The Commission has adopted its proposal to make 2023 the European Year of Skills, following the
announcement by President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2022 State of the Union address.
The green and digital transitions are opening up new opportunities for people and the EU economy.
Having the relevant skills empowers people to successfully navigate labour market changes and to
fully engage in society and democracy.
This will ensure that nobody is left behind and the economic recovery as well as the green and
digital transitions are socially fair and just.
A workforce with the skills that are in demand also contributes to sustainable growth, leads to more
innovation and improves companies' competitiveness.
However, currently more than three quarters of companies in the EU report difficulties in finding
workers with the necessary skills, and latest figures from Eurostat suggest that only 37% of adults
undertake training on a regular basis.
The Digital Economy and Society Index shows that 4 out of 10 adults and every third person who
works in Europe lack basic digital skills. In addition, already in 2021, 28 occupations ranging from
construction and healthcare to engineering and IT had shortages, showing a growing demand for
both high and low-skilled workers.
There is also low representation of women in tech-related professions and studies, with only 1 in 6 IT
specialists and 1 in 3 STEM graduates being women.
To encourage lifelong learning, Member States have endorsed the EU 2030 social targets that at
least 60% of adults should participate in training every year, already presenting their national
contribution to meeting this target.
This is also important to reach the employment rate target of at least 78% by 2030. The 2030 Digital
Compass sets the EU target that by 2030, at least 80% of all adults should have at least basic digital
skills, and there should be 20 million employed ICT specialists in the EU, while more women should
be encouraged to take up such jobs.
With the European Year of Skills, in cooperation with the European Parliament, Member States,
social partners, public and private employment services, chambers of commerce and industry,
education and training providers, and workers and companies all together, the Commission
proposes to give a fresh impetus to lifelong learning by:
To meet these objectives, the Commission will promote upskilling and reskilling opportunities, for
instance by highlighting relevant EU initiatives, including EU funding possibilities, to support their
take-up, implementation and delivery on the ground. Events and awareness-raising campaigns will
also be organised across the EU to support mutual learning of partners in up- and reskilling.
The proposed Year also aims to help to further develop skills intelligence tools and promote tools
and instruments for increased transparency and easier recognition of qualifications, including
qualifications awarded outside the EU.
To ensure the coordination of relevant activities at national level, the Commission calls on Member
States to appoint a national coordinator for the European Year of Skills.
EU initiatives to support skills development
For the European Year of Skills, we can build on the many EU initiatives already ongoing to support
skills and increase their take-up, including:
Significant EU funding and technical support is available to support Member States' investment in
up- and reskilling, including:
Additional programmes that can support skills development include the InvestEU programme, the
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for displaced workers, the European Regional
Development Fund, the Just Transition Fund, the European Solidarity Corps, the Programme for
Environment and climate action (LIFE), the Modernisation Fund, the Technical Support Instrument,
and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument.
Next steps
The European Parliament and the Council will now discuss the Commission's proposal, with the
opinions of the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions taken
into account.