In a bid to accelerate its competitiveness, the European Commission has launched the “Skills Union” initiative, a comprehensive strategy designed to equip workers with the skills needed to meet industrial and technological challenges. Speaking at a press briefing, Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu emphasised that a highly qualified workforce is essential for Europe to compete on the global stage.
The plan covers a wide range of measures aimed at improving both foundational education and lifelong learning. Among its key components is a “basic skills action plan” to address deficiencies in literacy, mathematics, science, and digital skills. The Commission has set targets to reduce low performance rates in these areas to below 15% and to ensure that at least 15% of students are top performers. A strategic STEM education plan is also on the agenda, with a goal to attract one million women into STEM fields by 2030.
Additionally, the Skills Union seeks to facilitate labour mobility within the EU by promoting the use of digital credentials that allow skills and qualifications to be recognised seamlessly across borders. In a move to attract top talent from outside the bloc, the Commission will introduce a “visa strategy” and establish a “talent reserve” as part of the broader Migration Pact, targeting sectors like health, IT, and construction that face severe shortages.
While the plan is primarily funded by reorienting existing education and capacity-building budgets currently totalling around €150bn the initiative also aims to reduce bureaucratic fragmentation and improve the working conditions of educators. Measures to strengthen programs such as Erasmus and enhance the European mobility of teachers are also included.
