EP, EC and five EU Agencies spearhead green and digital skills development in the EU and beyond

Brussels, 20 September 2023 – The European Parliament hosted today for the second edition the landmark event “Skills, skills, skills! Skills for people, skills for competitiveness, skills for sustainability”. The initiative was proposed by the Chair of the Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee Dragoș Pîslaru, co-hosted by the five EU agencies working in the field of employment, social affairs and inclusion, in partnership with the European Commission.

The initiative marks a milestone of the European Year of Skills, signalling the European Union's determination to focus on current and future skills needs. After introductory remarks by Dragoș Pîslaru, chair of the EMPL Committee, and Joost Korte, Director-General at the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, the directors of Cedefop, Eurofound, EU-OSHA, the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the European Labour Authority (ELA) shared their knowledge on the transformative power of skills that will have an impact in shaping Europe’s future.

The 180 participants in the room, and the 200 followers online – members of the European Parliament and the European Commission, policymakers, social partners, civil society and other stakeholders – engaged in an open and frank debate with Directors and experts from the five social Agencies, about getting the balance right between challenges and opportunities to ensure the future is fair, heath and safe for the EU and beyond.

The agenda of the meeting included presentations and debates about the most relevant skills for people, competitiveness, sustainability, and how to get the right balance in meeting the skills needed for the green and digital transitions, and for a fair, just, healthy and safe future.

Dragoș Pîslaru, Chair of the EMPL Committee at the European Parliament, said: “Investing in skills is the ultimate approach to achieve a competitive economy for the benefit of all. Economic and social objectives can no longer be treated separately and operating in silos has already shown its limits. The investments in skills needs to go hand in hand with the social investment in people”.

Joost Korte, Director-General at the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, added: “The European Year of Skills has highlighted the pivotal role of skills for Europe’s competitiveness, autonomy, and overall prosperity. Skills drive our economy, improve lives, and are now firmly at the forefront of EU policy. Collaborating closely with our invaluable agencies, we are forging a more skills-oriented future. Together with the European Parliament, the Commission remains committed to making social progress, ensuring that skills remain central to our shared vision.”

Jürgen Siebel, Executive Director at Cedefop, said: “Population ageing poses a big challenge to the successful implementation of the green and digital transitions. We can best meet this challenge with formal and non-formal education and training and with continuous up-skilling – a skills revolution”.

Ivailo Kalfin, Executive Director at Eurofound, said: “Skills and training should be part of the DNA of a thriving and competitive EU economy. However, to fill the employment gaps there are two sides - jobs need to be attractive and job seekers - skilled. Hence, job quality needs to be addressed – wages, working conditions, non-discrimination, affordable public services”.

William Cockburn, Interim Executive Director at EU-OSHA, highlighted: “Every day, the EU loses thousands of skilled workers from the labour market due to injury, illness or even death. Apart from being an obligation under EU law, effective occupational safety and health measures, including training, can help stem this terrible loss and so support the EU’s growth and competitiveness.”

Pilvi Torsti, Director at the ETF, said: “Skills are at the core of creating fairer and more inclusive societies at a global level. The European Year of skills offers a unique opportunity to join forces and continue our work in supporting skills development considering the geopolitical landscape in the EU and beyond. The ETF is committed to working with all institutions on key aspects - ranging from skills anticipation to the recognition of qualifications - to generate impact in the long term”.

Cosmin Boiangiu, Executive Director at the ELA, said: "Cross-border labour mobility is not the silver bullet to solve labour markets imbalances, but it does contribute sensibly to a well-functioning EU Single Market. ELA’s ambition is to use the full potential of EURES, in particular through better matching of jobs with skills, and more dynamic targeting of labour shortages and surpluses. We will do so in cooperation with the European Commission, other EU agencies and institutions, Member States and social partners, aiming at more effective labour mobility."