Recommendation on Human Capital
Summary
The Commission will introduce a recommendation on education and skills within the European Semester to anchor the Union of Skills in the competitiveness steering mechanism. It will be underpinned by the European Skills Intelligence Observatory and advised by a European Skills High-Level Board, ensuring timely, granular evidence and guidance. The recommendation will target structural reforms across the skills pipeline (i.e. basic education, VET, higher education and lifelong learning) linking them to labour-market needs. It will inform Council debates, the Joint Employment Report and country reports/CSRs, and promote whole-of-government coordination across education, employment and economic portfolios, nationally.
Action items
1–6 of 25 items
Source order · D = digital dimension- Item 1
1. Address skills shortages in strategic sectors
- Item 2
• Steer actions to address skills shortages, with a focus on occupations, notably requiring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills, including ICT and AI, in sectors of strategic importance for competitiveness and resilience (such as digital and clean technology, circular economy and industrial decarbonisation, health and biotech, agriculture and fisheries-aquaculture, bioeconomy, defence industry and space).
- Item 3
• Strengthen fast-track as well as longer-term delivery of future-proof and labour market-relevant skills in areas of strategic importance, by fostering partnerships between education and training providers, public employment services, social partners and individual businesses as well as public bodies, including at regional and local levels.
- Item 4
• Reduce barriers to entry to regulated professions and take measures to promote faster recognition of qualifications in strategic sectors for EU and third-country nationals, while maintaining quality standards.
- Item 5
2. Strengthen basic skills to build solid foundations for higher competitiveness
- Item 6
• Strengthen the acquisition of literacy, mathematics (including financial literacy), science, digital, and citizenship skills from early age and throughout adulthood and all levels and types of education and training with particular attention to socio-economically disadvantaged groups and persons with disabilities, while also supporting the most talented. Take steps to reach the EU-level targets agreed under the European Education Area on students until 15 years of age underachieving in basic skills.