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.
What the Union of Skills has delivered so far
5 March 2026 marks the first anniversary of the Union of Skills. Over the past year it has delivered a series of new initiatives:
- with a budget of €14.5 million, the Skills Guarantee Pilot focusses on workers from the car industry and its supply chain who are at risk of unemployment
- the Council Recommendation on human capital aims to support EU countries in prioritising education and skills investment and reforms to tackle structural challenges
- the European Skills High-Level Board with former Commissioner Ylva Johansson as chair will bring together businesses, education, training providers and social partners for advice on how to tackle skills shortages in Europe
- the European Skills Intelligence Observatory has started its work to provide data and foresight on skills needs
- with an Action Plan on Basic Skills, a STEM Education Strategic Plan and the initiative Girls Go STEM, the EU has addressed declining performance in mathematics and science
- the launch of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ‘Choose Europe’ Pilot aims to improve working conditions and retain top researchers in Europe while the EU’s new Visa Strategy streamlines the arrival of top students and researchers
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
Governance
Delivering on the Union of Skills will require a collective responsibility and increased ambition, investment and effective reform implementation. For this, the Union of Skills will rest on a strong governance:
- the European Skills Intelligence Observatory will provide data and foresight regarding skills and allow for early warning alerts regarding skills shortages in critical or strategic sectors
- a new European Skills High-Level Board will bring together education and training providers, business leaders and social partners to provide comprehensive insights on skills to the EU policy makers
- the Commission has proposed a new EU-27 Recommendation on human capital in the European Semester cycle
