This presentation will explore the integration of sustainability and environmental education within the context of Vocational Education and Training (VET). In line with the theme "Charting the Way Forward: Education, Research, Potentials and Perspectives," I will examine how VET can contribute to sustainable development by equipping learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to address various challenges related to sustainability.

The paper draws primarily on research conducted among students, teachers, and trainers involved in various aspects of environmental and sustainability education in Danish VET programs. This research consisted mostly of interviews, supported by brief periods of participant observation in class or during training sessions. The paper further includes insights from an integrative literature review of international empirical research on environmental and sustainability education among VET practitioners in various contexts, published between 1999 and 2024.

Drawing on research on environmental and sustainability education in the Danish VET system and an extensive international literature review, I will discuss the potential benefits of incorporating sustainability into VET programs. My primary focus will be on systems organized according to a dual system principle that combines school training with a firm-based approach. I will also highlight the challenges and pitfalls associated with this integration, such as the need for updated training materials, potential resistance from different stakeholders, and the alignment of sustainability goals with industry demands. Through an analysis of students’, teachers’, and trainers’ experiences of environmental and sustainability education in Danish VET programs, I will present key findings and discuss how VET institutions can overcome barriers to effectively integrate environmental and sustainability education and how these efforts can contribute to broader societal and environmental transformations. Overall, this presentation aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on how educational research can support the development of VET systems that not only enhance individual learning and well-being but also promote social and environmental sustainability.

Ebsen, M. and Rieland, S. R., (under review) Transformative learning in environmental and sustainability education in vocational education and training: An integrative review (1999-2024). Journal of Environmental Education. Ebsen, M., Hjermov, P., Rieland, S. R., Bisgaard, J., & Christensen, L. C. (2024). Elevengagerende klimaundervisning og -oplæring i erhvervsuddannelserne: Erfaringer fra skoler og lærepladser. Københavns Professionshøjskole. Persson Thunqvist, Daniel; Gustavsson, Maria; Halvarsson Lundqvist, Agneta (2023) The role of VET in a green transition of industry: a literature review. International journal for research in vocational education and training 10(3): 361-382