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A teacher sitting in his home desk, looking at his computer screen which says "Sustainability seminar"
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Sustainable Teaching, On Demand: VET Schools Empowering Educators Digitally

This best practice involves VET schools offering asynchronous online training courses to upskill their teaching staff in sustainability. Educators can access self-paced modules on topics such as energy efficiency, green skills, and circular economy, allowing flexible learning that fits their schedules. The approach empowers teachers to integrate sustainability into their vocational subjects and lead by example.

Key People and Partners Involved

  • Teaching staff
  • Administrative staff

Description of the practice

To implement asynchronous sustainability training, VET schools can develop or adopt digital learning platforms offering flexible, self-paced modules for their teaching staff. These courses typically cover key sustainability themes relevant to vocational disciplines"such as circular economy, energy efficiency, low-carbon technologies, and waste reduction. As the modules are online and accessible at any time, they allow teachers to engage with the content around their schedules, reducing barriers to participation and fostering continuous professional development.

Through this training, educators build confidence and competence in integrating green principles into their subject areas, whether it's sustainable construction techniques, eco-conscious hospitality practices, or environmentally responsible fashion design. The courses often include real-world examples, downloadable teaching materials, and assessments to reinforce understanding. By equipping VET teachers with both knowledge and ready-to-use tools, the training ensures sustainability becomes a core component of vocational education, rather than a peripheral topic.

The impact of this best practice extends beyond the classroom. As teachers incorporate sustainability into workshops, labs, and theory lessons, students gain valuable green skills aligned with labor market needs and EU policy priorities. It also strengthens the environmental identity of VET schools, contributes to whole-institution sustainability approaches, and supports long-term climate and education goals under the European Green Deal.

Where it’s being implemented

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource.

Impact and Results

  • Enhanced Teacher Expertise: Educators develop a strong foundation in green principles and gain confidence in teaching these topics.
  • Curriculum Enrichment: Sustainability becomes integrated across vocational subjects, resulting in practical assignments, assessments, and workshops focused on real-world applications.
  • Student Skill Development: Learners acquire industry-relevant green competencies, preparing them for roles in sustainable workplaces and boosting employability.
  • Institutional Culture Shift: The school embeds sustainability into its mission and operations, fostering a shared commitment among staff and reinforcing its green identity.
  • Scalable, Cost-Effective Training: Online modules are reusable and accessible anytime, allowing schools to train teachers efficiently without scheduling or geographic constraints.

Implementation Tips and Insights

  • Start with a Pilot Group: Test the course with a small group of teachers, gather feedback, and refine the content before scaling to the whole staff.
  • Align with Vocational Contexts: Ensure that the training is tailored to each vocational field (e.g. green building for construction, food waste reduction for hospitality) to make it relevant and applicable.
  • Offer certificates, digital badges, or recognition during staff meetings to motivate teachers and highlight their professional growth.
  • Make the training part of the school's official continuing professional development strategy to ensure long-term commitment and institutional support

Useful Links and Resources

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource. This is a cource which outlines step-by-step methods for delivering asynchronous sustainability training to vocational teachers, including course design, learner engagement, and assessment strategies.
https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/learn/courses/explore-empower-shape-future-integrating-sustainability-competences-vocational-education-and-training