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Quality digital education is the foundation of the labor market of the future

2021. 02. 09.

Last night the European Parliament’s plenary session, with the participation of Commissioner Nicolas Schmidt, organized a debate on the New European Skills Agenda. EPP Group Rapporteur Andrea Bocskor emphasized that: “The transition to a resource-efficient, digital and climate-neutral economy and the growing use of artificial intelligence pose new challenges for the labor market. New professions are emerging while existing ones may be transformed or eliminated. This clearly signals the urgency for a change in skills and competences in order to ensure the European Union and its Member States competitiveness”.

“The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the digital transition and showed the level of digital skills of different age groups. Due to security measures, most of our activities have moved to the digital space, teleworking and distance learning have become part of the everyday life for millions overnight, exposing the limits of our digital preparedness”, said MEP Andrea Bocskor, Vice-President of the Committee on Culture and Education.

“Modern, innovative and high-quality education and training, directly linked to the labor market and the needs of society, are extremely important for skills development, as well as helping to equip young people with important skills and preparing them for real life. The issue of vocational training and lifelong learning must be given priority, as knowledge and experience must be constantly expanded. In addition to basic and digital skills, it is essential to acquire language and entrepreneurial skills as well as transversal skills”, highlighted the Fidesz MEP.

Finally, Andrea Bocskor emphasized that in addition to students, adults and the elderly should also be involved in digital and other skills development programs and training, as this way they can remain active and conscious members of the accelerated world of our time.

Background: Last summer, the European Commission published its ‘A European Skills Agenda for Sustainable Competitiveness, Social Fairness and Resilience’ communication. With this initiative, the Commission seeks to put skills at the heart of the European policy agenda for the next five years, so that the right to lifelong learning becomes a reality and implements the first principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights. To achieve this, the Commission is proposing ambitious quantitative targets that will allow progress to be measured annually. The Commission calls on Member States and all stakeholders to contribute to the skills revolution and to make full use of the opportunities offered by the Next Generation EU.