Why investing in teachers and trainers is essential for skills, learning and workforce development
World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of teachers and trainers and to reflect on the support they need to thrive in a changing world.
As digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the green transition reshape economies and labour markets, the role of educators is becoming increasingly complex, teachers and trainers are among the most important agents of change. They support young people and adults throughout their learning journeys, helping them acquire the skills needed for work, participation in society and lifelong learning
Across its partner countries, the ETF has learned that investing in teacher and trainer professional development is one of the most effective ways to improve learning outcomes, strengthen education systems and prepare societies for change.
Key takeaways
Teachers and trainers guide learners throughout their lifelong learning journey
- Teacher professional development is essential for education quality and inclusion.
- Digital transformation and AI are changing the demand for educators’ professional competences.
- Continuous learning helps attract, retain and recognise the critical role of teachers and trainers.
- Collaboration, mentoring and professional communities of educators support effective teaching.
Why does teacher and trainer professional development matter?
The skills of teachers and trainers directly influence the skills of learners. Strong education and training systems depend on recruiting talented professionals, but also on helping them continuously develop their competences throughout their careers.
Professional development is an important factor in making teaching, training, mentorship, coaching more attractive professions. Opportunities for learning, career development and professional growth can help retain experienced educators and support those entering the profession. This is important as many education and training systems face teacher and trainer shortages and increasingly rely on newly qualified or second-career professionals.
What’s more, professional development supports educators in adapting to new technologies, responding to diverse learner needs and preparing learners for changing labour market realities. It also helps strengthen inclusion and improve the quality of teaching and learning, something that can help support long-term education and training system improvement.
As technology, economies and societies continue to evolve, supporting the development of teachers and trainers has never been more important.
ETF research confirms these challenges. In its Listening to Vocational Teachers and Principals study, based on the views of more than 10,000 vocational teachers and 750 school principals across nine partner countries, teachers highlighted the importance of continuous professional development to keep pace with changing skills needs, new technologies and evolving labour market demands.
How is the role of teachers and trainers changing?
Teaching and training are becoming increasingly complex professions.
Teachers and trainers today work with learners from different educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. They support learners with diverse needs and help people navigate transitions between education, training and employment.
Supporting such diverse learning journeys requires a wide range of professional competences that must be developed and strengthened over time.
At the same time, digital technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming how peoplelive, learn, teach and work. Educators are expected not only to use technology effectively but also to help learners develop the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
These changes mean that professional learning can no longer be viewed as something that happens only at the beginning of a career. It must become a continuous process of growth and adaptation.
Through initiatives such as the ETF New Learning Club on Teaching with Artificial Intelligence, educators are exploring how AI can support teaching and learning while developing the skills needed for its effective and responsible use
What competences do teachers and trainers need today?
Teachers and trainers need a broad mix of competences that goes beyond subject expertise. From digital technologies to inclusive teaching practices, professional development helps educators respond to the realities of modern education and training. The following competences are gradually becoming critical for educators:
Digital and AI competences
Educators need the ability to use digital technologies confidently, integrate them into teaching and learning, and make informed decisions about the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Even beyond the use of technology in teaching, educators increasingly need to understand how digital tools and artificial intelligence can personalise learning, support assessment and reduce administrative workload, allowing more time to focus on teaching and professional development.
The ETF's Digital Competence of Teachers Dashboard provides evidence on teachers' self-perceived digital competences across ETF partner countries, while SELFIE for Teachers supports educators in reflecting on and developing their digital skills
Skills for the future of work
Particularly in vocational education and training, teachers and trainers need to understand technological innovation, evolving occupational standards and the impact of the green transition on jobs and skills.
Inclusive and learner-centred approaches
Teachers increasingly work with diverse groups of learners. Professional development can help them create learning environments where all learners can succeed.
Industry-relevant expertise
Keeping technical and professional knowledge up to date is particularly important in sectors experiencing rapid technological change.
Collaboration and leadership
Teachers and trainers contribute to innovation, curriculum development and institutional improvement. Professional development should support these wider roles. The ETF’s Community of Innovative Educators provides a platform for sharing such leadership.
Classroom and learning-environment management
Teachers and trainers need the skills to create safe, engaging and productive learning environments. Effective classroom, workshop and digital or hybrid learning-environment management helps support learner participation, wellbeing and achievement across increasingly diverse learning settings.
How should professional development be organised?
Professional development is most effective when it is continuous, practical, focused and connected to professional practice and supported through mentoring, collaboration and peer learning.
Successful approaches often include:
- Career-long, personalised learning strategies rather than occasional training events.
- Mentoring and induction programmes for new teachers and trainers.
- Peer learning and support by professional communities.
- Opportunities to combine pedagogy with workplace and industry experience.
- Flexible learning offer, including online and blended formats.
- Feedback and teacher self-reflection that support educators’ learner agency and continuous improvement.
- Making time for professional learning by reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and making effective use of digital technologies.
Professional learning should be accessible, relevant and embedded in the professional lives of educators.
How does the ETF support teachers and trainers?
Across partner countries, the ETF supports teacher and trainer professional development by working with policymakers, educators and professional communities to strengthen education and training systems. A central part of this work is the Community of New Learning (CNL), an initiative that explores how teaching, learning and educator roles are evolving in response to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, changing labour markets and wider societal change.
Through the Community of New Learning, teachers and trainers can access practical resources that promote innovative, learner-centred and future-oriented education. These include:
- Scaffold Card Deck: A tool for educators designed to stimulate teaching innovation that helps them design innovative learning paths, integrate key competences into any time of curricula or learning programme.
- READY Model: An interactive tool professional development framework aimed at helping educators self-assess and build modern readiness in evolving digital and social landscapes.
- FormA Toolkit: A specialised toolkit dedicated to formative assessment, giving teachers actionable methods to develop the learner agency, ability of learners to reflect on their own progress in real-time and collaborate with teachers for better learning outcomes .
- Teacher Booster Videos: Professional learning videos for teachers that offer actionable pedagogical insights and new approaches to the development of key competences of learners.
The ETF also provides opportunities for peer learning and professional exchange through the CNL online community on ETF Open Space. Educators can share innovative teaching practices, collaborate with peers, discover new approaches to classroom and workplace learning, and contribute evidence, research and experiences from across ETF partner countries.
By connecting educators, tools, resources and professional networks, the Community of New Learning helps teachers and trainers develop the skills, competences and confidence needed to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world.
Supporting teachers and strengthening skills
Teachers and trainers are central to the development of skills, innovation and opportunity.
As countries respond to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, demographic change and the green transition, the need for continuous professional development of teachers will only increase.
Investing in teachers and trainers means investing in better learning, stronger skills systems and more inclusive societies. On World Teachers' Day, it is worth recognising not only the contribution educators make every day, but also the importance of supporting their own learning and development throughout their careers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is teacher professional development important?
Teacher professional development helps educators update their knowledge and skills throughout their careers, enabling them to respond to changing learner needs, new technologies and evolving labour market requirements.
What skills do teachers need for the future?
Key areas include digital and AI competences, inclusive teaching approaches, pedagogical and assessment skills, social and emotional intelligence, classroom and learning-environment management, future-of-work awareness (digital and green transitions), industry and occupational expertise, industry-relevant expertise, collaboration skills, lifelong learning and adaptability, and an understanding of future skills needs.
How can education systems support teachers more effectively?
Education systems can support teachers through continuous professional development, mentoring, peer learning opportunities, flexible training pathways and reduced administrative burdens.
Why are digital skills important for teachers and trainers?
Digital skills help educators use technology effectively, enhance learning experiences, support personalised learning and prepare learners for a digital economy,
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