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opportunities Why should employers support VET providers and work-based learning?

The benefits of WBL for the VET community are well known, still there is less
research focusing on why employers should support WBL. While some
employers recognise the added value of WBL, others do not, which suggests that
more needs to be done to demonstrate these benefits. According to our poll of

experts, any VET-business cooperation undoubtedly produces the following
benefits for the employers:

▪ Recruitment strategy – it is widely consensual that WBL provide
employers with the opportunity to identify potential new talent or to
know well future employees prior to hiring them, contributing to
implement a HR matching system

▪ Staff development – WBL drives career development, in that staff
members may be provided with the opportunity to mentor a less

experienced team member; this will bring additional benefits related with
staff motivation and well-being
▪ Skills anticipation and matching – by participating in WBL programmes,
businesses can embrace own talent development strategies by giving

their current employees opportunities to upskill and reskill, ensuring that
the competences are aligned with their specific industry and market
needs

▪ Action towards Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8 – the 2030
Agenda is demanding all businesses to contribute, and WBL contributes
to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong
learning opportunities for all (goal 4) and promote sustained, inclusive,

and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and
decent work for all (goal 8)

▪ Corporate responsibility – through WBL employers can strengthen the
regional workforce and local business climate, ‘giving back’ to their
industry and community
▪ Technologic development – WBL provides access to new thinking,

research, ideas, and technology, encouraging companies to incorporate
innovation and new processes

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