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2023 for the European Union, all for one, one for all.

2023 has been proclaimed the "European Year of Skills" in the wake of what was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her State of the Union address 2023 e based on proposal adopted by the EU Commission.

The European Years are dedicated to a certain theme with the aim of raising awareness among citizens, encouraging debate and dialogue at European and national level. In 2013, on the occasion of theEuropean Year of Citizens, the European Policies Department has created a communication campaign to promote the rights of European citizenship.

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Why the European Year of Skills

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The availability of a rich set of skills is a decisive element for seizing the opportunities offered by the green and digital transition. However, more than three quarters of EU businesses are currently experiencing difficulties finding skilled workers and the most recent Eurostat data indicate that only 37% of adults are in the habit of undergoing training courses. Furthermore, 4 out of 10 European citizens (1 out of 3 workers) do not have basic digital skills. As early as 2021, as many as 28 work activities (from construction to healthcare, from engineering to IT) were experiencing skills shortages.

Lifelong learning is a decisive aspect for the growth of individual skills and for the economy in general. For this reason, EU states have 
approved the EU social targets for 2030, according to which at least 60% of adults should participate in training activities each year, thus contributing to reaching by 2030 the objective of an employment rate of at least 78%. Based on digital compass 2030, by this year at least 80% of adults in the EU should have at least basic digital skills and 20 million ICT specialists should be employed, while more women should be encouraged to take up such jobs.

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European year of skills, objectives and actions for competitiveness

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With the European Year of Skills, the EU intends to pursue four main objectives:

  • promote greater, more effective and inclusive investments in training and upskilling to unlock the full potential of the European workforce and support people in their transition from one job to another;

  • ensure that skills are matched to labor market needs, including by cooperating with social partners and businesses;

  • match people's aspirations and skills with the opportunities offered by the labor market, in particular for the green and digital transition and economic recovery. Particular attention will be paid to activating more people for the labor market, especially women and young people who are neither in employment nor in education or training;

  • attract people from third countries with the skills needed by the EU, including by enhancing learning opportunities and mobility and facilitating the recognition of qualifications.

To achieve these objectives, the Commission will promote initiatives to improve the level of skills and retraining; awareness campaigns on improving skills; analysis of skills needs; actions to facilitate easier recognition of qualifications, including those issued outside the EU.

To ensure coordination of activities at national level, a national coordinator for the European Year of Skills will be appointed.

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Initiatives and funding aimed at supporting the development of skills

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To achieve the objectives set, the EU will be able to count on the numerous initiatives already in place to support the development of skills. Among these, for example, theSkills Agenda for Europe, la new European innovation agenda and European strategy for universities. 

There is also substantial EU funding available which can support upskilling and reskilling projects. Among these, the main ones are:

  • il European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) which, with a budget of over €99 billion for the period 2021-2027, is the EU's main tool for investing in people;

  • il Recovery and Resilience Facility which can support Member States' reforms and investments also in the area of skills and employment. In the national recovery and resilience plans approved so far by the Commission and the Council, around 20% of social spending is dedicated to "jobs and skills";

  • The program DigitalEurope provisions a budget of 580 million euros for the development of advanced digital skills. The program provides strategic funding and, inter alia, supports the development of a pool of skilled and talented digital experts, while strengthening cooperation between EU Member States and stakeholders on skills and jobs digital;

  • The program Horizon Europe supports the skills of researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators, in particular through its Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie actions, the European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology;

  • Erasmus+ which, with a budget of €26.2 billion, supports, inter alia, the personal and professional development of students, faculty and vocational education and training institutions through funding of mobility activities and partnerships for cooperation across Europe. It also funds European universities that are pioneering the development of micro-credentials for training, upskilling and reskilling.

Other programs that can support skills development include il InvestEU programme, il European Globalization Adjustment Fund for workers displaced from work, il European Regional Development Fund, il Just Transition Fund, il European Solidarity Corps, il program for the environment and climate action (LIFE), il Fund for modernization, lo technical support tool e lo Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument.

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Source: Department for European policies politicaeuropee.gov.it

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