Summary of the 5th Vocational Education Forum

The 5th Forum of the Vocational Education Europass and Euroguidance is now behind us!

This year’s edition was special – we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Europass programme, which has been supporting skills development, professional and educational mobility, as well as transparency and recognition of qualifications in Europe for two decades.

The forum was held under the title ‘From learning to the labour market: a new era of vocational education’. On 4-5 December 2025, we met in person at AMBEREXPO in Gdańsk and online, bringing together teachers, career counsellors, experts, as well as representatives of business and public institutions. These were two intense days of discussions on how to effectively combine education with the dynamically changing needs of the labour market.

 

What happened during the 5th Forum?

 

Day 1 of the 5th Forum of the Vocational Education | 4 December 2025

Inspiring debates and lectures

The first day of the Forum began with the official opening by Tomasz Krześniak, Deputy Director General of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) that set the tone for further discussions. Participants listened to an online keynote speech by Dr Renata Mieńkowska-Norkiene, Team Europe Direct, University of Warsaw, entitled ‘Europe of skills, from learning to the labour market’ and a motivational lecture by Prof. Piotr Mikiewicz, University of Lower Silesia DSW in Wrocław, who emphasised that, in essence, all education has a vocational dimension.

The central point of the programme was a debate entitled ‘Innovative vocational, industry-specific and higher education for the future of the European labour market’, moderated by Dr Katarzyna Olszewska, EVET expert, Academy of Applied Sciences in Elbląg.

Knowledge in practice – workshops

During numerous workshops, participants explored topics such as AI in counselling, the implementation of Europass micro-credentials, the role of teachers in the digital age, and the six stages of career development.

Day 2 of the 5th Forum of the Vocational Education | 5 December 2025

The second day of the Forum was officially opened by Konrad Romaniuk, Coordinator of the National Europass and Euroguidance Centre and EVET at FRSE, who introduced participants to the importance of international experience in building a career path. The agenda for this day was devoted to educational and professional mobility in the Erasmus+ programme and discovering how international internships and digital competences really support entry into the labour market.

The programme included a presentation entitled ‘Vocational education without borders: how do international internships pave the way for career development?’ by the Erasmus+ Vocational Education and Training Sector (FRSE), led by Michał Pachocki – Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Vocational Education and Training Team at the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), and featuring Daria Szczepankiewicz and Kamil Orzechowski – EuroApprentices from EuroApprentices Poland, who shared practical examples representing the perspective of internship participants.

The second day of the Forum was complemented by an online presentation entitled ‘Integrating AI and emerging technologies in VET teaching and learning’ led by Dr Boglárka Fekete, National Expert Team for Vocational Education and Training from Hungary.

The programme also included a tour of WorldSkills Poland and the EDU VET EXPO 2025 Fair.

The third edition of the ‘Your Euroguidance – counselling that works’ contest

As part of the 5th Forum of Vocational Education, an awards gala took place and was officially opened and hosted by Katarzyna Tulkis-Błesnowska, Deputy Director of the Office for Vocational Education, Youth and the European Solidarity Corps Programmes, Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE).

The Europass and Euroguidance Ambassadors rounded off the event with their personal reflections on the award-winning works and this year’s categories, emphasising their diversity and real impact on career guidance practice.

We would like to extend our special congratulations to the winners of the third edition of the contest for career guidance practitioners! Selecting the winners was a challenge, and the number of applications exceeded our expectations, which clearly demonstrates the strength of the community in Poland committed to professional development and guidance.

Publication premiere

During the Forum, we also presented the latest publication by the National Europass and Euroguidance Centre, ‘Mentoring and Tutoring 2.0’ – an answer to the question how to combine relationships, development and technology in vocational education. In addition, we presented a new edition of the publication ‘Directions for the development of vocational education and training’, which adds value in the discussion on the future of vocational education and the challenges and trends shaping its development.

We would like to thank all participants, speakers and panellists for their presence, energy and invaluable contributions in creating of a space for dialogue and inspiration.

See you at the next edition!

Were you unable to attend the 5th Vocational Education Forum? Watch the replay and be inspired!

Why is it worth watching the replay?

  • You will gain practical tips and knowledge from experts who shared their experience in key areas of vocational, industry and higher education.

  • Inspiring speeches and discussions with leaders from the education and professional sectors.

  • You will discoverunique projects and innovative solutions that have a real impact on the development of vocational education in Poland and Europe.

Video materials

4 December

5 December