Most of the countries that have well-developed vocational education and training systems have lower than average youth unemployment, according to a report released by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training.

Malta fell into this category, along with Denmark, Germany, Austria, and the UK.

The report found that the reform of training systems under the voluntary European framework for cooperation in training, known as the Copenhagen process, improved training in Europe.

However, the full benefits of the changes made still need to be felt by people and enterprises.

Since 2010, all countries have been actively reforming their vocational education and training systems, following objectives set out in the Bruges communiqué.

Even countries with strong training systems, such as Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Malta, Austria, Finland and the UK, adapted existing and introduced new measures since 2010.

Others such as Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Poland and Romania, have improved their systems and made up ground over the period.

According to the report, the main changes in training since 2010 made by European countries were systemic improvements, namely legislative or policy changes to adapt existing or introduce new programmes, pathways and qualifications improving training quality and attracting more young people into training have also been high on many national agendas.

Helped by these changes, the EU is on track to reach its target of an average early school-leaving rate of 10 per cent or less by 2020 and participation in training by low-skilled people and other at-risk groups is rising.

However, overall participation of adults in lifelong learning has not developed as well as hoped. Most countries have still to reach the EU’s target of 15 per cent adult participation in lifelong learning by 2020.

Concerns remain over securing funding for training. Employers and social partners need to work more closely with education authorities.

Basic skills still need to be improved and teachers and trainers themselves need more learning opportunities, it said.