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POLAND
Warsaw Enterprise Institute (WEI)
wei.org.pl/en/about-us/
The vocational education system (VET) in Poland is based on solid legal pillars. No great legislative
revolution is needed to improve its condition. Punctual but decisive actions aimed at solving
precisely diagnosed problems of VET will suffice. Taking corrective action is certainly a major
challenge, as these mostly relate not so much to the formal and procedural sphere, but to the
organisation and generation of good practice.
WEI presented recommendations concerning changes in VET:
- Strengthening the effectiveness of the reform of the VET system, among others through the
involvement of parents, who should be subjected to vocational pedagogy
- The introduction of a system of VET guidance allowing a diagnosis of strengths, weaknesses
and predispositions of a student, and consequently the choice of an appropriate career path
- Creation of distribution channels of information about professional education paths, potential
stages of higher education and the labour market in the region
- Introduction of mechanisms of cooperation between entrepreneurs and VET schools at a local
level, improving the quality of education and the situation of youngsters in the labour market
- Acquisition by vocational counsellors and teachers of vocational subjects of practical
supplementary training, based on best practices and with the participation of entrepreneurs
- Launching a system of subsidies covering textbooks for VET
- Establishment of a system adjusting the type of schools and majors conducted in each region
to the actual regional labour market needs

Ministry of Education and Science
www.gov.pl/web/edukacja-i-nauka/szkolnictwo-branzowe
As of 2019, many changes have been introduced in VET to get education closer to the labour market
and better respond to the needs of employers.
As reported by the Polish Ministry of Education, since 2019, around 1.5 million students have
started learning in secondary schools – general lyceums, technical secondary schools, vocational
schools, and preparatory schools for work – and the implementation of new core curricula has
begun. In all first classes of schools providing VET the new classification of occupations in industry
education applies.
Companies have now greater influence over VET and can deduct donations made to such schools.
It was also introduced compulsory cooperation between schools and employers, through a contract
or agreement. Another novelty is student internships with employers. These are counted as part of
the period of employment, and the employer may include the benefits paid to the student in tax
deductible costs.
Experts in the report "The labour market through the eyes of employers" also emphasise that the
current condition of the Polish labour market is affected by the waves of economic emigration of
blue-collar workers, the demographic crisis and the increase of professionally inactive people and
finally the mismatch between VET education and the real needs of enterprises. In the coming years,
there it is expected a shortage of about 3-4 million workers on the Polish market, and by 2050, this
number may increase even to 10 million. Actions aimed at filling the labour shortage are needed
now, as it will take a few years for its effects.

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