Vocational education and training (VET) in transition

Annex A. Supplementary tables

Table A A.1. Modular VET across countries

	Short description	Example of modules in green areas	Challenges
Australia	Units of competency are used across all VET qualifications. Units can be issued individually or in groups as “skill sets”, leading to a statement of attainment rather than a full qualification.	A range of new Clean Energy Skillsets are in the process of being incorporated across relevant qualifications within the Electrotechnology training product suite. For example, the new Certificate IV in Renewable Energy will include skill sets aligned to Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems, Standalone Renewable Energy Systems, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, and the Inspection of Renewable Energy Systems.	There are broad challenges in training capacity and availability, as well asinfrastructure. Contributing factors to this include a shortage of educators, specialised training infrastructure (such as poles and conductors), Registered Training Organsiations delivering training (including TAFEs), amongst other factors.
Belgium Flanders	Since 2017, partial qualifications have been available in secondary education. 76 partial qualifications are currently available. Since 1999, adult education is modularised		Limited labour market coverage, Conversion of modules into training
Canada New Brunswick	Training modules can be embedded into existing apprenticeship training.	Training module for Electric Vehicles embedded into apprenticeship Automotive Service Technicians, available since 2024. Green Building training available in conjunction with carpentry apprenticeship training	Integration into existing programmes: Ensuring that new training modules are introduced at appropriate points within the apprenticeship curriculum and align with existing training standards. Participant reach: Ensuring that the training reaches a sufficient number of apprentices and qualified tradespeople.
Canada Nova Scotia	In 2023 a Microcredential Innovation Initiative was launched to encourage post-secondary and training partners to collaborate with industry to develop new microcredentials for apprenticeships that meet labour market needs	Microcredentials such as Climate Literacy for Construction, Electric Vehicle Safe Service and Maintenance, and courses related to clean technology and solar
Canada (federal government)	There are upgrading programmes that support post-certification learning – typically targeted to workers who possess a full trade qualification.	Available in areas of green technology, such as Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (for certified Electricians), EV repair upgrading (for certified Automotive Service Technicians) and Heat Pump Installation (for certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics),
Switzerland	VET qualifications are not modular. Training is developed by sectoral professional bodies. It can be recognised within formal qualifications, but it is not automatic
Croatia	Modularisation was introduced in 2022 together with the voucher system 207 different partial qualifications are available (77 for digital skills, 46 for green skills, and 84 for general skills). Nearly 10 000 users have completed their education (February 29, 2024), and over 6 000 adult learners are currently enrolled in the voucher system. Available across all levels Most voucher applicants are job seekers		Ensuring these partial qualifications meet the educational standards Integrating these units into existing qualification frameworks while maintaining the quality and labour market value of qualifications. Addressing employer preference for traditional qualifications over partial qualifications
Estonia	In development. Partial qualifications available at some institutions
Finland	All VET qualifications are built from units. 5% of total student VET population in 2010 and 14% in 2020 were enrolled in individual modules	Shorter qualification composed of one or a few units available in electric vehicle maintenance and log construction	Recognition among employers and learners – often prefer full qualifications, Availability across VET institutions
France	All VET qualifications are built from units. Mainly for adults. Can also serve young who missed an exam in the first place
Greece	Available in higher VET
Ireland	Various initiatives have promoted the development of micro-credentials for the green transition since 2020. Total enrollment in courses in Green skills for life in 2023 – 1 413. Since courses (by NZEB/Retrofit) in the construction sector began in 2020, the number of enrolments has continued to increase steadily, rising from 793 in 2021, to 2 034 in 2022, and a record 4 452 in 2023.	Available in the following areas: Developing Green Skills for Life, including the expansion of green skills training and awareness across learners and staff. Developing Green Skills for Construction, including training and upskilling those in construction in the latest green technologies. Developing Green Skills for Careers, to create career opportunities in the green economy for the employed, unemployed and those within vulnerable sectors
Latvia	Modular VET available since 2022, through changes in the legislation. For adult learners		Involvement of sectoral organisations to provide input
Lithuania	Modular VET available since 2017, through changes in the legislation. 2020 – 400 students chose to gain competences through modules. 2021 – 786 students. 2022 – 1 390 students. 2023 – 1 642 students.		Low popularity among students: students in general upper-secondary education are not interested in topping up their education with VET modules Enrolment among adult learners depends on the funding provided
Luxembourg	VET qualifications are not modularised by law Training initiated by professional bodies can be recognised towards formal qualifications. Examples of such training: small supplementary certifications In 2015 competence centres (“Centres de Compétences” - CDC) were launched by the Federation of Craftsmen (“Fédération des Artisans”) in construction, engineering and building completion work (GTB-PAR). 47 422 participants 2016-2023	Training in relation to energy efficiency, decarbonisation, electromobility, sustainable development	As of now, small supplementary certifications are not yet stackable to full qualifications, whereas learners increasingly take shorter, modular training.
Netherlands	Partial government-recognised certificates at upper-secondary level Mainly for adults		Organisational challenge for institutions
Norway	Modularised higher VET since 2021. 101 partial qualifications (shorter than 30 study credits) were available in 2020, and 260 studies in 2022. This is an increase of 158%. In upper-secondary vocational education, 15 curricula have been modularised so far, mainly for adult learners.		Organising the admission through the year – cannot use the national admission service. At upper-secondary level: better co‑ordination with adult basic education would be beneficial, some participants struggle with the academic content
New Zealand	443 micro-credentials in 2024. Mostly at ISCED levels 3 and 4. They range from introductory courses for school leavers, to courses upskilling for those already working in the trades.	Engineering and Related Technologies Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies.
Portugal	Available Since 2020
Slovak Republic	Under development
Spain	Available since 2022 across all VET qualifications. Available to youth and adults.	Safety and Environment, Energy-based vehicles and new equipment, Mandatory cross-cutting module on sustainability in intermediate and higher VET.
Sweden	Since 2011, Initial VET (i.e. upper-secondary VET-education, which is also delivered to adults in municipal adult education) is modular. All adult education is considered as modular. However, youth are encouraged to take all courses In higher VET: Besides the one to two-year timeframe for HVE programmes (which number in their hundreds), a total of 222 shorter courses or course packages were conducted in 2022, compared to 164 in 2020. Most often courses are 5-10 weeks long.

Source: OECD, (2024[4]), VET and the green transition. Background questionnaire (unpublished).

Note: The questionnaire used for data collection is reproduced in Annex B; responses are not included.

Table A A.2. Sustainability skills in VET programmes

	How are they provided?
Country/Region	Integrated into other subjects	Provided as separate subject
Belgium (Flanders)	✓
Belgium (Francophone)	✓
Canada (New Brunswick)	✓	✓
Canada (Nova Scotia)	✓
Canada (Quebec)	✓
Canada (general)	✓
Costa Rica	✓
Croatia	✓	✓
Czechia	✓	✓
Estonia	✓	✓
Finland	✓	✓
France	✓	✓
Germany	✓
Ireland	✓	✓
Italy	✓
Latvia	✓
Lithuania	✓
Luxembourg	✓
Norway1	✓	✓
Romania		✓
Slovak Republic	✓	✓
Slovenia	✓
Spain	✓	✓
Sweden	✓
Switzerland	✓

1. In IVET sustainability skills are integrated, and in CVET it is optional and separate subjects.

Note: The questionnaire used for data collection is reproduced in Annex B; responses are not included.

Source: OECD (2024[4]), VET and the green transition. Background questionnaire (unpublished).