A Union of Skills to Equip People for a Competitive Europe
Today marks a significant milestone in the European Commission’s commitment to strengthening human capital and boosting competitiveness: the launch of the Union of Skills. As a priority in the first 100 days of this Commission, this essential strategy provides individuals across Europe with the necessary tools, supporting their personal growth and workplace development.
Why a Union of Skills?
Europe faces challenges such as a shrinking working-age population, skills shortages, and slow education and training system transformation. Nearly half of young Europeans lack basic digital skills, and SMEs struggle to find skilled workers. The Union of Skills addresses these issues, ensuring people and companies thrive as job requirements change.
What Will the Union of Skills Bring?
The Union of Skills introduces a comprehensive approach to enhancing human capital across the EU, through several key initiatives and actions:
Building a Solid Foundation Through Education and Training: Launching the Basic Skills Support Scheme will ensure young people gain strong literacy, math, science, and digital skills. The STEM Education Strategic Plan will promote STEM careers and attract more girls and women. Upcoming initiatives include a 2030 roadmap for digital education access and an EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda to address teaching shortages and improve working conditions and career prospects. A new EU Vocational Education and Training Strategy will enhance training in high-demand sectors and foster a future-oriented higher education system.
Regular Upskilling and Reskilling as the New Norm: Promoting continuous skills development, this includes expanding micro-credentials and strengthening the Pact for Skills to upskill and reskill workers in strategic sectors, ensuring competitiveness in the labour market. The implementation of Individual Learning Accounts (ILA) will further support this initiative by empowering individuals to manage their learning pathways.
Helping the Free Movement of Skilled People: The Skills Portability Initiative will aid in recognizing and accepting skills and qualifications across the EU. The initiative will enhance European degrees and develop a new VET diploma, strengthening Universities Alliances and Vocational Excellence Centres while piloting European School Alliances to boost skills mobility.
A Strong New Governance: The European Skills Intelligence Observatory will offer the insights needed for effective governance. Chaired by the European Commission, and advised by the European Skills High-Level Board, it will coordinate efforts among stakeholders to strengthen human capital across the EU.
The Union of Skills demonstrates Europe's commitment to boosting competitiveness, building human capital, and enabling the free movement of knowledge and talent.As Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Roxana Mînzatu, noted: "The Union of Skills is our strategy to help people stay ahead in a rapidly changing world and keep Europe competitive and fair. We, in Europe, put people first because the success of every person in learning, at work and in life is essential for competitiveness and for a stable and resilient Union."
