Improving people’s skills is crucial to address the many challenges Europe is facing. Our ability to remain competitive and to innovate relies on skills. A shrinking and ageing workforce requires higher productivity. Skills will be key to successfully manage the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, the EU is faced with serious skills shortages and skills mismatches which are acting as a brake on economic growth. Greater relevance of education and training systems to labour market needs is therefore needed. Education institutions should also open up more to partnerships with companies. BUSINESSEUROPE is actively contributing to shape common European tools that seek to facilitate transparency and mobility and is involved in various processes (Bologna, Copenhagen) to promote employability and improve the access to and quality of vocational education and training.
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