Enhancing skills training, digital literacy, flexibility, quality assurance, inclusiveness, and excellence has long been central to European vocational education and training (VET) policy, and remains a priority under the Polish Presidency. Robust VET systems are essential for equipping individuals with the competences needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape, while also supporting competitiveness, economic growth, and social cohesion.
Poland’s VET system builds on a strong educational tradition and a forward-looking vision for a skilled workforce. Poland’s focus on skills training and education reform has transformed its VET system, making it more attractive, diverse, and flexible, and better tailored to learners of all ages and backgrounds.
Collaboration with stakeholders, one of the key priorities of the European Skills Agenda, has helped Poland to modernise curricula, improve teacher training and reinforce industry partnerships. Sector skills councils and centres, similar to the centres of vocational excellence, address industry-specific needs, facilitate cooperation, and develop specialised skills for students, teachers, workers, and adults seeking retraining, while implementing the concept of vocational excellence in VET.
Employers are encouraged to play a greater role in VET by identifying required skills and qualifications, updating VET curricula, contributing to exams, and supporting practical training. Poland already mandates work-based learning for all VET-oriented programmes, aligning with the new European Commission emphasis on investing in education and training to address labour shortages and demographic challenges, a key priority for the Polish Presidency of the European Council.
Tailored initiatives for green, digital, and future-proof VET
By tailoring training initiatives to the needs of key sectors, Poland aims to improve its competitiveness and ensure a steady supply of skilled workers. For example, the rising demand from the digital and green transitions is driving the integration of digital literacy and sustainability into Poland's VET curricula.
Poland’s skills intelligence mechanisms provide valuable information for making informed decisions at different levels, contributing to better-targeting VET provision to labour market needs. Graduate tracking practices also help to enrich the quality and effectiveness of career guidance.
Commitment to inclusion and accessibility
The future of VET in Poland will also be shaped by its capacity to embrace inclusion and accessibility. The country is committed to creating a more inclusive society by providing access to high-quality vocational education and offering lifelong learning and upskilling opportunities to all, especially for individuals with disabilities and adults seeking new career paths.
By continuing to invest in vocational education, Poland is not only preparing its workforce for the future but also contributing to the resilience and prosperity of the European Union as a whole.
(*) This piece was adapted from the foreword of Cedefop's Vocational education and training in Poland: short description.
