Israel
In line with the EU-Israel political agenda, the European Training Foundation contributes to reinforcing the links with the European Union by encouraging the country's participation to EU programmes and expert communities via EU-funded instruments. We also provide policy advice to the Israeli authorities in their setting-up of the Israeli National Qualifications Framework (Israel was included in the 2019 edition of the Global inventory of regional and national qualifications frameworks). In addition, we continue to work with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Committee, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Labour Branch and their related institutions, research institutions and skills-related public and private sector partners.
Priorities for the TVET reform and international cooperation in education and training, for example, networking with Israeli centres and platforms of vocational excellence and reinforcing qualifications and involvement of the private sector, are key issues.
Read our 2024 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (ETF, 2024). For a quick overview, see below:
2024 highlights at a glance
🌎 Geopolitical context: Israel’s political instability in recent years has been driven by several factors including repeated elections, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a controversial judicial overhaul that sparked widespread protests. In October 2023, the situation was further compounded by the impact of the Hamas attack which deeply affected the economy and social cohesion;
🎓 Education and training – a substantial 21% increase in the education budget compared to 2022 aims to improve both quality and equality. Key initiatives include funding daycare centres to support working parents, providing financial aid for technology-related studies, and raising starting salaries for teachers. Despite growing labour market demands for new skills, participation in lifelong learning has declined. To address this, the new 2030 Educational Plan focuses on expanding alternative and blended learning approaches and accelerating the digitalisation of education;
👩🎓 Qualifications and recognition: the adoption of Israel’s National Qualifications Framework (INQF) is still pending. The framework aims to standardise the recognition of qualifications across all educational and vocational pathways, a crucial step toward enhancing workforce skills. The Ministries of Education and Labour oversee curricula, examinations, and qualifications and are working to strengthen employer engagement in identifying the skills needed in the labour market;
📈 PISA scores and trends: PISA results showed improved performance in reading and science compared to previous assessments, although there was a slight decline in mathematics. Significant disparities persist between students from high- and low-socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as between ultra-Orthodox Jewish / Arab-Israeli children and their peers;
🏫 Vocational education and training (VET): while there is no dedicated strategic framework for VET and adult learning, the VET Department has made progress in strengthening employer participation through vocational committees, expanding on-the-job training opportunities, and increasing enrolment among targeted learner groups. However, more attention is needed to reform training programmes to better address skills mismatches in the labour market;
💼 The labour market: Israel’s dual economy is marked by a contrast between highly competitive industries – particularly in the technology sector – and low-productivity, low-wage sectors that employ the majority of the population. Following the Hamas attack, military conscription and the temporary closure of several sectors caused unemployment to surge to 20.2% but returned to more normal levels of 5% by mid-2024. Employment rates among Arab and Haredi populations have increased, though cultural and educational norms continue to limit their full participation in the labour market. Engagement in online platform work remains low across the country.
🤝 Inclusivity and outreach: funding for underrepresented groups, including Arab women and Haredi men, has increased alongside the development of tailored employment programmes aimed at boosting workforce participation by 2030. Public employment services have increased cooperation with other entities in the areas of vocational training and career guidance.