VET systems are central to providing the practical and technical skills required for climate neutrality and digital transformation. However, persistent labour and skills shortages in VET occupations threaten EU competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth.

This policy brief analyses the key drivers of VET shortages across the EU, including an ageing workforce, unattractive working conditions, gender segregation, limited teacher supply, and outdated curricula that struggle to keep pace with green and digital demands. It supports policy discussions linked to the Union of Skills (2025), the Herning Declaration (2025) on VET priorities for 2026 -2030, the forthcoming European VET strategy (2026), and the proposed Quality Jobs Act.

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