Important Opinion of the European Economic & Social Committee on Vocational training

The 27th of this past April, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted an important Opinion on

“Vocational training: the effectiveness of systems to anticipate and match skills and labour market needs and the role of social partners and different stakeholders”

In this Opinion, EESC stresses the crucial importance of having effective training systems and the ability to anticipate skills needs at a time of profound upheavals due to the COVID-19 crisis. The EESC considers the social partners to be effective players in designing and managing training systems. They are very well placed to measure the skills needs of the labour market and must systematically play a major role in the development of qualifications and their content.

The EESC recommends drawing up national strategic agreements on vocational training and guidance, on the basis of negotiations between the authorities and the social partners, involving vocational education and training stakeholders.

As you know, the European Council, Parliament and Commission are obliged by the EU Treaty to take into consideration the Opinions of the EESC , who are however non-binding documents.

To consult the Opinion in question, please click on https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/vocational-training-effectiveness-systems-anticipate-and-match-skills-and-labour-market-needs-and-role-social-partners