Ambitious five-year plan to upskill Europe's workforce is set out
Ambitious plans have been laid out by the European Commission for the upskilling and reskilling of the continent's workforce during the next five years.
The European Skills Agenda sets out 12 actions focused on creating skills for jobs through collaboration between Member States, companies and social partners, empowering people to embark on lifelong learning, and using the EU budget as a catalyst to unlock public and private investment.
The aim is to ensure that training and lifelong learning opportunities are available across Europe, from big cities to remote and rural areas.
The Commission is placing skills at the heart of the EU policy agenda, steering investment in people and their skills for a sustainable recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses need workers with the skills required to master the green and digital transitions, and people need to be able to get the right education and training to thrive.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting the European Way of Life, said: “This unprecedented crisis needs an unprecedented answer. One that will serve us today and for many years to come.
"The European Commission calls on EU Member States to invest in skills. The billions of EU funding put forward in the EU Recovery Plan and future long-term EU budget provide a unique opportunity to do so.
"We already know that skills are what allow people and our economies to thrive. Now, it is time to join hands and unlock a skills revolution, leaving nobody behind.”
Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, said: “The skilling of our workforces is one of our central responses to the recovery, and providing people the chance to build the skillsets they need is key to preparing for the green and digital transitions. It gives everyone the possibility to benefit from new opportunities in a fast-moving labour market.”
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