The SEE-VET project aimed to achieve three key objectives: 1. Support VET students by equipping their trainers with tools to successfully engage with students, influenced by societal challenges like, for example, pandemic or war, so they can complete their training. 2. Empower teachers to better understand and support students by enhancing own social-emotional skills. 3. Make VET education more responsive and flexible by aligning it with current social processes. These objectives were aimed to be pursued through the development of practical social and emotional education (SEE) online course with hands-on tools for VET trainers to integrate SEE into their teaching process. This aligns with the SEE-VET project’s application and reflects its broader mission: to build inclusive, adaptable VET systems that prepare teachers and students for the complexities of quickly changing modern society.
The SEE-VET project was initiated during the pandemic to address critical gaps in vocational education and training (VET). The pandemic unfairly affected disadvantaged students, creating a pressing need for teachers to develop social-emotional skills to better support them. Social-emotional education (SEE) became essential for fostering resilience, empathy, and self-awareness in education. This need not only persisted but grew during the project. Global crises like the war in Ukraine added new challenges for students and educators, reinforcing the importance of SEE. Research confirms that these skills remain vital as societal changes continually influence education systems. Teachers must understand and support their students effectively in an evolving world. This relevance is supported by the “Education and Training Monitor 2024” by the European Commission, which emphasizes the growing demand for transversal skills like resilience and emotional intelligence. During SEE-VET 49 focus group participants helped refine the methodology, and the piloting phase directly engaged 30 VET professionals. By addressing both immediate and long-term challenges, SEE-VET has a high potential for sustainable impact aligned with European priorities