A European Commission staff working document published on 10 July 2026 reports that the EU has met its 60% target for work-based learning exposure among recent vocational education and training (VET) graduates, but remains far from achieving mobility goals. The document, accompanying a report to the Council on the implementation of the 2020 Council Recommendation on VET for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, draws on national implementation plans and data up to 2025.
The EU average share of recent VET graduates (aged 20-34) exposed to work-based learning reached 66.0% in 2025, exceeding the 60% target. The employment rate of recent VET graduates stood at 80.2%, close to the 82% target. However, the VET mobility rate—graduates who studied or trained abroad—was only 5.3% in 2023, far below the 8% target for 2025. A new 12% target for 2030 was set by the 2024 'Europe on the Move' Council Recommendation.
Wide disparities persist across Member States. The Netherlands (95.4%), France (93.2%) and Germany (93.0%) far exceed the work-based learning target, while Romania (9.1%), Czechia (15.2%) and Italy (22.0%) remain well below. All EU Member States except Czechia and Ireland prepared National Implementation Plans. The report is based on about 450 policy developments reported by ReferNet between 2020 and 2025, Cedefop interviews, and EU-level actions including the European Alliance for Apprenticeships and Erasmus+ Centres of Vocational Excellence.
The Commission's findings highlight trade-offs between national autonomy and EU-level coordination. The work-based learning target has been met largely due to strong performance in a few large economies, while lagging countries face structural barriers such as limited employer engagement and outdated training infrastructure. The mobility target remains elusive, partly due to administrative hurdles and lack of language support. The new 12% target for 2030 may require additional EU funding or regulatory incentives to close the gap.
Stakeholders most affected include VET providers and students, who benefit from improved employability but face uneven access to mobility opportunities. Employers in high-performing countries gain a skilled workforce, while those in low-performing countries may struggle with skills shortages. National authorities bear the cost of implementing reforms, particularly in countries with low work-based learning rates. The European Commission and Cedefop will continue monitoring progress, with the next implementation report expected by 2028.