Following a consultation with experts and practitioners in education and skills from across Europe, including EASNIE Director João Costa, in January, the European Commission has published a Communication on the Union of Skills.
The Union of Skills aims to reduce skills and labour shortages across Europe, with a particular focus on the sciences, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) fields.
The Communication highlights the need to ensure an inclusive lifelong learning approach to strengthen basic skills and equip all learners for the future. It draws attention to barriers to skills development and use, particularly among those with disabilities or a from migrant background, and gender gaps in STEM fields.
To help tackle these issues, the Communication is accompanied by an Action Plan on Basic Skills and a STEM Education Strategic Plan. These include initiatives which will be put in place to improve skills development and ensure existing skills and talent are put to use across Europe.
The Communication on the Union of Skills is available on the Commission website. The Commission press release and the Union of Skills factsheet contain more information.