Member of the European Parliament Brigitte van den Berg presented on June 23^rd, 2026, her own initiative report ‘Boosting Skills in the Union – opportunities for vocational education and training in times of transition’ in the Social Committee of the Parliament. With this report, that gives recommendations for the upcoming EU Strategy on Vocational Education and Training, she asks attention for the recognition of the value of vocational training (VET) in society, the improvement of VET and relevance through increased investments and the recognition of the mobility of students and workers within the EU. Vocational education and training is a priority topic for ELCA. That is why we have presented our sectoral needs to Brigitte van den Berg.

Secretary-General Egbert Roozen: “One of the biggest challenges for our landscape garden companies is organizing the workforce. That is not only the case for now, but we expect that this challenge remains in the future. Our sector is a vital sector for the green transition. With our green and nature-based solutions, we contribute to a better climate, biodiversity and public health. We need to work together with vocational training organizations to attract new students and to offer vocational education and lifelong learning programs for skilling, reskilling and upskilling of our landscape garden professionals. We have explained our ambition for a European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence for landscape gardening and our partnership in the European Alliance for Apprenticeships to MEP Brigitte van den Berg. We welcome her initiative report, because it aligns with our efforts to support vocational training for our sector throughout Europe and to address the future labour market needs for our landscape garden companies.”

The European Parliament will vote on the report of Brigitte van den Berg in September. If adopted, the report will be sent to the European Commission as recommendation for the new EU Strategy on Vocational Education and Training. This strategy is expected in the third quarter of 2026. We will keep you updated.