Skills shortage: regions and cities want more apprentices and trainees on the move
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- Education
- Employment
- Labour mobility
Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) advocated an increase in the targets set for 2030 for the participation of vocational education and training (VET) learners and apprentices in international learning mobility programmes. In a set of recommendations adopted at the plenary session on 18 April, they stressed that the collaboration of local and regional authorities is key to improving skills and talent mobility and empowering the Union for the green and digital transitions.
The opinion drafted by François Decoster (FR/Renew E.), member of the Hauts-de-France Regional Council, backs the proposal of the European Commission on the Skills and Mobility Package, which aims to make the EU more attractive to global talent and facilitate their internal mobility to tackle critical labour shortages and strengthen the EU's competitiveness.
Regions and cities argued, however, that specific targets and measures should be adopted to promote the mobility of VET learners and apprentices. Currently, these targets stand at 8%. They proposed increasing the participation target for VET learners (including apprentices) from the 15% proposed by the Commission to 20% by 2030 and setting specific targets to increase the mobility of apprentices to 40% of all VET learners. They also emphasised the importance of guaranteeing equal access to mobility for vulnerable groups.
Local authorities play a key role in integrating mobile learners and promoting local learning cultures. They should be involved in defining and implementing mobility plans and empowered with training programmes, technical assistance and knowledge-sharing platforms to encourage mobility, stated CoR members. The European network of regional and local councillors, as promoters of mobility within local communities, should be part of the strategy.
The CoR opinion urged the creation of a 'Europe of learner mobility' based on best mobility practices already implemented in cross-border regions. It recommended the creation of cross-border macro-regions, with the collaboration of local and regional authorities, centres of vocational excellence, social partners and SMEs, to promote ecosystems and networks that guarantee high-quality training and strengthen the European mobility of VET learners.
Language barriers represent a significant obstacle to mobility. Local and regional leaders called for promoting multilingualism and compulsory language teaching to ensure the success of mobility programmes.
Regions and cities demand to launch the pilot project on Erasmus Green Cities offering young people Erasmus+ funded traineeships through the 100 Green Cities and the 100 Climate-Neutral Cities Mission networks.
In order to attract and retain education staff, the Committee advocated for strengthening mobility and continuous professional training, as well as for the standardised recognition of skills and qualifications across Member States.
Finally, the opinion calls for the inclusion of local and regional authorities in the European Commission's "Action Plan on Labour and Skills Shortages in the EU" and in the forthcoming declaration on vocational education and training (VET) for 2025.
Quote:
Rapporteur François Decoster (FR/Renew E.), member of the Hauts-de-France Regional Council, said: 'The Bologna process creates an imbalance between university and vocational training students. At the end of the European Year of Skills, two months ahead of the European elections, and as part of the “Europe on the Move" plan, I would like to present an ambitious project that enables regions to become involved in the future European skills area.'
More information:
The Skills and talent mobility package, put forward by the European Commission in November 2023, is a set of proposals including:
- A Communication on skills and talent mobility;
- A proposal for a Regulation establishing an EU Talent Pool;
- A Commission Recommendation on the recognition of qualifications of third country nationals;
- A proposal for a Council Recommendation on learning mobility opportunities for everyone.
The package puts the focus on helping people get the right skills for quality jobs and supporting companies in addressing skill shortages in Europe.
The current numbers of learners benefiting from learning mobility abroad range between 5 and 7%. The target for 2025 is at least 8%. In higher education, the share of graduates with a learning mobility experience ranges around 15% and the current target is at least 20%. The European Commission proposal for 2030 is at least 25%.
In 2023, the Commission launched the European Year of Skills, which will end in May 2024. The main objective of this initiative was to promote lifelong learning, empower people and businesses to contribute to the green and digital transitions and support innovation and competitiveness in the EU.
Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Besides the focus on higher education student mobility, it also includes opportunities to study, train or volunteer abroad for vocational students, apprentices, teachers, youth workers and volunteers.
Contact:
Name: Ângela Machado
Tel: +32 475 41 31 58