Briefing 
 

Skills to fit the digital age and boost the COVID-19 recovery 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the digital skills gap and the need to increase digital education, MEPs are set to stress in a debate.

MEPs will quiz the European Commission on Monday on the European Skills Agenda, and on how it intends to help member states to use the EU’s main policy and financial instruments to meet their goals in this field. The skills agenda consists of twelve actions that need to be implemented over the coming five years in fields such as lifelong learning and vocational training.

The COVID-19 crisis has aggravated pre-existing education inequalities and the number of students dropping out of education has increased. MEPs will emphasise the need to bring them back into the system, and to deliver high-quality digital education for vulnerable groups and people in remote areas. They will also ask the Commission how it envisages encouraging companies to finance and provide training to workers and apprentices.

Procedure: Oral question to the European Commission, with resolution

2020/2818(RSP)

Debate: Monday, 8 February

Vote: Wednesday 10 February, result Thursday 11 February