Project Overview

VETprep is an innovative project aimed at investigating the educational trajectories and life courses of young people in vocational education and training (VET) across Europe. Our mission is to provide new insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by VET students, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to develop strategies for improving VET policies and practices.
Over the course of 36 months, the VETprep consortium will employ a multi-method approach combining document analysis, register analysis, longitudinal surveys, qualitative interviews, observations, and co-creation workshops. The project brings together researchers from six European countries, combining multidisciplinary expertise in education, sociology, and youth studies.


Key project activities include:
Mapping educational VET systems within and across Europe through document analysis
Analyzing pre- and post-COVID-19 youth cohorts’ transitions to and outcomes of VET using register data
Conducting longitudinal surveys of representative national samples of VET students
Carrying out qualitative interviews with strategically selected students to highlight their voices and experiences
Observing students in VET schools to contextualize interview findings
Facilitating co-creation workshops with diverse stakeholders to improve future VET policies and strategies

VETprep will generate impactful results, including a comprehensive understanding of the educational trajectories and life courses of VET students, enabling policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders to develop more effective and equitable VET systems. Ultimately, VETprep aims to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of VET across Europe.
The project seeks to engage a broad range of target audiences, including young people in VET, researchers, teachers, counselors, politicians, and representatives from private and public businesses. Project findings will be shared through academic publications, policy briefs, and co-creation seminars, among other actions, but the partners are happy to interact directly
VETprep is funded by the European Research Executive Agency under the Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No. 101177858. The project runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.

Main objectives
Explore and compare national and international VET-related policies, mentoring and support systems, internships, etc.
Observe VET transition patterns and outcomes across nations and pre-/post COVID19
Identify current youth cohorts’ educational experiences, agency, and aspirations related to VET
Track down and explain current vulnerabilities among European students transitioning to VET education.
Recommend strategies to qualify national VET programs across European countries