Policy Transformations and Institutional Interventions Regarding VET in an Employment-oriented European Union

During the last two decades the international socioeconomic circumstances have changed dramatically. The European Union has engaged in an effort to achieve socioeconomic adjustments in an attempt to confront the changes in the international environment, especially the persisting financial crisis. Many European Union policies were reoriented due to the socioeconomic transformations; among others, greater emphasis was given to the promotion of an innovative spirit in Vocational Education and Training (VET). This paper aims at discussing the main legislative interventions and institutional tools through which the European Union pursues the reorganisation of VET systems in terms of operation and quality. The importance of these initiatives is strongly related to the ability of the member states to ignite development actions and economic growth. The paper also attempts to assess the aspirational character and the prospects of success of such policy initiatives to increase the opportunities of European citizens for educational and employment mobility. These EU interventions aspire to increase the opportunities of Europeans to be educated or trained, to develop their competences, to broaden their knowledge and creative spirit by accessing multiple educational environments, to take advantage of professional opportunities in the common European area. In the long-run this will serve to invigorate the economic potential of the European economy and contribute not only to the European integration, but also to the confrontation of social turmoil.