In this new episode of Make It Work, Euronews travelled to Denmark to explore how vocational education and training equips students with the skills they need for their future careers.  

'I’ve always been creative and practical with my hands and then I thought I want to learn a trade. Then glazier popped up and it looked really interesting' says Robert Holmquist, a student at the Northwest Zealand Vocational and Upper Secondary Education Centre (NEG). According to Asger Lysgaard Maarup, who is also a student at NEG, 'it’s good we start pushing more for the green energy and for the environment. It’s a big part of our job and it’s going to change how we work.'

The demand for skilled workers is greater than ever. Vocational education and training centres across the EU are leading the way preparing students to drive Europe’s changing economy. Between 2021 and 2027, the EU is investing more than €150 billion in education and skills, with a strong focus on vocational education and training. 

The episode includes an interview with Mia Just Struckmann Bertelsen, project consultant and teacher at the ESF+ funded NEG project, who explains that 'the main goal of the project is to recruit, to get more young people into vocational education.'  

Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, took it a step further and looked at those workers who already have received vocational education or training: 'For the average person, what is important is that they can travel with their diploma degree, throughout Member States, wherever the industry or the job is better suited to what they are skilled for.' 

The EU is also working to get more vocational students involved in international programmes like Erasmus+, and to close the gender gap that still affects many trades.  

Watch the full episode online, and don't hesitate to spread the word on social media!