Politics and Analysis
New EU initiatives to prepare the workforce for the future – but without unnecessary regulation
20. March 2025
Press Release
The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) supports the European Commission's focus on vocational education and training and lifelong learning as a driver for increased competitiveness, but warns against unnecessary regulation that may restrain national solutions.
On the 5th of March 2025, the European Commission presented a plan to strengthen Europe's competitiveness through increased focus on education and skills development of the European labour force. The new strategy, known as the Union of Skills, aims to tackle the challenges that Europe faces in a globalised and technologically advanced world. The Commission proposes actions through a number of existing initiatives and the introduction of new initiatives, especially in the field of education and training.
DA supports the aim of strengthening vocational education and training in the EU. DA also supports a strong focus on lifelong learning that is linked to the demands of the labour market. The overall focus of the new strategy is thus welcomed by Christiane Mißlbeck-Winberg, Senior Director, European and International Affairs, at DA.
- It's positive that the European Commission focuses on the fact that a labour force with the right skills can be a catalyst for growth and strengthened European competitiveness. There is a need for more skilled labour, and it is important for European companies that the European Commission also has an increased focus on lifelong learning, targeted skills development and the need for employees from outside the EU.
At the same time, DA points out that it is important that good intentions are not translated into new regulation and that the European Commission keeps a close eye on the division of competences between the EU and the Member States as set out in the Treaties, where education is an exclusive national competence that is crucial to ensure flexible and effective national models.
- It is very important that any initiative from the European Commission is fully compatible with the different European labour market models. In Denmark, we have a well-functioning national education and training system, and the social partners play a role in ensuring up-to-date and labour market relevant education and training. The Danish model has proven to be very useful in ensuring effective vocational education and training that meets the demands of the labour market. Also, Denmark has a well-developed labour market-oriented adult and continuing education system, and internationally Denmark ranks very well when it comes to employees’ and companies’ use of adult and continuing education. The close involvement of the social partners is a prerequisite for finding good solutions that are suitable for the individual member states,’ says Christiane Mißlbeck-Winberg, Senior Director, European and International Affairs, at DA.
Christiane Mißlbeck-Winberg adds that DA also sees several points of concern in the proposal:
- A number of the proposals risk creating dead weight and mismatches in the labour market. We look forward to a further concretisation of a number of initiatives and we would be happy to contribute with our experience and with examples of constructive solutions.