High quality vocational education and training (VET) relevant to labour market needs is a policy priority for the European Union (EU). The economic slowdown has led to worryingly high levels of unemployment and underemployment particularly among young people. Skills, qualifications and employability are central to Europe's economic recovery. Improving employment prospects for young people and adults through better VET is central to Cedefop's work which focuses on supporting reform of VET systems, empowerment of individuals and understanding better skill demand and supply on the labour market. This Briefing Note describes the results of a recent evaluation of Cedefop's role in supporting European VET policy-makers and the shaping of their 2014 work programme.