The Board was set up in May 2026 to advise the Commission on bridging gaps between business, education and training providers on current and future skills-related challenges and opportunities. Its first conclusions call for regional and sectoral skills ecosystems — referred to by the Board as ‘SPARKs’: Skills Partnerships for Adult Reskilling’ — that bring together businesses, education and training providers and regional authorities to reskill adults faster and closer to where jobs actually are.
Main conclusions
The Board's conclusions outline key elements for the development, scale-up and connection of skills ecosystems. These include
- incentives such as funding and structured cooperation
- guidance and support to help different ecosystems link up with one another
Within these ecosystems, training should be
- accessible and tailored to people’s needs
- delivered through new learning approaches
- reinforced by stronger involvement of social partners
- underpinned by wider use of microcredentials
This approach is designed to support the EU in adapting its skills needs to face global challenges, such as economic competitiveness, demographic ageing, technological change, and the green and digital transitions.
The first conclusions of the European Skills High-Level Board call for high-impact regional and sectoral skills ecosystems — referred to by the Board as ‘SPARKs: Skills Partnerships for Adult Reskilling’. These ecosystems would bring together businesses, education and training providers and regional authorities to up and reskill adults faster, and closer to where jobs actually are.
Role in the Union of Skills
The European Skills High-Level Board plays a central role in the governance of the Union of Skills, in synergy with the European Education Area. The Board’s conclusions will inform the Commission's work on education and skills within the European Semester, including the Council Recommendation on human capital and country-specific recommendations.
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu said:
"European businesses are struggling to find people with the right skills to help them grow and compete at global level, while education and training providers are being asked to keep up with shifting skills needs. The Board's conclusions chart a clear path to reconcile those needs — and I want to thank its Chair, Ylva Johansson, and the Board Members for their expertise and commitment."
Related links
- Publication date
- 15 July 2026
- Author
- Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion