Toolbox Library

The VET Compass Toolbox Library supports VET teachers, trainers, staff and leaders to strengthen the transversal skills that help learners succeed in vocational education, work-based learning and employment.

It brings together a collection of practical, high-quality resources for continuous professional development across the VET sector, focused on the skills teachers and trainers need to create inclusive, engaging and workplace-relevant learning experiences. The full library will hold over 50 resources organised around 10 key transversal skills identified through the VET Compass research process — a mix of best-practice case studies, open educational resources, and practical tools and curricula.

Tool

Tailored guidance and mentoring

Reference Library: Mentoring, Guidance, Self-Awareness and Teacher Development in VET

Open Educational Resource

Cultural literacy and diversity awareness

Cultural Literacy and Diversity Awareness — VET Teacher Training Module

Open Educational Resource

Digital and numeracy competence

European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu)

Open Educational Resource

Inclusive and learner-centred teaching

Inclusion in TVET: a practical guide for formal, non-formal and informal TVET institutions

Tool

Industry engagement, careers guidance and work-based learning

EAfA Toolkits – European Alliance for Apprenticeships

Tool

Industry engagement, careers guidance and work-based learning

PCTO – INDIRE (Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e Ricerca Educativa)

Tool

Industry engagement, careers guidance and work-based learning

Work-based Learning and Simulations

Tool

Industry engagement, careers guidance and work-based learning

Guide “Work Based Learning – Your Opportunity”

Tool

Industry engagement, careers guidance and work-based learning

Engaging Employers in Apprenticeship Opportunities Making It Happen Locally

Tool

Leadership and initiative

Asana

Tool

Leadership and initiative

Leadership Lesson Plan

Case Study

Leadership and initiative

Step Up in the Workshop: Building Leadership and Initiative on a Vehicle Mechanics Apprenticeship in County Limerick

Case Study

Leadership and initiative

Taking the Lead: Developing Leadership and Initiative in a VET Retail and Business Studies Programme in County Cork

Tool

Adaptability and resilience

Mural

Tool

Adaptability and resilience

Flip

Case Study

Adaptability and resilience

Staying Steady When Plans Change: Building Adaptability in Hospitality VET in County Kerry

Case Study

Adaptability and resilience

Adapting Under Pressure: A Construction Training Scenario in County Leitrim

Tool

Learning to learn and self-reflection

Learning to Learn Tool 2

Tool

Learning to learn and self-reflection

Learning to Learn Tool 1

Case Study

Learning to learn and self-reflection

Using learning journals and guided debrief prompts to strengthen learning-to-learn in vet learners

Case Study

Learning to learn and self-reflection

Embedding reflective practice and learning-to-learn strategies in vocational education through structured reflection cycles

Tool

Cultural literacy and diversity awareness

UNESCO Intercultural Competence Framework

Tool

Cultural literacy and diversity awareness

Padlet

Case Study

Cultural literacy and diversity awareness

InclusionToC – Theory of Change for the Inclusion of Women Migrants in VET

Case Study

Cultural literacy and diversity awareness

INTERMOVE for Trainers – Specialized Intercultural and Linguistic Preparation

Tool

Digital and numeracy competence

Google Sheets

Tool

Digital and numeracy competence

ChatGPT

Case Study

Digital and numeracy competence

Using Spreadsheets for Applied Numeracy in UK Vocational Training

Case Study

Digital and numeracy competence

Blended Learning and Digital Tools in Finnish Vocational Education

Tool

Motivational and relational communication

Wooclap

Tool

Motivational and relational communication

Miro

Case Study

Motivational and relational communication

Building Bridges in the Classroom: Motivational and Relational Communication in a VET Childcare Programme in County Galway

Case Study

Motivational and relational communication

Finding the Words: Strengthening Trainer-Learner Communication on a VET Electrical Apprenticeship Programme in Dublin

Tool

Problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy

Root Cause Analysis

Tool

Problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy

Six Thinking Hats

Case Study

Problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy

Pre-mortem Analysis

Case Study

Problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy

The Two-Mode Method — Teaching Problem-Solving Through Focused and Diffuse Thinking

Tool

Tailored guidance and mentoring

Critical Friends (Mentoring)

Tool

Tailored guidance and mentoring

Angle Table Top Game (Mentoring)

Case Study

Tailored guidance and mentoring

The Scandinavian Study Circle (Studiecirkel) as a Model for Peer-Led Mentoring in VET

Case Study

Tailored guidance and mentoring

Finland. The 2018 VET Reform practical teaching practices for guidance and mentoring

Open Educational Resource

Industry engagement, careers guidance and work-based learning

Module 10 — Industry Engagement, Careers Guidance and Work-Based Learning Collaboration

Open Educational Resource

Leadership and initiative

Module 9 — Leadership and Initiative in VET

Open Educational Resource

Adaptability and resilience

Module 8 — Adaptability and Resilience

Open Educational Resource

Learning to learn and self-reflection

Module 7 — Learning to Learn and Self-Reflection

Open Educational Resource

Cultural literacy and diversity awareness

Module 6 — Cultural Literacy and Diversity Awareness

Open Educational Resource

Digital and numeracy competence

Module 5 — Digital and Numeracy Competence

Open Educational Resource

Motivational and relational communication

Module 4 — Motivational and Relational Communication

Open Educational Resource

Problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy

Module 3 — Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking and Literacy

Open Educational Resource

Tailored guidance and mentoring

Module 2 — Tailored Guidance and Mentoring

Open Educational Resource

Inclusive and learner-centred teaching

Module 1 — Inclusive & Learner-Centred Teaching

The VET Compass open learning module for Skill 1: a ready-to-use presentation that helps VET teachers and trainers build their understanding of inclusive, learner-centred teaching and apply it in practice.

Case Study

Inclusive and learner-centred teaching

École de la 2e Chance — E2C (France)

A French network of second-chance schools offering individualised, full-time programmes that combine basic-skills revision, personalised coaching and company work placements to bring young people aged 16–25 back into education, training or employment.

Case Study

Inclusive and learner-centred teaching

Youthreach (Ireland)

A government-funded, full-time programme delivered through Ireland’s Education and Training Boards, offering individualised, inclusive pathways that re-engage early school leavers aged 15–20 with learning, qualifications and employment.

Tool

Inclusive and learner-centred teaching

Mentimeter

A browser-based tool that turns frontal teaching into a participatory experience through live polls, quizzes, word clouds and Q&A — learners join with a code, no account needed, in person or online.

Tool

Inclusive and learner-centred teaching

SCAFFOLD

A portable deck of 102 cards that guides educators step by step through designing inclusive learning activities — from defining the setting and learners to choosing methods, competences and assessment.

Case Studies — real-world examples of how VET institutions and trainers have supported transversal-skill development.
Open Educational Resources — freely accessible materials and short modules for building understanding of each skill area.
Tools — ready-to-use templates, activities and assessment exercises, adaptable for different VET contexts.