In the Communication on the Union of Skills, the European Commission announced in March 2025 a European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET), planned for 2026. The aim of this Strategy is to increase the attractiveness, excellence and inclusiveness of VET, which also aligns with the recently adopted Council recommendation on human capital where Member States are encouraged to boost the quality and attractiveness of VET.
The construction sector, as one of the sectors that require vocational qualifications and at the same time faces a persistent shortage of labour and skills, is directly affected by these developments. The ageing of the workforce, as well as the difficulty in attracting young people, makes the immediate strengthening of VET necessary. At the same time, the green and digital transition, along with the challenges arising from the housing crisis, increase the need for new skills.
In this context, FIEC welcomes a European Strategy to strengthen VET and underlines that it should focus on four key priorities:
- Attractiveness
- Modernisation
- Investments
- Mobility
You can read FIEC’s position in detail here