Improving VET Learner and Teacher Wellbeing

Improving VET Learner and Teacher Wellbeing

In June 2026, CEDEFOP released the publication “Policy approaches to improve VET learner and teacher wellbeing” delving into how teachers and learners deal with pressures related to mental health, safety and digital wellbeing, within others.

The publication includes the following findings:

• Wellbeing boosts results: students who report feeling happy score 50–62 points higher in PISA reading tests.
• Positive school climate and belonging are also associated with better results and lower dropout risk.
• 60% of VET teachers across 23 Member States report physical exhaustion and sleep disturbances, 42% feel emotionally drained (European Vocational Teacher Survey (ESVT)).
• VET teacher wellbeing is affected by expanding roles beyond just teaching, increasing workload and administrative burden, diverse learner needs and digitalisation pressure.
• National initiatives tend to address specific wellbeing aspects rather than offering coherent and comprehensive strategies.
• There is strong focus on learner wellbeing in some countries, especially in safety, belonging, mental health, and guidance for transitions.
• Welbeing is essential for learners’ participation, persistence, and success.
• Teacher wellbeing receives less attention, but the awareness of these concerns is growing.
• Welbeing is important for teachers’ performance, retention, and capacity to address the evolving demands.

Publication “Policy approaches to improve VET learner and teacher wellbeing” available here.