This joint Cedefop-ETF policy brief provides an overview of vocational education and training (VET) policy developments from 2021 to 2025 in the EU-27, Norway, Iceland and five candidate countries (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye). It highlights countries' activities to advance EU priorities in making national VET systems agile, flexible, excellent, attractive, inclusive and quality-assured, with selected examples illustrating progress across EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, and candidate countries. Findings from Cedefop and ETF monitoring and analysis point to key areas requiring continued efforts in the coming years, aligned with new European priorities: (1) coordinating and sustaining policy effort and resource allocation amid political change; (2) strengthening labour market involvement in VET and lifelong learning policies; (3) advancing digital and green transitions in VET; (4) boosting VET attractiveness and participation; (5) improving VET teacher and trainer competences; and (6) expanding lifelong learning opportunities for all.