European Year of Skills

In the period from 9 May 2023 to 8 May 2024, we celebrate the European Year of Skills (EYS). The EU initiative on CoVEs and the 2023 Forum on Vocational Excellence play a central role in the EU’s strategy on skills and the objectives of the European Year of Skills. Embedded in the programme of the EYS, the Forum on Vocational Excellence is one of three flagship events of this year’s edition of the European Vocational Skills Week (EVSW). Since 2016, the EVSW brings all stakeholders – teachers, organisations, students, and trainers – together under one umbrella to showcase the value, potential and impact of VET for people all across Europe.

Due to pressing current labour shortages and the up- and reskilling required for the green and digital twin transitions, the President of the European Commission proposed to put skills centre-stage and announced the European Year of Skills. Helping people get the right skills for quality jobs and helping companies, in particular small and medium enterprises, address skills shortages in the EU is what this Year is all about. How? By showcasing skills development opportunities and activities across Europe, by fostering easier recognition of qualifications across borders, by bringing organisations and people together to share their experiences and insights, and setting out how EU initiatives and funding possibilities can help.