Vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience 2020/C 417/01 - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 417/1

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (1) recognises education and access to vocational and continuing training as a fundamental right, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals envisage by 2030 equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university, and a substantial increase in the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

The European Pillar of Social Rights (2) proclaimed on 17 November 2017 sets out a number of principles to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems, including Principle 1 on the right to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning, and Principle 4 on active support to employment.

High quality and innovative vocational education and training systems provide people with skills for work, personal development and citizenship, which help them to adapt to and deliver on the twin digital and green transitions, to cope with emergency situations and economic shocks, while also supporting economic growth and social cohesion. Thereby providing them with skills that help them get or create jobs in demand on the labour market.

Effective vocational education and training policies are essential in order to achieve the goal of promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change, set in Article 145 TFEU.

The Commission Communication on ‘The European Green Deal’ (3) is Europe’s new growth strategy aiming to transform its economy and society and put them on a more sustainable path. Schools, training institutions and universities are well placed to engage with pupils, parents, businesses and the wider community on the changes needed for a successful transition. Pro-active up- and reskilling are necessary to reap the benefits of the green transition.

The Commission Communication on ‘A strong social Europe for just transition’ (4) highlights the need to place skills, employability and human capital at the centre stage, through the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (5), accompanied by a proposal for a Council Recommendation on vocational education and training. It also announces further work on the European Education Area and a new education and training cooperation framework with the Member States.

The Commission Communication on A New Industrial Strategy for Europe (6) calls for decisive action to make lifelong learning a reality for all and ensure that education and training keep pace and help deliver the twin transitions. It also calls on higher and vocational education and training to provide more scientists, engineers and technicians for the labour market. The New Circular Economy Action Plan (7) and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (8) highlight the key role of skills in the transition to a green and clean economy.

The Commission Communication on An SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe (9) highlights that availability of skilled staff or experienced managers has become the most important problem for a quarter of EU’s micro, small and medium-sized...