Meeting of Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training: Laying the foundations for the development of the future VET Strategy

The development of the future Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy, the enhancement of VET attractiveness and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on VET were at the centre of discussions during the two-day meeting of Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training (DGVT Meeting) held on 30 and 31 March 2026 in Brussels, in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The meeting brought together Directors-General responsible for VET from all EU member states, representatives of the European Commission and experts, providing a forum for policy discussions, expert insights and interactive sessions.

Particular emphasis was placed on the attractiveness of VET, recognising it as a key priority for strengthening the relevance, resilience and inclusiveness of VET systems across Europe. Discussions highlighted the need to enhance the image and perception of VET, ensuring it is seen as a high-quality and rewarding pathway that offers strong career prospects, opportunities for progression, and alignment with labour market needs.

Participants underlined the importance of making VET more appealing through improved guidance, modernised curricula, and closer links with industry. Eurobarometer results, as well as evidence from the Cedefop study on VET attractiveness pointed to persistent challenges, but also to growing recognition of the role of VET in supporting the green and digital transitions.

Participants also examined the impact of AI on VET, exploring both the opportunities it presents and the challenges it introduces for education systems, learners and the workforce. Discussions highlighted the transformative potential of AI in modernising VET delivery. At the same time, participants reflected on the implications of AI for the future of work, emphasising the need for VET systems to adapt curricula and training provision in line with rapidly evolving labour market demands. The importance of equipping learners with not only technical digital skills, but also transversal competences -such as critical thinking, adaptability and ethical awareness- was strongly underlined. Overall, the discussions underscored that while AI offers significant opportunities to enhance the quality, responsiveness and attractiveness of VET, it also requires coordinated policy efforts and strategic investment to ensure its responsible and inclusive implementation across Europe.

On the second day, participants engaged in parallel deep-dive workshops, addressing key thematic areas such as VET quality, excellence, innovation and VET – business partnerships, internationalisation and continuous VET. These sessions provided a structured yet interactive setting for focused exchanges and meaningful dialogue, enabling participants to delve into specific topics while sharing national experiences, policy approaches and good practices that can support the ongoing development and modernisation of VET systems across Europe.

The meeting concluded with a brief presentation by the incoming Irish Presidency of the Council of EU and closing remarks by the European Commission and the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of EU.