Shaping learning and skills for Europe: Cedefop's take
Azzara, Zelda; Pouliakas, Konstantinos; Salvatore, Lidia; European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)
- Publisher
- Zenodo
- Language
- en
Abstract
Conference presentation from the event Shaping learning and skills for Europe: Cedefop 50th anniversary conference (27/05/2025, Brussels) Through experts’ insights and interactive discussion, participants will dive into Cedefop’s work and how it contributes to the development of the Union’s policy.Cedefop’s Skills Intelligence will take centre stage, as a vital tool for informing policy and supporting effective vocational training and skills development systems that equip learners and organisations with relevant competences. Related landing page: Cedefop50 Cedefop related projects: Anticipating and matching skills Changing nature and role of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe European skills and jobs survey (ESJS) European skills index Future of VET Monitoring and analysing VET policies in Europe Skills and jobs for the green transition Teachers’ and trainers’ professional development VET systems in Europe
Full text
Brussels I 27-05-2025 Shaping learning and skills for Europe Cedefop 50th anniversary Zelda Azzara (ORCID: 0009-0001-5904-7693) Konstantinos Pouliakas (ORCID: 0009-0008-0708-3116) Lidia Salvatore (ORCID: 0009-0005-7386-3389) Experts, Cedefop
Cedefop’s TalentGap index Critical skill shortages in EU27 (2025-35) High skill & low labour shortage ICT technicians Business and admin professionals Teaching professionals Admin and commercial managers High labour & high skill shortage Chief executives, senior officials and legislators Science and engineering professionals Managers (hospitality, retail, production) ICT professionals Low skill & low labour shortage Clerks Food processing, wood working, garment and other crafts Metal, machinery and related trades workers Protective service workers High labour & low skill shortage Cleaners and helpers Personal service / care workers Building and related trades workers Refuse workers Projected labour and qualification imbalances Potential skill shortage
43% 38% 33% 31% 29% 29% 28% 27% 24% 21% 16% 29% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Luxembourg Belgium Germany France Ireland Czechia Slovakia Portugal Poland Greece Spain EU11 More AI use Use of AI at workplace AI in EU workplaces Another great divergence? Source: Cedefop AI skills survey (2024) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 Male Female Low Medium High Small Large Age group Gender Education SME Demography of AI use
AI upskilling Bridging the AI skill gap 42% need to develop their knowledge and skills in using AI at work 15% participate in in training to develop their AI knowledge and skills
Blending forecasts, foresight and big data Substantial job opportunities possible Not all green jobs are ‘green’– ‘thyroid’ occupations as accelerators VET for ‘brown’ sector transitions Building green skills mindsets Cedefop skills intelligence informing the EU Green Deal
Feedback loop EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEMS LEARNING OFFER LABOUR MARKET SKILLS NEEDS Digital technologies and big data Reference frameworks (EQF, ESCO) Digital credentials Skills intelligence Powered by collaborative multi-actor governance
The Future of CVET Lifelong and life-wide learning
Motivational challenge of learning in companies Probability of participation in digital skills training 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Complex jobs Digital skills intensity Training needs systematically reviewed Job performance formally appraised Fear of automation AI automation risk Job complexity Workplace practices Attitudes High Low High High Low Low Medium Yes No Yes No Great None Non-user Source: JRC-Cedefop (2024) using Cedefop ESJS2
Human-centric lifelong skills development ecosystem Recognises and empowers employers as central actors Empowers individuals Underpinned by a strong governance Supports learner-centered and flexible combinations of learning
