COLLEGE MEETING: Commission presents Youth Employment Support package and the European Skills Agenda

Today, the European Commission is taking action to give young people all possible opportunities to develop their full potential to shape the future of the EU, and thrive in the green and digital transitions. The coronavirus pandemic has emphasised the often difficult start many young people face in the labour market. The Youth Employment Support package is built around four strands that together provide a bridge to jobs for the next generation. The aim is to make our systems more resilient for the future and boost employment by acting on all fronts: reinforcing the Youth Guarantee, future-proofing the EU’s vocational education and training (VET), renewing the impetus for apprenticeships, as well as additional measuresto support youth employment. The Commission also presents today the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience. The Skills Agenda sets ambitious, quantitative objectives for skills to be achieved within the next 5 years. Its 12 actions focus on skills for jobs by partnering up with Member States, companies and social partners to work together for change, by empowering people to embark on lifelong learning, and by using the EU budget as a catalyst to unlock public and private investment in people’s skills. More information can be found in the press material on Youth Employment Support: press release, Q&A, factsheet, and on the Skills Agenda: press release, Q&A, Skills factsheet, VET factsheet. You can watch back the press conference with Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis, Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Schmit on EbS.