Launched: September 2024
The challenge
Europe faces challenges with getting skilled workers into jobs they are well-suited to, and equally there is a need to ensure people with fewer opportunities are given access to vocational education and training (VET) so they can find jobs in regions around across the EU. This lack of European worker mobility has been influenced by several factors, including disruption to regional education and training initiatives brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. In addition, EU businesses face difficulties finding skilled staff, while many young workers experience skills mismatches. Demographic changes, such as an ageing population and declining birth rates, also shrink the workforce and threaten the EU's resilience. European demand for mobile, skilled workers underscores the urgency of this Lifelong Learning Mobility Partnership, which aims to increase the number of mobile VET learners in Europe.
The ambition
The Regional Pact for Skills Partnerships for Lifelong Learning Mobility aims to increase mobilities for VET, apprenticeship, adult education and informal education students, particularly those with fewer opportunities. In recognition of local and regional authorities’ essential role in driving learner mobility, the Partnership will implement policies and initiatives that support educational exchanges within and between their regions and promote recognition for qualifications and experiences obtained abroad.
The commitments
The Partnership has made several pledges in support of the proposal, such as a commitment to have 20% of VET learners by 2030 on mobilities and reserve 20% of all mobilities for those with fewer opportunities. In addition, the Partnership commits to work with regional and local authorities for better VET linkages and to monitor and evaluate the impact of mobilities in lifelong learning for the local skill needs. The Partnership will also cooperate with other organisations to gather training courses and material on internationalisation and mobility.
By committing to increase capacity-building and awareness and to strengthen the image of mobility through online activities, the Partnership will promote a culture of lifelong learning and provide opportunities for those in Europe with fewer opportunities.
The Partnership aims to create solid links between regions through five activities. Firstly, aiming to share inspiration and good practices of mobility, particularly for those with ‘fewer opportunities’, bi-yearly webinars and communication activities will be held. The Partnership will also define the meaning of ‘fewer opportunities’ and how to best involve these people.
The Partnership will develop the concept of lifelong learning mobility promoters who will support learning mobility initiatives. In addition, the Partnership will monitor mobility opportunities, which includes apprenticeships, and track their implementation across Pact partners.
Lastly, the Partnership has committed to host matchmaking events and expand a mobility matchmaking tool to match high-quality exchanges, improve student mobility and enable regional and local staff job shadowing.
Learn more about the Regional Skills Partnerships for Lifelong Learning Mobility:
