Aligning with the European Year of Skills 2023 push to encourage labour market stakeholders to promote reskilling and upskilling for quality jobs, this year’s PES Network Stakeholder Conference showcased what PES and their partners can do to successfully address skills challenges, and looked at the future role of PES and stakeholders as it relates to skills.

© PES Network

The outcomes of the PES Network Stakeholder Conference, held on 30 March 2023, have just been synthesised in a new paper, which underscores the need for collaborative action and innovative approaches to tackle the skills challenges faced by the EU labour market. The conference brought together PES and their partners from across the EU. Discussions focused on the integration of migrants, recognition of qualifications, and the development of partnerships within the skills ecosystem.

Skills assessment emerged as a key component for addressing the skills gap. To harness the untapped potential of Europe's workforce, innovative approaches are needed to recognise and validate skills, including non-formal and informal learning outcomes. The importance of recognising the value of soft skills and competences acquired through informal learning was highlighted.

The conference also looked at how to solve the significant unmet skills demand in the EU, revealing the potential for employing a high proportion of long-term unemployed and inactive individuals if appropriate support and guidance are provided. PES have an important role to play in this process, working with others to ensure that informal and non-traditional learning can be recognised, particularly to facilitate entry into the labour market for refugees and immigrants as an efficient way to address skills gaps.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for broad collaboration in ensuring effective skill development, involving employers, unions, public institutions, training providers, social partners, and NGOs. PES have a pivotal role to play in leading and coordinating these partnerships.

To support skills development, the EU has launched several initiatives and funding programmes. The European Skills Agenda, Pact for Skills, and EU Talent Pool were among the innovative initiatives mentioned. The European Commission has allocated substantial funding through programs like the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Recovery and Resilience Facility to invest in upskilling and reskilling efforts.

The conference concluded with a call for prioritising cooperation and collaboration. With PES at the forefront, only through deepened and broadened partnerships, can the workforce be empowered, and the skills gap effectively bridged.

Read the full synthesis paper to learn more about insights from the PES Network Stakeholder Conference on ‘Empowering the Workforce, Bridging the Skills Gap’.