‘Upskilling Pathways’ need more visibility, funding, and implementation efforts

Read EAEA’s statement on Upskilling Pathways (pdf)

In July 2023, the European Commission assessed the Upskilling Pathways (UP) initiative, originally launched in December 2016, which aims to enhance adult skills through three main steps: skills assessment, tailored learning provision, and validation of acquired skills. The evaluation indicated moderate effectiveness, highlighting uneven implementation among Member States. While some positive trends emerged, challenges such as funding shortages and low awareness persisted, particularly affecting vulnerable groups.

Although initiatives like the Year of Skills have aimed to bolster adult learning and education (ALE), EAEA emphasises that there is still a strong need to recognize and prioritize non-formal ALE alongside formal education to remove barriers to learning.

EAEA’s findings stress the need for better financial support, clearer guidelines, and enhanced stakeholder cooperation to improve UP implementation. A survey of EAEA members and stakeholders shows many challenges, from accessibility and inclusion to transnational cooperation. However,  examples like Latvia, Romania, and Greece show how these challenges can be overcome with the right coordination among the stakeholders.

EAEA calls for targeted implementations that will consider:

1. Skills assessment – identifying the existing skills of adults and any gaps in the skill set that need to be filled, putting the learner at the centre of the process.
2. Provision of a tailored and flexible learning offer – providing a learning offer which fills the specific skills gaps identified through the skills assessment.
3. Validation and recognition – assessing and certifying the skills acquired and encouraging their certification towards a formal qualification.
4. Facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaboration, including educators, ALE providers, employers, and community organizations on a local, national, and international level.
5. Build partnerships with non-traditional stakeholders, such as social services, social partners, and SMEs.

Text: EAEAPhotos: EAEA