A Taste of Vocational Excellence: Global Guide to Skills Development

Knowledge on CoVEs #Publication

Vocational education plays a crucial role in preparing individuals for the modern workforce, equipping them with the skills needed to drive innovation and economic growth. However, achieving excellence in vocational training requires a thoughtful combination of policies, partnerships, and innovative teaching methods. The European Training Foundation (ETF) explores this concept in its latest publication, A Taste of Vocational Excellence: International Recipes for Skills Development, a unique cookbook presenting best practices from leading vocational institutions worldwide.

Much like in cooking, where the right blend of ingredients creates a perfect dish, vocational excellence is achieved by combining key elements such as strong governance, industry collaboration, innovative teaching methods, and sustainable funding. The cookbook presents 11 case studies from countries including Canada, Finland, France, Georgia, Italy, Moldova, Morocco, Singapore, Spain, Tunisia, and Türkiye, each demonstrating innovative approaches to training that align with local economic needs.

The publication categorizes vocational excellence into five main areas:

• Digital excellence, as seen in Tunisia’s CFA Bizerte, which integrates modern digital tools and entrepreneurship into its training programmes.
• Green excellence, such as Moldova’s Centre of Excellence in Construction, which focuses on sustainable building practices and renewable energy education.
• Entrepreneurial excellence, demonstrated by Morocco’s École Supérieure des Industries du Textile et de l’Habillement (ESITH), where students gain hands-on experience in business management alongside technical training.
• Innovative excellence, highlighted by Helsinki Business College in Finland, which incorporates applied research and digitalisation into its teaching approach.
• Inclusive excellence, demonstrated by Italy’s Cometa, a social enterprise supporting young people at risk of social exclusion and creating a personalised learning environment.

Each case study provides practical insights into what makes a CoVE successful. Whether it’s strong industry partnerships, curriculum alignment with labour market needs, or hands-on learning experiences, these institutions serve as great examples for the global vocational education community.

For educators, policymakers, and vocational training providers looking to improve their programmes, A Taste of Vocational Excellence could offer valuable inspiration and guidance. Explore the publication and learn how to create your own recipe for success in vocational education here: ETF CookBook.