On 3 August, the EU Neighbours South programme launched a new activity: Skills Connect. This concept aims to enhance collaboration and maximise skills exchange between the youth of the EU Neighbours South’s networks through the organisation of online or face-to-face sessions.
Skills Connect invites EU Jeel Connectors and EU Goodwill Ambassadors to create sessions during which they can share their knowledge on topics they have expertise in. The formats are flexible and include trainings, talks, workshops, tutorials, MOOCs, or any other engaging styles.
This initiative falls within the broader context of the European Year of Skills 2023, which aims to bring renewed focus and energy to the concept of lifelong learning. This year-long campaign seeks to unlock their potential to contribute to sustainable development by actively empowering individuals to engage in green and digital transitions. The EU invests significantly in enhancing skills across diverse sectors through its funding programs and projects.
The European Year of Skills aims to address skills gaps in the European Union and boost the EU skills strategy, which will help reskill people with the focus on digital and green technology skills. This will require helping people get the right skills for quality jobs and helping companies, in particular small and medium enterprises by highlighting national efforts as well as -existing and new EU initiatives and EU funding possibilities. It will support skills-related activities and events across Europe.
Throughout the year, various stakeholders, including the Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, social partners, public and private employment services, chambers of commerce and industry, education and training providers, as well as workers and businesses, will work together to promote skills development.
The Year started on 9 May and will run for 12 months, with many actions and initiatives to be launched and promoted.
