usinessEurope has reacted to today’s launch of the Union of Skills initiative. BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said:
“Addressing the skills and labour shortages that are holding companies back is central to a successful industrial strategy and creating quality jobs. BusinessEurope warmly welcomes the launching of the Union of Skills on the same day as the signing of the European Social Dialogue Pact. This Union of Skills is designed to support Member States and social partners in their efforts to better align education and training with labour market needs. It rightly recognises that actions to develop peoples’ skills are most efficiently taken at grassroots level.
We are pleased to see a focus on strengthening skills attainment at all levels of education, from basic skills to science, mathematics, technology and engineering (STEMs). Today, 30% of 15-year-olds in the EU lack minimum proficiency in maths and approximately 25% struggle with reading and science. The wider development of digital credentials as a tool to encourage the mutual recognition of skills and qualifications across borders within the EU and facilitate people’s mobility is another important aspect.
BusinessEurope looks forward to bringing the employers’ contribution to making the Union of Skills a reality and ensuring that companies across the EU have access to the skilled workforce they need to thrive.”
