For the Nordics to truly become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world, we must find the drivers, motivations and solutions that can futureproof Vocational Education and Training (VET). VET plays a crucial role in delivering skills to the green transition and giving young people relevant skills for the future. This is why the Think Tank Monday Morning has partnered with the Danish National Center for Vocational Education and Training (NCE) on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers to carry out the project Futureproofing VET in the Nordics.  

Set to run from 2023-2025, the project will mobilize youth in the Nordic region to take part in the debate on and develop solutions for getting youth to choose and complete VET while linking this issue to youth well-being and marginalization. This we do through a series of Nordic Youth Relays held across the Nordics countries in which we include and give voice to young people. Ultimately, we aim to build a bridge between the youth voices and the broader political dialogue about how to solve the challenges facing VET in the Nordics. 

We will also identify and describe best practice cases on VET upskilling programs for the green transition and invite policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to take part in study tours and spread knowledge of good solutions already existing.  

The insights and knowledge gained from the Nordic Youth Relays, best practice cases and from the study tours will be presented in a final summary report, pointing to ways in which we can futureproof VET in the Nordics. 

Background 

The world is changing at an unprecedented pace and intensity. Climate and environmental changes, demographic development and digitization and automation forces us to rethink how we ensure the prosperity, cohesion, and sustainability of our societies. A vital part of the needed shift concerns the education and training of the workforce set to face the challenges that these changes present.  

Nordic labor markets are palpably impacted by these global changes and crises. The region is projected to face a severe shortage of skilled workers in the coming years, particularly in industries crucial for the green transition. At the same time a large share of young people in the region are experiencing marginalization and are not in education or training.  

VET is at the crux of the necessary transformation. Yet, the future of VET faces complex challenges, including negative social discourses, inadequate investment, and lacking attractive school environments, resulting in low student recruitment and completion rates. Challenges that, if addressed properly, can accelerate the green transition and increase youth inclusion.  

Too often we look at these challenges from an outside point of view, from experts, institutional leaders, and policymakers, and only include youth voices as an appendix. Instead, we must put the next generation of Nordic citizens and workers front and center and create an arena for inspiring cross-border dialogue.