Attractiveness of the teaching profession in VET: Panel discussion with VET stakeholders

Psifidou, Irene; European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)

doi:10.5281/zenodo.15601523

Attractiveness of the teaching profession in VET: Panel discussion with VET stakeholders

Psifidou, Irene; European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)

Publisher: Zenodo
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15601523
Repository: zenodo.org
Language: en

Abstract

Conference presentation from the event Shaping learning and skills for Europe: Cedefop 50th anniversary conference (27/05/2025, Brussels) Through experts’ insights and interactive discussion, participants will dive into Cedefop’s work and how it contributes to the development of the Union’s policy.Cedefop’s Skills Intelligence will take centre stage, as a vital tool for informing policy and supporting effective vocational training and skills development systems that equip learners and organisations with relevant competences. Related landing page: Cedefop50 Cedefop related projects: Anticipating and matching skills Changing nature and role of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe European skills and jobs survey (ESJS) European skills index Future of VET Monitoring and analysing VET policies in Europe Skills and jobs for the green transition Teachers’ and trainers’ professional development VET systems in Europe

Full text

Attractiveness of the teaching profession in VET Panel discussion with VET stakeholders Brussels I 27.5.2025Cedefop anniversary event Irene Psifidou, Expert, VET4Youth - Teachers & Trainers Team Facilitator (ORCID 0000-0002-5728-7730) Teacher shortages: an EU-wide fact 2 Dramatic increase in some countries and in remote and disadvantage areas Vary across subjects and sectors: severe in STEM, foreign languages, informatics Lack of qualified teachers across EU - associated with a decline in student performance High in EU policy agenda Source: Unesco, 2024; E&T monitor, 2023 and 2024; EENEE-NESET Analytical Report, 1/2023;Cedefop, 2022 An ageing teaching force Accelerated teacher absenteeism & turnover Higher demand for specific skills Lack of attractiveness to the teaching profession 1 2 3 4 3 What causes teacher shortages? Rethinking teaching careers COMPLEXITY OF TEACHING PROFESSION Not fully prepared at early career stages Limited CPD and career advancement opportunities CHALLENGING WORKING ENVIRONMENTS High workloads & stress Overcrowded classrooms Harassment and violence Source: Cedefop pilot survey of VET teachers, 2022, Cedefop ESJS2, 2021 4 Teaching is not a first career choice As a result… Only for 67% of teachers, teaching was their primary career choice In some countries, few graduates from teacher training programmes take a job in a school VET teachers: more likely to be looking for another job Source: Unesco, 2024; OECD, 2021 based on TALIS 2018 5 Making teaching careers attractive 6 Improve societal appreciation of teachers Only 17.7% of teachers across EU countries believe that their profession is valued 1 Source: Unesco, 2024; E&T monitor, 2023 and Cedefop, 2022 Making teaching careers attractive 7 Raise salaries 2 Source: E&T monitor, 2024 and OECD, 2021 Only 40% of VET teachers on average are satisfied with their salary 10.5% lower compared to tertiary-educated workers Making teaching careers attractive 8 Increase job and career stability 3 VET teachers are more likely to have a temporary contract than general education teachers Source: OECD, 2021, Cedefop pilot survey of VET teachers, 2022 www.cedefop.europa.eu Follow us on social media Thank you Images licence © adobe.stock.com https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15601523