The European Commission has published the results of the Special Eurobarometer survey "Attractiveness of Vocational Education and Training", providing the first comprehensive overview of how Europeans perceive the attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET). The survey reveals that most Europeans associate VET with developing skills relevant to the labour market and delivering high-quality learning, while also highlighting persistent stereotypes and image-related challenges.
According to the survey:
- 85% of Europeans agree that VET provides practical and technical skills relevant to the labour market.
- 73% believe that VET offers high-quality learning, delivered by competent teachers (79%) and supported by modern infrastructure (78%).
- The attractiveness of vocational education and training is further enhanced by opportunities to progress to higher education (67%) and to participate in international mobility programmes (64%).
- Half of respondents would recommend vocational education and training to young people choosing their upper secondary education pathway, making VET the most frequently recommended option across the European Union.
However, the survey also highlights areas where further progress is needed:
- Three-quarters of respondents believe that general education has a more positive image than vocational education and training in their country.
- Half of respondents believe that VET programmes do not sufficiently develop basic skills, such as literacy and digital literacy, or transversal skills such as communication and critical thinking.
- 71% agree that gender stereotypes continue to influence educational choices, with girls being more often encouraged to choose general education rather than technical fields.
In addition to the full report, the European Commission has also published country fact sheets and infographics in both English and the respective national languages.
How do Lithuanians view VET?
Vocational education and training is also viewed positively in Lithuania. 76% of respondents believe that VET has a positive image in the country, while 45% would recommend vocational education and training to young people choosing their upper secondary education pathway (compared with 43% who would recommend general education).
Furthermore:
- 89% of respondents agree that vocational education and training provides the technical skills required for specific occupations.
- 81% positively assess the competence of VET teachers and the quality of training infrastructure.
- 75% believe that VET offers high-quality learning.
Nevertheless, similar challenges remain in Lithuania. 78% of respondents believe that general education has a more positive image than VET in Lithuania, while 73% agree that girls are more often encouraged to choose general education, even if they are interested in technical or practical fields.
The full survey report, country fact sheets and infographics are available on the European Commission's website:
https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3367
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