How can vocational education and training adapt to rapid technological change while remaining accessible to every learner? This online Conference brings together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to discuss cutting-edge evidence on how national vocational education and training (VET) systems foster excellence and inclusion.
Its aim will be to deepen Cedefop’s understanding of the challenges facing European vocational education and training (VET) in the coming decades. Discussions will focus on how the concepts of excellence and inclusion are understood, addressed and operationalised at a national level.
The conference will examine the characteristics of VET at higher levels and how (as well as whether and in which form) they underpin excellence but also how they deal with inclusion. It further complements the ongoing political discussion on the future of European VET.
A significant part of the event will be dedicated to research contributions selected through an open call for abstracts. The call particularly welcomes contributions from the broader Future of VET research community, including researchers in VET, labour economics, education policy and innovation studies.
Important dates
- Abstract submission deadline: 15 July 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 15 September 2026
- Registration opens for all participants: 1 October 2026
- Online conference: 19 November 2026
The event is part of the European Skills & VET Week, an initiative from the European Commission, organised by Cedefop. Since 2016, the Week provides policy makers, stakeholders and social partners with a platform to share insights, showcase best practices, and help drive strategies for upskilling and reskilling the European workforce.
The event is also offered to ReferNet members as a Knowledge Sharing Seminar.
Event details
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