Welcome speech by the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, at the Meeting of Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training

The Minister of Education, Sport and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Athena Michaelidou, welcomed yesterday, in a pre-recorded video message, the attendees of the meeting of Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training, taking place on 30 – 31 March 2026 in Brussels. The full text of Minister Michaelidou’s welcome speech is as follows:

Dear Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training,

Dear representatives of the European Commission and European Agencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honour to welcome you to this meeting of the Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training, held in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

We are meeting at a time when the ΕU is undergoing profound economic, social and technological transformations. The green and digital transitions, demographic shifts, geopolitical developments and the rapidly evolving needs of the labour market make skills development a strategic priority for Europe’s future.

In this context, VET plays a central role in building a resilient and competitive European skills ecosystem. It contributes significantly to social cohesion, sustainable growth and the creation of quality employment opportunities.

The Cyprus Presidency places particular emphasis on advancing the strategic dialogue on the future of VET in Europe, especially in relation to the next steps to be taken in this field by the member states hand in hand with the European Commission. This is closely linked to the implementation of the European Skills Agenda and the continued development of the European Education Area.

One of our Presidency’s key priorities is to promote policies that strengthen skills, enhance the link between education and the labour market, and foster innovation. Our aim is to contribute to shaping a robust European framework that supports sustainable development, social cohesion and competitiveness.

Strengthening the attractiveness of VET is also a key priority of the Cyprus Presidency. VET must be recognised on an equal footing with other educational pathways and offer real prospects for professional development, innovation and entrepreneurship. In this regard, reinforcing apprenticeships and strengthening links with the labour market are critical.

At the same time, quality and excellence must remain at the core of VET systems. This requires strong quality assurance mechanisms, continuous professional development for trainers and adopting modern pedagogical approaches.

Innovation is equally important. VET should act as a dynamic hub for cooperation among education providers, businesses, social partners and research institutions. The development of centres of vocational excellence, stronger synergies with industry and more flexible learning pathways can significantly enhance responsiveness to economic needs.

In addition, we must continue to promote the international dimension of VET. Mobility, transnational partnerships and the exchange of good practices strengthen the European dimension and enhance global competitiveness.

Furthermore, the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities. AI is transforming professions, creating new specialisations and reshaping how work is organised, while it can also become a valuable tool in education, enhancing the effectiveness of teaching and contributing to improved governance in education systems. In this context, the use of Artificial Intelligence in VET is also among our priorities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This meeting offers a valuable opportunity for meaningful dialogue on the future of VET in Europe. Through the exchange of ideas and experiences, we can help shape policies that strengthen skills, support competitiveness and ensure a fair and sustainable transition for all.

The Cyprus Presidency remains fully committed to promoting dialogue and cooperation in the field of skills and VET, contributing to a strong, resilient and competitive European skills landscape.

Thank you for being here today and for your contributions and I wish you all a successful and productive meeting.