Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the European Year of Skills during her State of the Union address before the European Parliament on 14 September 2022, as we previously reported. Among the EU 2030 social targets approved by the member states is achieving an employment rate of at least 78 per cent by 2030. To achieve this goal, investing in training is indispensable, and at least 60 per cent of adults should participate in training every year.

The European Year of Skills aims to enable Europe to become more competitive by boosting its workforce and ensuring that the green and digital transformations and the economic recovery are socially fair and just.

It will be celebrated on 9 May with a Festival linking skills-related activities taking place concurrently across Europe and running until May 2024. 

It will pursue four main objectives: promoting investment in training and upskilling, ensuring skills match the needs of employers by closely cooperating with social partners and companies, comparing people's aspirations and skill sets with opportunities on the job market, especially for the green and digital transition and the economic recovery and, finally, attracting people from outside the EU with the skills needed.

The European Year of Skills will help to address the skills gap, highlighting existing and new EU initiatives, including EU funding possibilities, to support their take-up and promote the organisation of skills-related activities and events across the EU, including a series of conferences, forums, and other events to foster the debate on skills and inclusive labour markets.

It will contribute to sustainable growth, lead to innovation, and improve companies' competitiveness. Moreover, it will contribute to the Green Deal Industrial Plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support climate neutrality.

The entire programme of activities and further information can be found on the dedicated European Year's website.