Erasmus+ and VET Strategy: Education Social Dialogue Highlights Key Priorities
The European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee in Education working group met on 16 April to discuss key EU policy developments affecting education systems and education staff. Exchanges with the European Commission focused notably on the future Erasmus+ programme, vocational education and training (VET), and long‑term EU funding priorities.
Discussions on Erasmus+ 2028-2034 underlined ETUCE’s call for stronger recognition of education social partners in the programme’s governance, including their involvement in the Erasmus+ Committee. ETUCE also highlighted concerns related to teacher mobility activities organised during summer periods, the insufficient acknowledgement of teacher shortages, and the need for increased support for VET learners and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Together with EFEE, ETUCE reiterated the importance of balanced funding across education sectors and explored the possibility of joint advocacy to ensure education remains a central EU investment priority.
On the upcoming European VET Strategy, ETUCE stressed that improving the attractiveness of VET requires not only better access to training and employment, but also quality jobs with fair working conditions and salaries. It underlined the need to strengthen the evidence base, clarify implementation at national level, and ensure coherence with existing initiatives.
Delegates also adopted new joint ETUCE-EFEE guidelines on the inclusion of learners with special needs and agreed to develop a joint action plan on institutional autonomy and academic freedom, while launching initial discussions on priorities for the next ESSDE Work Programme.
