EARLALL Meets Vestland Higher Vocational College to Explore European Cooperation in Lifelong Learning
13/11/2026
On 13 November, EARLALL met with representatives of Vestland Higher Vocational College, an institution owned by Vestland County Council (Norway), at the premises of the Vestland region in Brussels. The meeting provided an opportunity to introduce EARLALL’s activities, highlight its longstanding cooperation with Vestland County, an active member of the network, and explore opportunities for further collaboration in vocational education and training (VET), skills development and lifelong learning.
Connecting European Regions Through Lifelong Learning
During the meeting, the EARLALL Secretariat presented the association’s mission, strategic priorities and activities, reflecting on 25 years of European regional cooperation in lifelong learning.
Established in 2001, EARLALL brings together regional and local authorities committed to strengthening lifelong learning policies and practices. Through its four thematic Working Groups, capacity-building activities, policy engagement and European projects, the network supports knowledge exchange and practical cooperation between regions.
The presentation highlighted EARLALL’s role in connecting regional priorities with European policy developments, particularly in the context of the Union of Skills and the Pact for Skills. It also showcased opportunities for members and their educational institutions to participate in peer-learning activities, study visits and transnational partnerships.
Building on Cooperation with Vestland County
As an active EARLALL member, Vestland County has contributed to several network activities, sharing its regional experience in education, skills development and innovation.
The meeting highlighted examples of this cooperation, including Vestland’s contributions to discussions on the blue economy and clean energy skills, as well as exchanges on regional approaches to vocational education and training.
Looking ahead, Vestland will also contribute to EARLALL’s upcoming General Assembly, taking place on 2–4 December 2026 in Gothenburg and Borås, Sweden, under the theme “From Basic Skills to STEM”. The programme will feature regional initiatives addressing STEM education and future skills needs, including an example from Vestland.
Exploring Opportunities for Further Engagement
The exchange also introduced opportunities for Vestland Higher Vocational College to engage with EARLALL’s European network through thematic webinars, capacity-building sessions, mobility initiatives and collaborative projects.
Particular attention was given to the importance of connecting education providers with regional skills ecosystems and facilitating exchanges of practices across European regions.
The meeting reaffirmed the value of cooperation between regional authorities and education institutions in addressing shared challenges, including skills shortages, technological transformation and the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling.
EARLALL looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with Vestland County and fostering further connections with its vocational education and training institutions across Europe.