Modern vocational education and training requires not only a response to the current needs of the labour market, but also long-term planning and an openness to solutions adopted in other European countries. It was from this premise that the project ‘Strategic Management in the Vocational Education and Training Sector – Exchange of Experiences and Knowledge Externalisation’ (#VET-STAGE), implemented as part of an international partnership under the Erasmus+ programme. The project leader and initiator is the Centre for Support of Crafts, Dual and Vocational Education in Konin, which invited experienced and proven partners to join the project: our German agency, Berlink, and the Intercultural Association Mobility Friends from Portugal.
From needs assessment to European cooperation
The inspiration for this project came from the experiences of the Centre for Support of Crafts, Dual and Vocational Education in Konin, gained during the implementation of an EEA-funded project, which resulted in the development of a Vocational Education and Training Strategy for Eastern Greater Poland. The assessment carried out revealed that many institutions responsible for the development of vocational education operate primarily on the basis of local experience, without broader reference to European models of educational organisation. Limited knowledge of good practices, little experience in implementing international projects, and a relatively low level of innovation in the areas of career guidance, cooperation with employers and the promotion of vocational education and training provided the impetus for taking action at a transnational level.
CWRKDiZ in Konin took on the role of project leader and, together with its international partners, created a forum for exchanging experiences and building lasting relationships between institutions operating in the VET sector.
Project objectives
The main objective of the project was to prepare key stakeholders in the vocational education and training sector for the gradual implementation of the Vocational Education Development Strategy in Eastern Greater Poland, and to promote strategic planning solutions through a partnership between three European organisations.
The project focused primarily on:
• gaining an understanding of how vocational education is organised and managed in Poland, Portugal and Germany,
• exchanging experiences regarding local and regional education policy,
• analysing approaches to careers guidance,
• exploring the German dual education model,
• utilising modern promotion and communication tools in the VET sector.
Project activities
The project involved representatives of local authorities, management staff from educational institutions, careers advisers and staff from partner organisations. One of the activities was a study visit to Portugal focusing on the organisation and management of the vocational education system. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the approaches used by foreign partners and to compare them with experiences in Poland and Germany.
The next stage was an online training course entitled ‘Social Media for VET’, during which participants gained knowledge on building the image of vocational education and training and on using modern communication channels to promote vocational education.
Another key element of the project was a training course in Germany focusing on the functioning of the dual vocational education and training system. Participants were able to gain first-hand insight into the approaches that have for years been regarded as one of the cornerstones of effectively preparing young people for entry into the labour market.
Another key outcome of the project was a publication presenting innovative solutions in the vocational education and training systems of Germany, Portugal and Poland. In addition to the publication, a digital version of best practices in the partner countries regarding the promotion of vocational education and training and career guidance was also produced. These reports have been published on the project partners’ websites. These materials were prepared with a broad range of VET sector stakeholders in mind and serve as a practical source of knowledge for those responsible for the development of vocational education and training.
Outcomes and added value
The project resulted in the establishment of a lasting international partnership and a cooperation network bringing together representatives of institutions operating in the VET sector. Participants enhanced their competences in the areas of management, promotion and organisation of vocational education and training, and the knowledge gained provided significant support for the implementation of the Vocational Education and Training Strategy in Eastern Greater Poland.
A particular strength of the project was the increased internationalisation of both the partner institutions and the individuals taking part in the activities. The exchange of experiences enabled participants to view local challenges from a European perspective and to identify new opportunities for development.
The added value of the project lies in the joint career guidance lesson plans developed under the title ‘Green Professions of the Future’. The idea for these scenarios arose during a partners’ meeting in Berlin and resulted in the preparation of 45-minute sessions for pupils, focusing on the green economy, green professions and the green skills of the future. The aim of the scenarios was to raise young people’s awareness of the links between the labour market and environmental protection, and to support responsible educational and career choices. The sessions were held from September 2025 to June 2026 in Poland, Germany and Portugal. In the Konin region, advisers from CWRKDiZ in Konin delivered the sessions both in secondary schools and – following appropriate adaptation of the programme – in Years 7 and 8 of primary schools. As a result, the topic of green careers reached a wide audience of young people.
A partnership that endures
The #VETSTAGE project has confirmed that international cooperation in the field of vocational education is an effective tool for improving quality and supporting systemic change. Thanks to the partners’ joint efforts, it was possible not only to learn about good practices used in other countries, but also to forge lasting relationships that can form the basis for further European initiatives.
The experience gained during the project demonstrates that the development of vocational education and training requires partnership, openness to innovation and a willingness to learn from others. It is precisely this European cooperation that is now becoming one of the most important factors supporting the development of a modern VET system that meets the needs of the labour market.
