Empowering Europe's workforce: The impact of the European Year of
Skills and open data initiatives
The European Year of Skills
[https://year-of-skills.europa.eu/index_en] is an initiative of the
European Union to tackle skills gaps and reinforce the EU skills
strategy
[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D0936].
This initiative seeks to equip individuals with the necessary skills
for quality jobs while aiding small and medium enterprises in adapting
to evolving workforce demands. Starting on 9 May 2023, the Year saw a
multitude of events, this year with a focus on green and digital
transitions. 

How does it work? The European Year of Skills
[https://year-of-skills.europa.eu/about_en] enhances workforce
capabilities and drives economic growth by promoting investment in
training, aligning skills development with employer needs, and
facilitating opportunities in the job market. Additionally, it
attracts skilled individuals from outside the EU to bolster Europe's
workforce and foster innovation, ultimately cultivating a highly
skilled and adaptable workforce to meet future challenges.

The Year facilitated skill-building activities across Europe, offering
opportunities to acquire, enhance, and align skills with job market
demands. This focus was underscored by six key skills,
including digital skills
[https://year-of-skills.europa.eu/about/what-eu-doing-you_en#paragraph_140].
 As highlighted in our data story
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/digital-literacy-eu-overview], more
than 90 % of jobs in Europe require basic digital knowledge, but
approximately 32 % of Europeans still lack basic digital skills. Given
the pervasive role of digital technology, there is a growing emphasis
on the importance of measuring and enhancing digital skills across the
EU.

In an era where data plays a central role across various
sectors, open data initiatives complement the European Year of Skills
by providing valuable insights into skill demands, training
opportunities, and workforce trends. Accessible datasets enable
individuals to make informed decisions regarding skills development
and employment strategies. Explore open data resources to discover key
trends, identify emerging skill needs, and align training programs
with industry demands. Together, the European Year of Skills and open
data initiatives contribute to fostering a skilled workforce ready to
thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Join us in harnessing
the power of data for a more skilled and resilient Europe.

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[https://www.linkedin.com/company/publications-office-of-the-european-union/],
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[https://data.europa.eu/en/newsletter].

Publication Date/Time
2024-05-06T08:00:00+00:00
Driving economic growth and innovation through skills development and
data accessibility