Reducing the skills gap was one of the main topics discussed by local and regional leaders at the meeting of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC), held in Sliema (Malta) on 17 June, hosted by Anthony Chircop, President of Eastern Region (Malta).
In a draft opinion adopted at the meeting, SEDEC members stressed that investing in skills is crucial to Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and territorial cohesion, especially for rural, remote and less-developed regions. Local and regional authorities (LRAs) called for place-based strategies that align skills development with local economic needs to better address youth emigration, infrastructure gaps, brain drain and teacher shortages. They also urged for a modern education system that promotes digital skills and lifelong learning, facilitating upskilling and reskilling. Better EU funding and stronger technical support for LRAs are crucial to promote regional skills and to prepare Europe’s workforce for future labour market challenges, members stated.
Rapporteur Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca Municipality, Cluj County, said: "The Union of Skills is not just a political initiative launched by the European Commission, it’s a strategic vision and a more thoughtful Europe-wide approach. This initiative isn’t just about collecting ideas — it’s about preparing our societies for the future of work, fostering mutual understanding between regions, and transforming what were once challenges into sources of connection and diversity.”
Local and Regional Proposals to Build a Stronger Union of Skills
In his draft opinion, Rapporteur Emil Boc outlines an ambitious package of proposals that put local and regional authorities at the heart of the EU’s skills strategy:
- Territorial cohesion and place-based strategies: The opinion calls for targeted, region-specific investments to address structural challenges in rural, remote and depopulating areas. LRAs should play a central role in tailoring education and training systems to local economic and demographic realities.
- Modernisation of education systems: Local skills ecosystems should be built through public-private partnerships involving municipalities, universities, businesses and innovation hubs. Regions are encouraged to modernise curricula, embrace digital teaching methods and respond to labour market demands, particularly in STEM fields.
- Labour market inclusion and resilience: The opinion highlights the importance of regional strategies to integrate vulnerable groups — including migrants, older workers and the long-term unemployed — through community-level infrastructure and tailored training support.
- Enhanced regional competitiveness: EU funding instruments for skills should be streamlined and better aligned to local needs. The portability and recognition of qualifications across borders must be improved to combat brain drain and boost labour mobility.
- Empowerment of local and regional authorities: Structured cooperation mechanisms are needed to ensure that LRAs can actively contribute to and implement skills policies. This includes clear governance frameworks, adequate resources and strategic partnerships with academia and industry.
- Lifelong learning and adaptability: The opinion promotes individual learning accounts (ILAs), micro-credentials, early childhood education, and digital and entrepreneurial education. LRAs should be equipped to support these initiatives and foster inclusive lifelong learning pathways, including for older workers.
- Interregional cooperation and innovation: Cross-border and interregional partnerships among LRAs are encouraged to share best practices and pool resources in addressing common skills challenges, fostering resilience and innovation.
Through these proposals, local and regional leaders aim to build a more inclusive, future-proof and territorially balanced Union of Skills that truly empowers Europe’s regions and citizens in the face of ongoing demographic, economic and technological transformation.
