May 9 2023, Europe Day, marked the start of the European Year of Skills. The European Year of Skills aims to address skills gaps in the European Union (EU) and boost the EU skills strategy with a focus on digital and green technology skills by putting skills centre-stage. To do so, it will support skills-related activities and events across Europe. The following objectives are set out for the Year:
- Promoting investment in training and upskilling
- Ensuring skills match the needs of employers
- Matching people’s aspirations and skill sets with opportunities on the job market
- Attracting people from outside the EU with the skills needed
The Year will help reskill people and ensure they have the right skills for quality jobs. Additionally the Year will highlight national efforts as well as existing and new EU initiatives and EU funding possibilities to help companies, notably small and medium enterprises. It will run for the next 12 months.
Over the course of the Year, various stakeholders including the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, social partners, public and private employment services, chambers of commerce and industry, education and training providers, as well as workers and businesses will work together to promote skills development.
Key EU events
The following events are excellent opportunities for engagement during the European Year of Skills
9 May – The European Year of Skills Festival
The European Year of Skills Festival marks the start of the Year. It linked skills-related activities taking place across Europe.
8-9 June – Making Skills Count
This high-level stakeholders’ conference aims to stimulate debate among leading experts, policymakers and stakeholders to showcase initiatives and tools addressing skills-related challenges and exploring the different ways skills “count” and matter.
23-27 October – The European Vocational Skills Week 2023
The European Vocational Skills Week 2023 will highlight how vocational education and training is vital for people of all ages.
Get involved in the European Year of Skills
Events and awareness raising campaigns will take place over the Year. If you are organising events, debates, and skills-related activities in Europe that support the Year’s objectives, these can be added to the European Year of Skills map by filling out the form. Do use the logo and communication materials for your skills-related activities. Use #EuropeanYearofSkills on your social media channels to share your skills stories.
© European Commission
