Skills, education and vocational training

EBSA welcomes the Commissions New Skills Agenda. For EBSA it is particularly positive that the Commission is determined on making Vocational Education and Training a first choice. Learning by doing is important, and experience shows, that newly educated persons are more likely to get a job directly in the Member States where vocational training is common than in the Member States where it is used more seldom.

Our sector needs well-qualified employees, and with the rapid speed of digitalisation, employees with a mix of “traditional” and digital skills are increasingly in demand. EBSA therefore appreciate the focus on digital skills in the communication.

Overall EBSA supports a flexible labour market with good opportunities for re-skilling of employees. For the internal market for (business) services to function properly, EBSA underlines the importance of mutual recognition of qualifications where we still see much room for improvement.