Work-based learning is often described as a bridge between theory and practice. But if we’re being honest, it’s a bridge still under construction in many parts of Europe.
This was the starting point of the WBL Champions Project Partnership across Malta, Italy, Ireland, and Portugal. Over the past year, we’ve taken a deep dive into how Work-Based Learning (WBL) is being developed, integrated, and experienced in each of these four countries. The result is our newly published Overall Report which serves as a comparative analysis that offers both a mirror and a map: a reflection of where we stand and a set of signposts pointing forward.
So what did we learn?
Awareness ≠ Implementation
There is no shortage of WBL policies on paper. In fact, all four countries have legal frameworks and national strategies designed to support WBL. But what’s on paper doesn’t always translate to practice.
Across the board, there is a notable lack of awareness among stakeholders particularly among students and small businesses. Many simply don’t know what WBL is, where to find it, or how to engage with it meaningfully. In Malta and Portugal, for example, over 70% of stakeholders surveyed were unaware of the digital tools available to support WBL placements and tracking. These are tools that could simplify coordination, reduce admin burdens, and improve the student experience but they’re underused, or invisible.
The Engagement Challenge
One of the most consistent pain points across all four countries is employer engagement. The WBL Champions field research highlighted that while large institutions and public bodies often have the infrastructure to offer structured placements, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which make up the vast majority of Europe’s businesses, are still underrepresented in WBL schemes.
In Malta, for instance, 43.3% of respondents cited low employer involvement as a major challenge. Portugal showed similar trends. Without incentives, support, and clearer systems, many SMEs simply lack the capacity to host and mentor students, no matter how motivated they are.
And yet, these businesses are where some of the most relevant, hands-on learning can take place.
Quality Is Uneven but Best Practices Exist
Despite the gaps, there are strong examples of quality WBL happening across Europe. Ireland, for instance, has shown leadership in structured support for mentors and alignment between national strategy and local implementation. Portugal is advancing rapidly with the integration of WBL into its national digital transformation efforts. Italy’s legislative backing and large-scale apprenticeship models offer robust foundations though higher education integration remains limited.
Malta, through its national quality assurance framework and strong institutional actors like MFHEA, is making clear strides in formalising the WBL process. But it also faces some of the steepest challenges in stakeholder awareness and digital readiness.
The lesson here isn’t that one system is better than another but rather that its improvement depends on collaboration, cross-pollination, and the willingness to learn from what’s already working elsewhere.
From Report to Action
What the report makes clear is that Work-Based Learning works best when it’s everyone’s responsibility. When employers aren’t just recipients of talent, but active partners in shaping it. When academics aren’t working in silos, but co-designing courses with industry. And when students are given the tools, support, and confidence to step into workplaces not just as learners, but as contributors.
Among the report’s most urgent recommendations are the need to:
- Raise awareness of WBL policies and opportunities through national campaigns, workshops, and targeted outreach;
- Invest in digital platforms that make it easier to manage placements and measure impact;
- Support SMEs with incentives, guidance, and access to institutional support;
- Provide structured training for mentors (both in industry and in academia);
- And most importantly, to build a culture of shared responsibility for preparing learners for the real world.
Employers are struggling to find the right skills, students are navigating complex transitions into work, and education systems are under pressure to stay relevant. This means that WBL isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity nowadays.
Our report doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But it gives us a much clearer picture of where the pressure points are, where the bright spots shine, and how we might move from isolated efforts to coordinated progress.
Because if we want education to truly prepare people for what’s next, then learning cannot simply end at the classroom door.
Read the Full Report: https://wbl-champion.eu/res/Consolidated%20Report%20on%20National%20and%20EU%20WBL%20policies.pdf
September 4, 2025
