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.
Skills shortages and gaps are hindering EU competitiveness. Many people are falling behind as job requirements evolve, while businesses struggle to find people with the right skills and qualifications.
To address these challenges, the Union of Skills delivers a new approach, combining education, training and employment policies with a common vision of competitiveness.
Where do we stand?
There is a need to increase access to skilled workers for SMEs, as many report difficulties in recruitment.
Strengthening basic skills in education is essential to ensure all students are equipped for the future, particularly in literacy, maths, science, digital skills and citizenship.
Shortages in STEM are persisting, driven by low takeup among women.
Boosting digital skills remains a priority for both adults and students, with efforts to expand training and participation in lifelong learning.
Addressing demographic shifts is key, as the active working-age population is decreasing.
Encouraging more girls and women to enter STEM and ICT fields remains important to close persistent gender gaps.
To achieve this, the Union of Skills sets out a plan to:
Build skills for quality lives and jobs
Upskill and reskill for the digital & green transition
Circulate skills across the EU for competitiveness
Attract, develop and retain talent for Europe’s future
Initiatives
Building a solid foundation through education and training
- boost basic skills from early years to adult learning: Action Plan on Basic Skills
- ensure all children and young people leave school with adequate basic skills: Basic Skills Guarantee
- foster excellence in STEM education and training: STEM Education Strategic Plan
- a new strategy to make vocational education and training (VET) more attractive, innovative, and inclusive: EU VET Strategy
- tackle shortages, improve conditions, and boost careers for educators: Teachers and Trainers Agenda
Regular upskilling and reskilling as the new norm
- upskill and reskill more workers in strategic sectors: Reinforced Pact for Skills
- provide skills for the green transition: EU Skills Academies
- help workers involved in restructuring processes: Skills Guarantee pilot
- train people for sectors with skills gaps: University-business partnerships
Free movement of knowledge and skilled people
- simplify recognition of skills and qualifications across the EU: Skills Portability Initiative
- improve the free movement of learners and workers: European degree and European VET diploma
- strengthen cooperation between universities: European Universities alliances
- enhance pupil and teacher’ mobility across schools: European School Alliances
- make Erasmus+ more inclusive and accessible
Making the EU a magnet for talent
- facilitate targeted recruitment of skilled non-EU professionals to address critical shortages: EU Talent Pool
- attract top students and researchers from non-EU countries: Visa Strategy
- offer competitive work conditions to attract top researchers to Europe: MSCA Choose Europe pilot
