Cedefop takes a look at the current EU Presidency holder’s vocational education and training (VET) system in a new animated video.
VET in Sweden starts at 16, after compulsory education, and is offered at upper secondary, post-secondary and higher levels. There are school-based and apprenticeship programmes, both with work-based learning elements.
In 2021, 9 in 10 upper secondary VET graduates were employed, compared to an EU-27 average of 8 in 10. Sweden had the highest participation in lifelong learning in the EU (34.7%).
In other areas, non-formal adult education, a tradition in the country, is skills-oriented and supports labour market integration; learners have the right to financial assistance irrespective of background or life situation; and, while skills mismatch persists, it is addressed by improving links between education and work.
National goals and learning outcomes are defined centrally in the Swedish structure, but implementation is decentralised.
More information:
- Watch the video here.
- Check out our Spotlight on VET in Sweden.
- More Cedefop reports on Sweden.
