The right training will help you achieve your ambitions. Whether you want to improve your career prospects, change direction, return to work after a break or you’re at the very start of your professional life, we can help you make it work.
The Union of Skills will empower people across the EU with the skills they need to succeed in their educational and professional lives. It will also make it easier to use these skills in different EU countries. By addressing gender imbalances and helping European businesses find the workers they need, it aims to make the EU more competitive and inclusive.
It aims to
- deliver higher levels of basic and advanced skills
- provide opportunities for people to regularly update and learn new skills
- facilitate recruitment by businesses across the EU
- attract, develop and retain top talent in Europe
The European Skills Agenda is the five-year plan that aims to help you develop more and better skills. Thanks to training initiatives funded by the EU, you’ll be able to get the training you need to make the best of emerging opportunities in the job market.
Why do we need to take action on skills in the EU?
of EU companies report difficulties in finding workers with the necessary skills
ranging from construction and healthcare to engineering and IT have staff shortages
adults in the EU lack basic digital skills
How are we taking action?
The EU is investing over €150 billion to support people, businesses, and institutions to develop the education and skills needed for a thriving, competitive economy.
You’re just starting out on your work journey and there’s lots to learn. If you want to improve your chances of success, move up the career ladder faster or be able to switch paths, learning new skills or improving those you already have is your passport to quality employment and a fulfilling work life. If you are under 30, there are plenty of EU programmes to help you kick-start your journey in the labour market and make it work!
- If you are under 30 and looking for the next steps in your life, the Youth Guarantee can help you get training opportunities for a variety of professions.
- Erasmus+ has enabled more than 16 million people to study or work abroad as part of their education – now it could be your turn!
- Getting work experience is key to consolidate what you have learned. ALMA can help you put your skills into practice through a supervised work-experience in another EU country.
- Soft skills are as important as hard skills. The European Solidarity Corps enables you to help, learn and develop by working on projects to build a more inclusive society, support vulnerable people and respond to challenges facing communities across Europe.
If you’re considering a new job, educational opportunity or a traineeship where you can earn while you learn, we can help you make it work. The EU supports a variety of programmes run by providers in all corners of the EU so you can find the right fit for you and continue to grow professionally.
- Having your skills always up to date is key to having a successful career. Test your skills with the Europass self-assessment tool and get matching suggestions of courses and learning opportunities based on your test results so that you can take your digital skills to the next level.
- There are countless possibilities to study, train and find new learning opportunities across Europe. Europass can help you plan your learning and develop your skills.
- When things go wrong, the EU helps workers made redundant to find another job or set up their own businesses via funding such as the European Globalisation Fund.
If you’re a small business owner, you can make it work, be competitive and enjoy success. The world moves fast and staying up to date with market and societal trends can be tricky. Your safest bet is to make sure you and your workforce have the right set of skills to navigate through a constantly changing world. The European Year of Skills is the perfect moment to assess where you are, where you want to go, and what you need to do to get there. EU-funded programmes and training courses can help you keep your business relevant and make sure it is well prepared for the future.
- The EU gives small businesses the opportunity to invest in their staff through a range of programmes. Digital Europe is investing €580 million to develop advanced digital skills in areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and the Regional Development Fund aims to improve skills and competitiveness.
Find the best people for the job:
- Over 1 million CVs are on the EURES platform. Hiring workers from other EU countries is a great opportunity to find motivated and skilled workers for your business, especially in the case of national workforce shortages in specific economic sectors.
- If you are having trouble finding the skills you need for your company, the European Job Days could be for you. Onsite or online, these Europe-wide recruitment fairs can help you find the perfect match for your open position.
- To bring much-needed skills to the EU, the EU Talent Pool helps Ukrainians fleeing the war share their CVs with employers, job centres and employment agencies.
- The EU is promoting the modernisation and attractiveness of vocational education and training systems to better cater for the employer’s needs.
- If you wish to access knowledge on skills trends, advice on relevant funding instruments to invest in upskilling your workforce, and partnership opportunities, you should join the Pact for Skills.
- Are you a company owner who wants to become part of a community of European change-makers bringing digital skills to all? When you join, you’ll get the opportunity to exchange opinions, best practices and interact with peer organisations. Through the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, you can make it work by pledging a concrete contribution to reduce the digital skills gap in Europe.
- By funding Centres of Vocational Excellence, the EU is supporting the creation of skills ecosystems across all Member States. Your company can be part of one of these centres.
- The EU is also encouraging and supporting companies and public authorities to create more and better apprenticeships through the European Alliance for Apprenticeships. Alliance members benefit from Apprenticeship Support Services such as online resources and networking opportunities, allowing members to connect, learn and act.
