Students of VET colleges obtain a ‘double qualification’: they graduate with both the ‘Reifeprüfung’ certificate which grants general access to HE, and a VET diploma that allows them access to specific regulated professions and senior professional activities. VET colleges are often said to help reduce social inequalities, thus promoting social progression. VET colleges provide a pathway towards HE and are attributed an important role in mitigating the social inequality generated by lower secondary education in Austria. Approximately 50 percent of VET college graduates pursue further education. They typically enroll HE courses in a field related to their previous education and training but accreditation of prior learning is only granted to a very limited extent. This case study takes into account results from ongoing EU projects (BeTWIN II, EQUAL-CLASS) and explores the following questions: How and to what extent can VET colleges help to promote social progression? What are the challenges for a qualification offered at the interface between VET and HE? What are the currently discussed options regarding improved methods of valuing and recognising the professional experience of VET college graduates in HE?