PRESS RELEASE - “Triple win” migration: coordinating skills and labour markets to benefit workers, host countries and home economies
While almost half of EU SMEs struggle to find workers with the right competences, two new ETF reports reveal how a better coordination of skills and labour market policy, governance and partnerships can turn mobility into shared prosperity.
Brussels, 8 June 2026 – When coupled with efficient policy, labour migration can deliver a compelling “triple benefit”: for migrants, countries of origin and countries of destination. This is among the key findings of two new reports published by the European Training Foundation (ETF): “Skills for Fair, Efficient Labour Migration” and “Skills and Migration in Changing Labour Markets”.
As global mobility rises, related gains remain unevenly distributed. Skills development, labour market needs and migration policies are too frequently misaligned. In parallel, sectoral labour shortages and demographic decline continue to intensify in Europe, while the demand for skilled foreign talent grows. Coherent skills systems, labour market intelligence and governance are key for encouraging mutually beneficial mobility.
“Labour migration is not an automatic win-win," said Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation. "When skills are
properly identified, harnessed and recognised across borders – and when policies are designed to support mobility in a fair, efficient way – labour migration has the potential to deliver enormous benefits for countries of destination, countries of origin, and crucially, migrants themselves.”
This is supported by new Eurobarometer survey data, whereby European SMEs report difficulties recruiting non-EU nationals and nearly half (46%) claim they struggle to find workers with appropriate skills. The reports conclude that without effective inter-country coordination, skills remain underutilised, which limits the potential for economic gains, sustainable returns and positive development outcomes.
From brain waste to brain gain
As the reports outline, migrant workers’ skills have grown along with demand, but weak qualifications recognition and frequent skills mismatch hamper labour market integration. As a result, many migrants work below their skill level, leading to widespread “brain waste”. This thwarts productivity in destination countries, limits the potential benefits for countries of origin, and restricts migrants’ professional and personal development.
To achieve sustainably successful labour migration, the reports advocate a shift from short-term “flow management” in migration policy to long-term, mutually beneficial skills-based governance. This means integrating migration into education systems and labour market intelligence. Skills partnerships between countries of origin and countries of destination also serve a vital role.
Case studies examined in the analysis show that the most effective, integrated approaches combine pre-departure training, language and soft skills development, and a broader recognition of prior learning and qualifications. Conversely, fragmented approaches and narrow recruitment-led schemes often favour precarity.
Data and systems: the missing link
The analyses also highlight how effective labour migration policy is contingent on the quality of available data. Harmonised labour market information is critical to identify skill needs, anticipate shortages and design mobility pathways that work for employers and workers alike. Data gaps in relation to migrants’ skills continue to undermine evidence-based policymaking and limit the use of available talent.
Meanwhile, in high-emigration and crisis-affected contexts, worker outflows cause concerning labour shortages. These highlight the need for “migration-aware” skills governance that directly integrates mobility into labour market forecasting. Coherent institutional ecosystems that connect skills recognition, diaspora engagement, labour-market reintegration, and support for returnees are necessary to facilitate return migration and unlock sustainable gains for countries of origin.
About the European Training Foundation
The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the foremost European Union agency supporting EU neighbouring countries to reform education, training and labour market systems. The ETF works with nearly 30 countries – from Ukraine to the Western Balkans, from the Southern Mediterranean to Central Asia and the African Union – to strengthen the security and prosperity of the EU and its neighbours. The ETF actively contributes to the pre-accession screening of EU candidate countries, the new Pact for the Mediterranean, the Talent Partnerships and the external dimension of the Union of Skills. The ETF Governing Board, chaired by Mario Nava, the European Commission’s Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, brings together representatives from all 27 EU Member States and four Directorates-General of the Commission. The ETF is based in Turin, Italy.
Media relations
Daria Santucci, +39 366 9639638; Leo Chapman, +39 375 1021024 - mediarelations@etf.europa.eu