Last month, the European Training Foundation's (ETF) Network for Excellence (ENE) and its green partnership GRETA organised a joint meeting with the Danube Region Platform of Centres of Vocational Excellence. The key themes of the meeting were the role of centres of vocational excellence (CoVEs) in providing skills for the green transition and the greening of the energy and construction sectors.

The platform was launched in 2021 by Priority Area 9 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in cooperation with ENE. The strategy brings together 14 countries in radically different stages of economic development and membership status (nine EU Member States, three candidate countries and two countries of the European Neighbourhood), namely: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

ENE supports exemplary training through over 300 CoVEs from more than 40 countries. Some 43 CoVEs have already been founded in the Danube Region.

In their keynote speeches, Tim Van Rie, from the European Commission's Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion department, outlined the steep challenges of the energy crisis since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fanny Gruböck, Head of Corporate Sustainability at PORR, described in detail the greening of the construction industry and the skills requirements in the coming decades.

During the ensuing round-table discussion, Wolfgang Kern (from Austria's Ministry of Education, Science and Research), Marina Papović (from South Eastern Europe's Education Reform Initiative), Iryna Shumik (from Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science), Lilia Zestrea (from Moldova's Centre of Excellence in Construction) and the ETF's Susanne M. Nielsen discussed how to nurture the green transition in the construction and energy sectors.

The urgency of the situation was apparent to all. The EU is committed to a binding renewable energy target of 42.5% by 2030, and the construction sector is a major contributor to the climate emergency. Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption, and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.

Nielsen, who heads up the ETF's GRETA initiative (Greening Responses to Excellence through Thematic Actions), stressed the importance of a whole system approach to greening, and the need for absolute policy alignment: "skills aligned with construction, construction aligned with obligations from environmental and ecological policies, all working to a strategy that systematises greening". 

"We need technical skills," says Nielsen, "transversal skills (including digital skills), but most of all – something that was mentioned again and again – a green mindset."

The meeting was very much about unpacking the green skills concept: what are the skills needed in these two sectors, what do the statistics say. There were presentations from enterprises, ministries, education centres – all saying: "This is the opportunity and we now have the obligation to deliver these skills."

"Construction is the sector that most grew in Covid times," says the ETF's José Manuel Galvin Arribas, "it's the most polluting sector, throwing so much rubbish into the planet. But at the same time it's now embarking on this magical process because what the schools are doing is magical: formulating new processes for raw materials, finding new ways of producing bricks and paint, completely reformulating the construction process."

"Countries need to regulate or frame what a CoVE is, and what CoVEs can contribute to the whole system. Because CoVEs can impact the whole educational sector, even drive socio-economic redevelopment, help a country's reputation..."

But many at the conference noticed what Galvin Arribas summarises as a kind of disconnect between policy-makers and practitioners:

"It's not that they live in parallel worlds, but almost. They need to connect more to each other."

In the afternoon, delegates from Austria, North Macedonia and Romania discussed key developments in the greening of skills. Carmen Mușat, from Romania's National Centre for TVET Development, described the process of creating a compendium of best practice for the green transition involving the collaboration of teachers, representatives of employers and national experts.

The conference was also an eye-opener for ministries to see where their systems are falling short.

"The vocational education and training (VET) system is part of the problem," says Nielsen, "because it's too slow in delivering these skills when we look at the speed required."

It's a point reinforced by Galvin Arribas whose presentation described how only 57% of CoVEs provide programmes addressing green skills for adult learners, and only three out of five have implemented a strategy for green transformation.

Nielsen suggests that the situation could be improved if there were more autonomy:

"Occupational standards are recognised at a national level but for new competences to find their way into the system is not easy. It's almost as if we need 'micro-credentials', a small VET programme that is much more flexible to provide these green skills and competences."

The ETF's Gordon Purvis agrees:

"Organisations need to think in terms of agility and being nimble."

With technological innovations happening so rapidly it's vital that educational centres' curricula are able to adapt swiftly and keep pace with change.

The wider context of the Danube Region Platform is the convergence of countries which are, economically and industrially, very different.

"There is an informal sense of a geographical area that can be developed, that shares trade routes and cultural routes. That's part of the macro-regional strategy," says Purvis.

"The Danube Region also has an importance in terms of accession. Just last week the Ukrainian authorities formally started the accession process, the 'screening' in Brussels. These are things that are happening in the background."

The fact that four Ukrainian delegates travelled 22 hours from a war-torn country bears witness to their commitment to convergence.

"On a macro-level," says Purvis, "the Danube Region gives us a base of international cooperation. There are enlargement partners – not just Ukraine, but Moldova and the West Balkan six – and a good sense of outlining achievements in discussions: 'This is where we are, what we've done so far.'"

It was the first time that the Danube conference was held in person after two previous online events due to Covid.

"It was a win-win," says Galvin Arribas. "The delegates benefited from the expertise we deliver and the partnerships we mobilise. And for us, it offered more experience about how to run policy discussions regarding excellence with target people and gain an extra buy-in from policy officials and practitioners."

Attended by hundreds of representatives, "The European Year of Skills – What comes next?" conference held on 30 April was the opportunity to share skills stories and discuss the legacy of the past 365 days.

“Today, having the courage to step out of comfort zones is more important than ever before: the economy is changing, and this is nothing new, but now it goes faster and faster,” said the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Margaret Vestager, in her opening speech. 

EU agencies to drive the future of skills development

Representatives from the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) marked the conclusion of the European Year of Skills by putting the spotlight on the role of skills development in navigating the green and digital transitions.

"Through collaborative efforts, we can address skills shortages and ensure that all regions, including our neighbouring ones, are equipped for the future," remarked Juergen Siebel, Director of Cedefop.

"Collaboration is key to addressing the challenges we face in skills development across Europe and its neighbouring regions," added the ETF’s Head of Skills Identification and Development Unit, Manuela Prina. "By working together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to a greener, more digital economy."

Looking ahead towards a “century of skills”

Prina and Siebel took the floor at a session dedicated to EU agencies. Siebel emphasised the collaborative efforts between Cedefop and the ETF in conducting the European Skills and Jobs Survey, stating:

"Those who require more training are often those who have less access to education and training . This is a lost opportunity for Europe."

This highlights a critical challenge that must be addressed to ensure that equality and skill development opportunities grow in parallel.

Prina echoed Siebel's sentiments, stressing the need for a new narrative in addressing skills shortages, particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions. She emphasised the importance of not merely transferring problems to neighbouring regions but rather promoting cooperation for mutual benefit.

"We need to support a win-win-win narrative, both for the EU and its neighbouring regions, but mostly a win for individuals," she stated, putting the spotlight on the role of the EU social pillar in achieving this goal.

Siebel emphasised how the European Year of Skills has helped bring to light how skills work as glue for society and are at the core of growth for people and businesses. Prina underscored the connection between peace and investment in talent, calling for greater collaboration with countries like Ukraine. She expressed her hope for peace in the region and talked about how investing in skills can be a pathway to stability and prosperity. Looking ahead, Prina forecasted a "global century of skills" and urged for increased representation of voices in EU discussions, citing consultations with over 300 stakeholders as a step in this direction.

Siebel doubled down and challenged all parties to be even more ambitious and make life learning the default setting of the next century, investing in skills for competitiveness, growth and inclusion in Europe and beyond.

The contributions from both the ETF and Cedefop highlighted the importance of skills development in supporting the transition to a decarbonised and digital economy.

ETF: Capturing the voices of EU neighbours about skills

The ETF's initiatives, such as the #MySkills4You initiative with Young European Ambassadors and EU Jeel Connectors, demonstrated a commitment to engaging with stakeholders across Europe and its neighbouring regions to generate innovative ideas and amplify the voices of young people. The collaboration with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations showcased a concerted effort to address skills challenges beyond EU borders.

A series of ideathons, interactive events designed to capture the voice of all educational stakeholders from EU neighbouring countries, have generated innovative ideas as to how learners can gain skills for the evolving digital and green landscape. The key recommendations will pave the way for ETF work ahead, guiding the collaborative efforts with partners beyond the European Year of Skills.

Cedefop: Distilling skills intelligence for skills development

As part of the European Year of Skills, Cedefop has produced a series of research and policy analyses on skills in Europe to support countries and policy makers in designing policies that reflect EU skills needs and potentials. Such intelligence is readily available in a series of online data and visualisation tools such as Skills-OVATE, Skills intelligence, Skills Forecast, and Matching Skills.

In addition, Cedefop is driving research on skills needs and opportunities to support the green and digital transition.

Concluding with the words of the European Commissions’ Executive Vice-President, Margaret Vestager:

“The end of the European Year of Skills is more of a beginning – a beginning with a renewed focus, enthusiasm, and obligation to take action.”

The Lifelong Learning Conference will take place on 17–18 April.

It will explore the core of lifelong learning and the way it can contribute to the individuals’ need to continuously adjust to their changing environments. The topics of internal motivation and institutional obstacles will be discussed, as well as the impact of specific developments, such as the digital and green transition, on lifelong learning.

More information: Lifelong Learning Conference

The Global Gateway High-Level Education Event will take place on 11 April.

The event will focus on the opportunities for education investments and cooperation under the Global Gateway agenda; share examples of results achieved, best practices and lessons learned through funding and partnerships; look at how to accelerate progress in the future.

To learn more/register: Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education

Adopted by the European Parliament on 13 March, the Artificial Intelligence Act – expected to enter into force in May – aims to regulate artificial intelligence applications based on their potential risks and level of impact. Education, vocational training, and employment are considered to be high-risk. To understand what it means concretely, we had interviewed Dragoş Tudorache, a Member of the European Parliament heavily involved in shaping the AI Act. 

"I believe [AI] is going to revolutionise the way education is carried out, with good and bad consequences. And our societies must have a proper debate about it."

ETF interview with Dragoş Tudorache

The closing event of the European Year of Skills – What comes next? will take place on 30 April. The event will provide an opportunity to ‘look back at the achievements of the year and reflect on the road ahead’.

For more information, visit the European Year of Skills website.

Throughout the year, the ETF has organised brainstorming events with key partners and stakeholders from EU neighbouring countries to capture their voices and bring their input to the final event of the European Year of Skills – follow Our journey to shape tomorrow's green and digital skills.