Stratégia Únia zručností

- highlights that investing in skills is fundamental for Europe’s long-term competitiveness, resilience and cohesion, particularly as certain regions face demographic shifts, heightened global competition for talent and the imperative of navigating the green and digital transitions. This approach should be sensitive to regional disparities, with particular attention paid to regions at risk of being left behind;

- recommends adopting place-based strategies to align skills development initiatives with specific regional economic conditions and demographic contexts;

- stresses that the Union of Skills must be implemented with full respect for multilevel governance and the partnership principle, ensuring the meaningful involvement of local and regional authorities in the design and implementation of skills policies;

- stresses the need to simplify and better align EU funding instruments for regional skills initiatives, accompanied by effective technical support for LRAs, which will ensure that regional skills strategies are effectively implemented and impactful;

- highlights the importance of enhancing the portability and recognition of qualifications across the EU, which are essential for fostering labour mobility, combating brain drain and fully harnessing the Single Market and talent within regional economies;

- stresses the key role played by LRAs in implementing the Union of Skills strategy, leveraging their direct engagement with citizens and oversight of local education and training infrastructure.