European Year of Skills

KEY POINTS

The European Year of Skills identified the following specific objectives to achieve its overall aim:

• promote investment in all forms of reskilling, upskilling, education and training;
• strengthen the relevance and provision of skills by working closely with and promoting cooperation between all those involved;
• match people’s aspirations, needs and skill sets with labour market requirements and opportunities, with a focus on integrating more people from underrepresented groups into the labour market;
• attract non-EU nationals with the skills needed in EU Member States by promoting learning opportunities and by facilitating recognition of qualifications.

The types of measures taken included the following:

• holding online and in-person conferences, forum discussions and other events on the importance of skills policies;
• organising working groups, technical meetings and other activities to promote mutual learning, including the sharing of good practices and guidelines;
• launching initiatives targeting relevant players, including public authorities and chambers of commerce and industry, to promote the provision, financing and uptake of skilling opportunities;
• running information, communication and awareness-raising campaigns on relevant EU initiatives;
• enhancing dialogue with social partners, stakeholder groups and networks and ensuring stakeholder involvement;
• promoting the design of national, sectoral and company-specific skills strategies and training;
• implementing and developing further skills intelligence tools;
• ensuring better transparency of qualifications and validation of non-formal and informal learning;
• developing programmes, funding opportunities, projects, activities and networks for all those involved in the design, dissemination and implementation of the opportunities available and in vocational education and training.

The Member States and the European Commission coordinated the European Year of Skills.

• Member States were responsible for national and regional activities and appointed a national coordinator or coordinating body.
• The Commission:
  • relied on the expertise and support of the relevant agencies;
  • convened meetings of national coordinators to align activities and create synergies;
  • engaged closely with social partners, civil society, education and training providers and others in implementing the year;
  • cooperated with non-EU countries and relevant international organisations.

Monitoring and evaluation rules require the Commission to present a report, by 31 May 2025, to the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions, assessing the implementation of the year and presenting ideas for further common endeavours in the field of skills.

The decision provided for funding of at least €9.3 million for operational expenses.