28.10.2022

2023 will be the EU Year of Skills

In her State of the Union address in September, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen proclaimed 2023 as the European Year of Skills. Representing the European non-formal adult learning and education sector with its thousands of providers and millions of learners, we very much welcome this thematic year and are ready to contribute to its success.

Read EAEA’s response to the Public Consultation of the European Commission here.

However, we would like to stress that skills should be understood in a holistic way: skills that help for professional development, including basic and social skills, but also skills that all citizens need in their daily lives, including life and transversal skills, and skills to strengthen sustainability, democracy, and social inclusion. The EU Year of Skills will be an excellent opportunity for the European adult learning and education (ALE) community to showcase its many great achievements in transforming people’s lives and communities.

As the Commission President pointed out during her speech, Europe is facing big challenges: the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, the green and digital transitions, the changing labour market, and a changing political atmosphere in many parts of Europe. To meet these challenges, skills – and ALE, which promotes these skills – will play a central role. Lifelong learning connects generations and communities and is more important than ever to learn from and with each other, especially in more challenging times.

It will be of particular concern to us in the coming year to point out that “skills” should not leave anyone behind: we advocate an inclusive approach to education and lifelong learning that promotes social, ecological, and economic sustainability. We hope that the EU Year of Skills will contribute to increased awareness among decision-makers that the ALE sector, in order to play its due role and to reach even more learners, requires a substantial increase in funding and stronger governance structures at all levels. 

Further reading

Elm Magazine: The EU Year of Skills, opportunity or tokenism?

The Good Lobby: What is missing in the European Year of Skills – and why it matters

Lifelong Learning Platform: The 2023 European Year of Skills must be geared towards learning

EARLALL: The European Year of Skills on its way

Text: EAEAPhotos: EPALE

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