In light of the changing education landscape, vocational education and training (VET) institutions are urgently required to improve their digital readiness for blended and remote learning settings. This paper analyses three case studies that demonstrate how vocational education and training (VET) institutions are addressing this problem by enhancing their own capacities and equipping their students with the necessary skills for self-directed and motivated learning in blended learning environments.

The initial case study examines the implementation of a thorough digital transformation strategy at a VET school in Portugal. This involved investing in strong IT infrastructure, delivering extensive teacher training on educational technologies, and enabling students to play a more active part in their learning by utilising adaptive platforms and personalised feedback mechanisms. The findings indicate substantial enhancements in student engagement, self-directed learning abilities, and overall academic achievement.

The second case study showcases the endeavours of a vocational education and training (VET) institution in Romania, with a specific emphasis on fostering a culture of digital innovation among both the teaching staff and the students. The school successfully enhanced student engagement and autonomy by implementing gamification approaches, flipped classroom models, and virtual collaboration tools. Participants' qualitative evaluation suggests increased levels of confidence, inventiveness, and problem-solving skills.

The last case study investigates how a vocational education and training (VET) school in Spain utilised blended learning methods to more effectively cater to the requirements of its varied student body. By strategically combining online classes, virtual simulations, and face-to-face mentorship, the institution successfully offered more adaptable and customised learning paths. Consequently, this resulted in enhanced rates of retaining students and a more effective matching of student abilities with the requirements of the business.

These case studies provide significant insights into the tactics, problems, and outcomes of improving digital readiness in the VET sector. The results emphasise the need of a comprehensive, learner-focused strategy that takes into account both technical and pedagogical factors. Vocational education and training (VET) schools may enhance the preparation of future skilled professionals for success in an increasingly digital environment by connecting the institutional capacities with learner autonomy.

Keywords: Vocational Education and Training (VET), digital readiness, blended learning, student autonomy, student motivation, hybrid environments.