We aimed to identify and understand the barriers to inclusion and diversity in vocational education and training (VET) schools, particularly for students with fewer opportunities. By developing a question framework and applying it across five partner VET schools in Europe, we gathered direct feedback from students. This helped both the schools and the project gain actionable insights and improve our practices to foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
We applied for this project to address the persistent barriers to inclusion and diversity (ID) in vocational education and training (VET) schools, particularly affecting students with fewer opportunities. There was a clear need to better understand these challenges from the students’ perspective and to develop practical tools that schools could use to identify and overcome them. Our goal was to build capacity among participating partners and to create a validated set of survey questions that could be used across different educational contexts. By leveraging technology through micro-surveys, we aimed to collect large-scale, actionable data that would inform more inclusive practices. The project also responded to the need for professional development and knowledge-sharing among VET institutions, which we supported through a white paper and a webinar. Ultimately, the project addressed the need for evidence-based approaches to foster inclusive and equitable learning environments in vocational education across Europe and beyond.