Classification of occupations and VET core curricula

Stakeholders prepared changes in many VET curricula and developed new curricula. Teaching plans and programmes, career development paths, together with diplomas and qualification supplements in Polish and English, were also designed.

On 15 February 2019, a new Regulation on the general aims and tasks of vocational education and the classification of occupations for vocational education was introduced. It defines the key aims and tasks of VET and provides a list of 215 occupations (in 32 sectors) that can be taught in VET programmes in Poland. The latest classification of occupations introduced four new occupations, reinstalled one, and modified a number of other occupations and occupation names. The number and names of qualifications distinguished in occupations were also changed. Due to the new approach of generally assigning qualifications attained in vocational upper secondary schools and second stage sectoral schools to PQF level 4, and qualifications attained in post-secondary schools to PQF level 5, the new classification also introduced changes in the PQF levels of qualifications and the types of schools where certain occupations are taught.

On the same date, a new Regulation was introduced on the core curricula for occupations in VET in Poland. Changes to previous regulations were made in both the structure and content of the curricula. For example, detailed assessment criteria linked to the sets of expected learning outcomes were introduced.

The new Regulation also provides a list of additional vocational skills for selected occupations, which go beyond the core curriculum for a given profession (e.g. a student training to become a waiter can attain the additional qualification of bartender). Sets of expected learning outcomes and verification criteria are defined for each additional vocational skill (as for all occupations and distinguished qualifications).

The four new occupations added to the vocational education system were: welding technician (technik spawalnictwa), ceramics potter (zdobnik ceramiki), railway vehicle mechanic (mechanik pojazdów kolejowych) and railway vehicle technician (technik pojazdów kolejowych). The occupations were included in the classification of occupations for vocational education and their curricula were defined and included in the core curricula for occupations in vocational education. On this occasion, additional editorial changes were made in the Regulation on the general aims and tasks of vocational education and the classification of occupations for vocational education as well as Regulations on the core curricula for occupations in vocational education.

The introduction of the four new occupations is connected with identified labour market needs reported by employers and employer's organisations, such as shortages of employees in those professions.

On 11 March 2020, an amendment of the Regulation on the core curricula for occupations in sectoral education and additional vocational skills for selected occupations in sectoral education was approved.

The Regulation introduced the following professions to the classification of occupations in sectoral education: podiatrist (podolog), roofing technician (technik dekarstwa), robotics technician (technik robotyk), stylist technician (technik stylista) and changes in the profession of medical assistive personnel (opiekun medyczny).

In addition, the Regulation identified new additional professional skills: motor vehicle tyre servicing and operating an agricultural enterprise in accordance with the principles of modern management.

In January 2021, the following occupations were included in the education system: roofing technician (technik dekarstwa), robotics technician (technik robotyk), podiatrist (podolog) and stylist technician (technik stylista). They will be available to learners from September 2021. Their introduction to the classification of occupations in sectoral education required the development of new core curricula. To this end, on 5 February 2021, the legislative process was initiated for new amendments on the regulation on the core curricula for occupations in sectoral education and additional vocational skills for selected occupations in sectoral education.

In addition, the core curriculum for the profession of medical assistive personnel (opiekun medyczny) will also be modified and new additional professional skills (dodatkowe umiejetnosci zawodowe) will be specified on operating an agricultural enterprise in accordance with the principles of modern management and on motor vehicle tyre servicing.

On 15 February 2023, a new amendment to the 2022 regulation on the core curriculum for vocational education in sectoral professions and additional professional skills for selected sectoral professions entered the consultation phase and was subsequently approved on 23 May 2023. The need to amend the regulation arose from changes introduced by the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 18 January 2023, amending the regulation on general objectives and tasks of vocational education and the classification of vocational school professions (Journal of Laws, item 183). The changes included updates to the names of certain sectors, the introduction of new professions into the education system, and revisions in the classification of certain occupations, reflecting the implementation of requests by ministers responsible for specific vocational sectors.

On 27 December 2023, a new amendment to the regulation on the general aims and tasks of education in sectoral education professions and the classification of sectoral education professions was published. The amendment was primarily driven by changes introduced by the Act of August 30, 2023, which established a new type of institution: Sectoral Skills Centres, replaced market qualifications with free-market qualifications, and introduced sectoral qualifications in the Integrated Qualifications System.
Furthermore, the amendment took into account the Minister for Energy's request to introduce a new profession into the automotive sector: Electromobility Technician.

On 6 June 2024, a new amendment to the regulation on the core curriculum for vocational education in sectoral education professions and additional professional skills in selected professions was approved. The amendment responded to the introduction of the new profession 'Electromobility Technician' and the need to update selected professions in the following sectors: mechanical (machine tool operator, mechanical technician), automotive (vehicle electromechanics, automotive technician), and agricultural (veterinary technician).