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MET-VET – Metacognition for
Environmental Thinking in VET
Project number:
2021-2-PL01-KA220-VET-000050783

Italy is taking significant steps to make its VET systems aligned with the green and digital transitions.
The VET system is including green skills into its training programs, focusing on renewable energy,
energy efficiency, sustainable construction and waste management, training learners to work in fields
related to sustainability. The Ministry of Education, for instance, has promoted the “Green Jobs
Project” aimed at including environmental education into VET curricula, at promoting careers in the
green sector and raising awareness on environmental issues among learners. For what concerns
digitalization, it is a pivotal aspect of Italy's transition towards a sustainable economy. Italian VET
centers and schools are integrating digital skills into the curricula to develop learners’ competences
and make them able to work in digital-related sectors. The “Piano Nazionale Scuola Digitale” (National
Digital School Plan) is a policy document from the Italian Ministry of Education drawn up in 2015 aimed
at launching an overall innovation strategy for Italian schools and for a new positioning of its
educational system in the digital age. Especially after Covid-19 pandemic, VET centers use platforms
such as Moodle and Google Classroom to deliver digital literacy courses, covering programming, data
analysis, and the use of digital tools in various sectors. Practical learning is also promoted: many VET
centers are equipped with modern facilities allowing learners to work with modern technologies in a
controlled environment. Furthermore, various VET centers partner with local businesses on projects
focusing on sustainable development, offering students real-world experience in applying green
technologies and practices. Italy’s VET system offers various lifelong learning opportunities to help
individuals update their skills and stay competitive in the job market. These include short courses,
workshops, and online training programs focused on green and digital skills. Finally, initiatives such as
the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (PNRR) include significant investments in modernizing
VET infrastructure and curricula to support the green and digital transitions.

Estonia has an advanced digital infrastructure, is very committed to sustainability and it is leveraging
its VET system to drive the green and digital transitions. Estonia’s VET system is increasingly including
green skills into its VET training programs, focusing on sustainable practices and technologies.
Estonian Environmental Education Program is aimed at integrating environmental education into VET
curricula. The Tallinn Polytechnic School includes in its training offer, courses in renewable energy
technologies (e.g.: solar and wind power) and cooperates with enterprises to provide learners with
practical experiences. Digitalization is a cornerstone of Estonia's economic strategy, and VET centers
are integral to this transition. They provide comprehensive digital skills training, from basic digital
literacy to advanced ICT competencies. Many Estonian vocational schools offer programs that
integrate digital skills training with traditional VET subjects, ensuring learners are well-prepared for a
digitalized workforce. Estonia has invested in the development of schools’ local internet connections,
purchasing devices for teachers, supporting the creation of digital learning materials and advancement
of teachers’ digital skills. Those investments into infrastructure and ecosystem laid ground also for a
quick switch into the remote learning model during the first days of the COVID19 crisis. Estonian VET
centres maintain strong partnerships with enterprises (including ‘green companies’) to guarantee that
their programs are aligned with current market needs. For instance, the Estonian Association of
Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL) works with VET institutions to design programs
that meet the evolving needs of the tech industry.

Spain is actively leveraging its VET system to support the green and digital transitions. The Spanish
government and other institutions have put in place many initiatives to integrate sustainability and
digitalization into VET programs, ensuring that learners acquire the skills needed to work in the green
and digital sectors. The Spanish Ministry of Education has integrated modules focused on sustainability
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not
necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither
the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.