A Union of Skills for a Competitive, Inclusive and Future-Ready Europe

At its July 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion on the European Commission’s “Union of Skills” initiative, calling for a bold, inclusive and well-funded strategy to equip Europe’s workforce with the skills needed for the green and digital transitions, global competitiveness, and social cohesion.

The opinion on the "Union of Skills" responds to three key Commission communications: the Union of Skills framework, the Action Plan on Basic Skills, and the STEM Education Strategic Plan. The EESC welcomes the ambition behind these initiatives but stresses that success will depend on inclusive governance, adequate investment, and a strong focus on equity and quality.

Skills as a Strategic Investment

During the debate surrounding the opinion's adoption, rapporteur Mariya Mincheva declared: "We need to equip people with future-oriented skills. Industry-specific training ecosystems – for digital manufacturing, green hydrogen, and energy efficiency – are essential."

Fellow rapporteur Tatjana Babrauskienė added: "From digital frontiers to green horizons, our future prosperity demands we unlock every mind. Investing in skills isn't an option; it's the ultimate societal imperative", while third rapporteur Justyna Kalina Ochędzan highlighted the issue of education, stating: "Why education? Because access to affordable high-quality education regardless of place of living, gender, age or economic status is a key to advancing Europeans in social and economic status."

In the opinion, the EESC calls for:

• A robust EU budget for education and training in the next programming period, including enhanced Erasmus+ and ESF+ funding
• Increased public investment by Member States, supported by EU coordination through the European Semester
• A clear governance structure for the Union of Skills, with strong involvement of social partners, civil society, and education stakeholders.

The Committee also urges the Commission to propose separate EU agendas for teachers and trainers, co-designed with professional organisations, to improve working conditions, salaries, and professional development.

Building Skills for Life and Work

The Committee strongly supports the Union of Skills initiative, particularly its emphasis on lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling, and the promotion of STEM education. It underscores the importance of enhancing basic skills and key competences, especially in areas such as digital literacy, financial literacy, and citizenship education.

The EESC also calls for more inclusive access to vocational education and training (VET), adult learning opportunities, and comprehensive career guidance services. It highlights the urgent need to address labour shortages in strategic sectors, including green hydrogen, cybersecurity, and digital manufacturing.

The opinion advocates for greater awareness and understanding of artificial intelligence. It stresses the importance of ethical digital education to ensure learners are well-prepared for the challenges of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The Committee also stresses the importance of gender equality in STEM and VET, and calls for targeted support for SMEs, disadvantaged groups, and migrant workers.

A European Skills Ecosystem

To fully unlock the potential of the single market, the EESC advocates for several key measures. First, it supports the portability of skills and the mutual recognition of qualifications across all EU Member States, making it easier for individuals to work and grow professionally across borders.

The EESC also calls for simplified migration procedures for skilled workers. This includes streamlined visa processes and the fair treatment of third-country nationals, ensuring that talent from outside the EU can contribute effectively and equitably. The adopted text emphasises the importance of non-formal and informal learning, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the social economy.

The Committee also welcomes the proposed Skills Guarantee pilot, Individual Learning Accounts, and micro-credentials, provided they are accessible and inclusive.

STEM and Strategic Talent Development

The EESC endorses the STEM Education Strategic Plan as a key pillar of Europe’s innovation and competitiveness, with the opinion calling for:

• Long-term efforts to attract more women to STEM and challenge stereotypes
• Greater investment in VET prestige and quality, including life skills and civic competences.
• Support for academic careers and early-career researchers
• Inclusive upskilling and reskilling for jobseekers, NEETs, and low-qualified workers.

The Committee also highlights the need for AI literacy and ethical guidelines to ensure that digital transformation benefits all.

A Call for Coherent, Inclusive Governance

The EESC warns against fragmentation in education and training governance. It proposes:

• A High-Level Advisory Committee for Education and a dedicated Advisory Group on the Teaching Profession
• Stronger coordination with CEDEFOP and respect for its tripartite governance
• Integration of education and skills into the European Semester, with clear benchmarks and reliable, disaggregated data.

A Vision for the Future

The EESC’s message is clear: Europe needs a Union of Skills that is ambitious, inclusive, and future-ready: a Union that empowers individuals, supports employers, and strengthens the EU’s social and economic fabric. By investing in people and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, the EU can build a more competitive, cohesive, and resilient Union.