The final report of the 2018-20 ET2020 working group on vocational education and training (VET) presents insights for pioneering new approaches.

It summarises the outcomes of the work carried out by the group members over two years on topics related to innovation and digitalisation in VET including: new pedagogical and andragogical approaches for teachers and trainers; new learning environments and organisational developments in training institutions and companies; the use of modern learning technologies in VET and higher VET; proactive and flexible VET systems supporting smart specialisation strategy and industrial clusters; how to adapt curricula/training programmes and regulations to rapidly changing labour markets; governance and financing; quality and excellence in VET; support of VET learning mobility, careers without borders and VET internationalisation.

The report discusses the role, potentially critical yet still to be exploited, that innovation and digitalisation in VET may play in the transition to greener and digital societies, as well as in building post-coronavirus Europe.

The topics are addressed from two viewpoints: how can innovation and digitalisation support higher quality, more flexible and more modern VET; and how can VET systems reflect and integrate innovation and digitalisation and redefine their role to support them.

The report provides eight insights that should contribute to informing political decisions which shape the future of the current generation of learners.

It also offers numerous good practices from across Europe, including 12 Lighthouse projects.

Cedefop has contributed to the work of the group over its two-year mandate and to drafting the report as part of a small technical group that has formulated the report’s vision, viewpoints and insights.

Introducing the findings, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmitt said: ‘For governments, businesses, social partners, VET providers and other relevant stakeholders looking for a new impetus on how to introduce or build on innovation and digitalisation for quality VET, I encourage you to learn from the eight insights and make use of the inspirational examples in this report. Ultimately, modernising VET systems across Europe will create a brighter future for young people, adults, companies and society as a whole.’