Chapter 2 – Promoting Inclusive VET Education Through Student Unions

Student unions in VET systems play a crucial role in supporting inclusive VET education.

First, inclusivity within student unions themselves is key. Both learner representatives and student support staff must create inclusive spaces for engagement. Diverse student unions make learner participation more meaningful, reflecting the complexity of the learner population in their involvement with the VET system. This helps develop VET systems better suited to students’ needs, making them feel heard, understood, and acknowledged for their unique backgrounds and challenges, and more motivated to engage in activities.

Second, by voicing diverse student needs, student unions can actively promote inclusive education in VET through advocacy activities aimed at:

• collecting and articulating the concerns of students with disabilities, different cultural backgrounds, and varying learning needs;
• highlighting the importance of psychosocial support and learner-based teaching methods to engage all students, especially those at risk of early leaving (Kyriakopoulou 2023);
• implementing non-discrimination policies and practices in admissions, curriculum design, and assessment methods; and
• increasing funding and support for accommodations, accessibility improvements, assistive technologies, and support services that enable all students to fully participate in VET programmes (Learning for Justice 2024).

In this way, student organisations can shape relevant policies, ensuring that student perspectives are considered in developing inclusive education strategies.

Student unions bridge the gap between learners and VET institutions, advocating for student needs. Through awareness campaigns, workshops, and cultural events, they promote inclusivity, encourage diversity, and foster mutual understanding.

Student unions collaborate with institutional leadership to shape inclusive policies, ensuring accessible learning materials, diverse curricula, and necessary accommodations. By gathering student feedback and facilitating open dialogue, they help identify challenges and drive meaningful improvements in inclusivity.