European Year of Skills 2023: MEPs call to foster EU workers’ development 

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MEPs called on the EU to step up and advance skills development in the EU workforce in order to boost the competitiveness, participation and quality of the job market.

On Monday, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) adopted the draft report and agreed to enter into interinstitutional negotiations for the European Year of Skills 2023, starting from 9 May 2023 until 8 May 2024.

The draft text was adopted with 36 votes in favour, 2 against and 0 abstentions, while the decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations was approved with 35 in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention.

MEPs want to ensure the future generation of workers, particularly young people, women, asylum seekers and migrants, possess the skills and support needed to achieve their personal professional development as well as a successful green and digital transition in Europe.

The text calls on the EU to invest in inclusive and accessible lifelong learning systems and in closing gaps and skills mismatches of the EU workforce. High-quality education and training should facilitate access to skills development also by disadvantaged groups and vulnerable citizens and provide companies, especially small and medium enterprises, the crucial skills they need to grow and boost the competitiveness of the EU economy.

In particular, MEPs highlight how a large number of Europeans lack the basic digital skills needed in most workplaces and aim to address the shortages in basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Quote

The lead MEP Loucas FOURLAS (EPP, CY), said after the vote: “European Year of Skills has been adopted with overwhelming majority today in EMPL committee. We want to help you to get the skills that are in demand in the market, starting with education, at universities and with investments in life-long learning. We want to make sure that the green and digital transition leaves no one behind. No matter your age, whether you live in a remote area or belong to a vulnerable group”

Background

In October 2022, the Commission adopted its proposal to make 2023 the European Year of Skills, following an announcement by President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2022 State of the Union address.