Vocational education and training (VET) is crucial to Europes efforts to reposition itself in the global economy and respond to the social challenges posed by ageing societies.
To provide the knowledge and skills base for Europe to prosper, European ministers, the European Commission and European social partners agreed a policy agenda for VET in the Copenhagen process in 2002.
Reviews of the process every two years have underlined the focus on VETs quality, attractiveness, good governance, and efforts to meet target dates to implement common European principles and tools.
Countries have worked on these areas emphasising equity and relevance to the labour market, but also a need to focus on excellence. Cedefops analysis and countries self-assessment show a closer alignment of national priorities and the European agenda in 2008. Although progress varies, a European VET area is emerging.