2023 is the European Year of Skills. It’s the ideal opportunity to learn new skills and make it work – your career, your future, your life - with help from the EU.
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 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?
is the amount the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is investing in jobs, social actions, education and skills.
from the NextGenerationEU Europe-wide plan to ensure a recovery from the pandemic are allocated to adult learning
available under the Erasmus+ programme for European students to spend part of their studies at an education or training centre in another part of Europe
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 3 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. If you’re looking to reinforce the skills that will help you succeed in life, regardless of your age, gender, disability, origin or sexual orientation – the European Year of Skills is the perfect time to take that next step. And the EU can help you take it.
- 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.
