A handbook for managers, educators, program designers, researchers and trainers in the vocational education and training (VET) sector
VET Design Thinking Manual 2.0
Welcome to the VET Design Thinking Manual 2.0, a comprehensive resource developed as part of the Erasmus+ Project KA220-VET: “Design Thinking for Quality VET Education Matching Labour Market Needs – VETdesign.”
This manual provides a human-centered approach to designing and managing vocational education and training (VET) programs, fostering innovation, adaptability, and relevance to meet labor market demands and learner needs. It targets VET actors, equipping them with the tools to modernize and enhance their training programs.
Unleash the power of design thinking in VET
Explore how a human-centered, creative approach can transform vocational education. Whether you’re shaping policy, designing curricula, or leading innovation, discover practical tools, methods, and inspiration tailored to your role.
VET Program Managers
Empower your VET programs with practical tools to align training with real labor market needs.
VET Educators & Trainers
Revitalize your teaching with innovative, learner-centered methods using Design Thinking and EDUCkathons.
Policymakers & Researchers
Discover evidence-based strategies and European best practices to drive impactful VET reforms.
VET Community Innovators
Enhance the relevance and attractiveness of VET through Design Thinking principles and collaborative innovation.
Quality VET Education Matching Labour Market Needs
The manual outlines the five steps of Design Thinking: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. It provides detailed explanations of each step, including their objectives, expected outcomes, common challenges, and strategies to overcome them. It also includes real-world case studies from various countries and sectors, illustrating the application and impact of Design Thinking in solving educational and organizational problems.
It offers practical approaches and activities for VET professionals to implement the five steps, along with a list of digital tools.
Key Features
Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and rapid prototyping. By applying Design Thinking to VET, we can:
Detailed Framework
Explore the five steps of Design Thinking: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, with objectives, requirements, and features of each step.
Practical Approaches
Discover various activities and methods to implement each Design Thinking step in your projects, driving innovation and inclusivity.
Real-World Examples
Learn from case studies illustrating how Design Thinking transforms project management and educational change processes in various countries and sectors.
Digital Tools
Find an inventory of digital tools to support the Design Thinking process and facilitate online collaboration.
Open the VET Design Thinking Manual 2.0 or download for free
© 2024–2026 [Design Thinking for Quality VET Education Matching Labour Market Needs – VETdesign Project].
The document is under a CC license (BY SA): “This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License”.
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