Reskilling and upskilling is a process that requires the active involvement of the institutions and stakeholders. This is particularly feasible in regions where the young labour force is mainly middle-skilled and can upgrade its skill set relatively easily, while institutional support for reskilling and upskilling can boost and/or rejuvenate demand in knowledge-intensive sectors. In addition to national and regional efforts, EU initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee and labour and training observatories (such as the Employment Skills Network, in France – Réseau Emplois Compétences) are crucial for reorienting the workforce towards a more knowledge-based economy. In this context, universities as well as social partners such as trade unions can also help to identify and address skills gaps. The development of appropriate training programmes and initiatives could benefit young workers and employers alike.
Thus, in the context of the study carried out by the YouthShare Project on the skills of young workers, five actions aligned with the new EU Skills Agenda for the regions where universities are located, are proposed.First, it is important for universities to work with industry stakeholders to disseminate knowledge and meet the research and innovation needs of the labour market. Learning events can also be developed in this framework to promote the skills needed in the labour market among the unemployed and precariously employed. These activities could focus in particular on improving career guidance for the unemployed and teaching digital skills to precariously employed people, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as young people, women and migrants. Moreover, reskilling and upskilling of the university staff could be carried out within the framework of the European Competence Framework for Researchers. Apart from this, social partners should be more encouraged to participate in labour market forecasting and early identification of skills gaps and trends through joint actions. Finally, in this era of energy transition, universities should enhance the development of green skills that will eventually produce a generation of climate-, environment- and health-conscious professionals who will ultimately benefit the environment and the workforce.
Effie Emmanouil,
PhD candidate,
University of the Aegean,
YOUTHShare Project
