requirements.

Sectoral meetings and structure

A structured cycle of sectoral meetings lies at the core of the project’s implementation. These meetings address key workforce development challenges, including:

• anticipated labour market needs for intermediate- and lower-level skilled workers;
• emerging skills, qualifications and professions;
• future occupations expected to gain prominence in VET;
• the importance of lifelong learning and professional development to meet changing market needs.

This emphasis on lifelong learning aligns with Poland's strategy for workforce development and economic competitiveness, especially in the context of technological change and the green transition.

Monitoring and quality assurance

The project includes systematic monitoring of VET provision across sectors, enabling rapid responses to changing labour market needs and updates of occupational curricula. This monitoring ensures that educational programmes remain relevant and support the development of new qualifications and skills frameworks.

Curriculum reviews incorporate technological advances, digitalisation needs and green economy priorities, reflecting Poland’s commitment to maintaining VET quality and aligning with European policy goals.

Expected outcomes

The initiative is expected to deliver substantial improvements in VET-industry collaboration, including:

• recruitment of sectoral representatives to support the VET system;
• signing of sectoral agreements;
• creation of a national team of sectoral consultants;
• forecasting short- and long-term demand for occupations;
• consultation on curriculum changes;
• development of recommendations for sector-specific and free-market qualifications;
• identification of key future competences;
• improvement of the vocational examination system;
• promotion of dual education;
• integration of market specialists into VET.

Building on Poland’s existing sector skills councils and centres, the project reinforces collaboration between educational institutions and employers across key economic sectors.

The project reflects Poland's commitment to modernising VET to better align it with industry needs. Using European Social Fund Plus resources, it addresses skills development challenges while promoting digital and green transitions. It aims to make VET more attractive and effective, ensuring that young people and adults can access quality training aligned with their career aspirations and national economic goals.

Further reading:

• Almost EUR 5 billion from EFS+ funds for social development
• FERS project – Sectoral agreement for vocational education and training (Projekt FERS - Porozumienie branżowe na rzecz kształcenia i szkolenia zawodowego)
• Sectoral agreement for vocational education and training – matching the vocational education system with labour market needs (Porozumienie branżowe na rzecz kształcenia i szkolenia zawodowego - dopasowanie systemu kształcenia zawodowego do potrzeb rynku pracy) 

• Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].