Slovenia: Teacher training model marks step in modernising VET

Modernised competence-based VET programmes

As part of the Modernisation of VET project (2022-2025), the first five upper secondary vocational programmes (EQF level 4) were modernised in December 2024 and approved by the Expert Council for VET in March 2025. The revision placed a stronger emphasis on competence-based assessment in vocational education.In its first phase, it focused on integrating seven key competences: digital competence, health and wellbeing, learning to learn, entrepreneurship, sustainability, career management, and a combined area of artistic, civic, cultural, and linguistic competences.

These programmes will be offered across different pathways starting from the 2026/2027 school year. They include:

• three industrial mechanic VET programmes (vocational-technical upper secondary programme, vocational upper secondary programme, and technical upper secondary programme);
• one pharmacist VET programme (technical upper secondary programme);
• one nursing assistant VET programme (vocational upper secondary programme).

Teacher training model

To support the implementation of the first five modernised upper secondary VET programmes, a dedicated teacher training model has been piloted since January 2025 in 19 VET schools. The pilot is expected to be completed by March 2026 and introduced nationwide in September 2026.

More specifically, the teacher training model – delivered in the form of 12 workshops – began in January 2025 and is being implemented in 19 VET schools. Each school has formed a team of three to four teachers selected internally.

The training is structured in two parts:

• five general workshops, attended by the full teacher team from each school;
• seven workshops focusing on the key competences, attended by two team members per school.

The general workshops (Workshops 1-3, 11 and 12) support schools in managing the change process, developing competence-based curricula, and preparing for implementation and evaluation.

• Workshop 1 brought together school principals to discuss how to lead the change process and the role of leadership in implementing competence-based education.
• Workshop 2 engaged full school teams in drafting a school-level curriculum and action plan aligned with the key competences approach.
• Workshop 3 guided the teams in refining their draft curriculum and designing initial learning situations – a teaching method based on real-life problem-solving to help students apply their knowledge in practice.
• Workshop 11, planned for early 2026, will support teams in finalising learning situations and preparing for competence-based assessment.
• Workshop 12, the final session, will focus on school-level self-evaluation. Each school will present its action plan for the gradual implementation of the new curricula, showcase its revised curriculum, and reflect on lessons learned during the pilot phase.

The key competences workshops (Workshops 4–10) are taking place between May and December 2025. Two teachers from each school participate in these sessions, which are dedicated to the seven key competences. The workshops are aligned with both the European sustainability competence framework and the Concept of including key competences, published in May 2024 as part of the Modernisation of VET project.

Each workshop focuses on one key competence. The aim is to help teachers integrate these competences into school curricula – particularly within learning situations – to ensure they are embedded in everyday teaching practice.

One planned output is a training manual for teaching staff, which will provide practical tools and examples to support the implementation of the updated programmes. The manual is designed to promote flexible, individualised, and digitalised teaching approaches, and to serve as a national resource for vocational educators.

The development of this training model is an important step in improving the quality and relevance of vocational education. It supports schools in implementing change and helps learners develop competences aligned with the needs of today’s green and digital economy. As part of the national modernisation effort, the training contributes to building a more resilient and inclusive VET system.

Integration into the Modernisation of VET

This teacher training model is part of the Modernisation of VET project (2022–2026), which has to date piloted five upper secondary programmes and plans to pilot a further 20 upper secondary and 16 higher vocational programmes by 2026. The project supports the digital and green transitions, sustainable growth and social inclusion. By focusing on teacher development, the training model strengthens schools’ capacity to provide flexible and future-oriented education that responds to labour market needs.

Read more:

• Modernisation of VET project 2022-2026: Activity 2 - Quality of planning and implementation of secondary vocational and technical education programs at the provider level
• LifeComp conceptual reference model
• DigComp 2.2: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens
• EntreComp: The entrepreneurship competence framework
• GreenComp: The European sustainability competence framework