Skills Priorities for the 2024-2029 EU term

Human capital stands as one of Europe’s primary competitive advantages. However, skills shortages rank among the main concerns for the business community, hindering growth, innovation, and adaptation to technological and environmental changes. The combined impacts of the twin transition and the pace of the changes they have brought call for more ambitious and reactive skills policies. As we approach the 2024-2029 legislative period, Eurochambres calls upon EU policymakers to address the skills gap crucial for both growth and navigating the twin transition. The EU has a pivotal role to play in developing the skills needed for the future of work.

For the next legislative period 2024-2029, Eurochambres urges EU policymakers to:

• Invest in skills development, upskilling, and reskilling while improving the use and coordination of skills forecasts and skills intelligence to meet labour market needs.
• Follow the EU Labour and Skills Shortages Action Plan to address current and future workforce challenges.
• Encourage lifelong learning initiatives and reduce barriers to entering the labour market.
• Focus on deepening the European Education Area while not calling into question Member States competences in the field of education.
• Enhance coordination among various stakeholders, including involving chambers of commerce and industry in education and training programme design and delivery.
• Incorporate entrepreneurship as well as green and digital skills into education.
• Promote vocational education and training and dual study systems for apprentices; support the mobility of apprentices, through the strengthening of Erasmus+, as proposed in the Von der Leyen’s political guidelines for the new Commission.
• Support a European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) as proposed in the political guidelines for the new Commission.
• Promote higher mobility of skilled workers and improve the recognition of skills and qualifications across the EU.
• Recognise the importance of legal migration and ensure the EU remains an attractive destination for skilled international workers.