The Union of Skills – European Commission Initiative, March 2025 © DG EMPL, European Commission
The Union of Skills Communication, which will encourage the development of our Union’s human capital to strengthen EU competitiveness, is accompanied by a Basic Skills Action Plan and a STEM Education Strategic Plan to improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and maths, promote STEM careers, attract more girls and women to the fields, and boost preparedness in the face of the digital and clean-tech transitions.
The package announces a number of important initiatives for promoting basic and advanced digital skills. DG CNECT will implement four new targeted Digital Skills Academies in AI, Quantum, Virtual Worlds and Semiconductors, and promote joint degrees and future European degrees in digital technologies and interdisciplinary degrees applying these technologies to sectors like health and biotech, as well as training for Destination Earth technologies (e.g. climate modelling). To engage young European people in cutting edge digital technologies, DG CNECT will launch European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions.
To support the preparedness of the Union in the face of increased cybersecurity risk, DG CNECT will launch an Industry-Academia network under the Cybersecurity Skills Academy and promote Cyber-campuses for skills development in various Member-States and regions.
Background
The Competitiveness Compass, adopted on 29 January 2025, lays out “promoting skills and quality jobs” as one of the flagship measures for Europe to regain its competitiveness and secure its prosperity. As one of its Flagship Actions enablers, the Union of Skills supports the development of quality, inclusive and adaptable education, training and skills systems by delivering higher levels of basic skills, providing lifelong opportunities for adults to regularly upskill and reskill, facilitating recruitment by businesses across the EU, attracting and retaining the skills and talents in the European economy, and providing a strong governance foundation.