Building the Union of Skills: Education as the Foundation
Neth-ER, the Brussels-based association of eleven Dutch organisations active in the fields of education, research and innovation, proudly presents its position paper: “Building the Union of Skills: Education as the Foundation”.
Neth-ER and its members welcome the Union of Skills as the European Commission’s overarching strategy for skills and education in the years ahead. Building on the Commission’s Communication and its proposed initiatives, Neth-ER puts forward four key recommendations to guide implementing these initiatives:
- Keep education at the forefront of developing future skills and recognise the importance of all types of skills
- Foster lifelong learning and acknowledge the value of diverse skills development
- Stimulate mutual and automatic recognition for all education sectors and set clear goals and criteria for the Joint European Degree and VET diploma
- Double the Erasmus+ budget to meet the ambitions of the Union of Skills and align its goals with the European Education Area
Together with Brigitte van den Berg, Member of the European Parliament, Neth-ER presented its position paper to the cabinet of Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Skills.
More recognition for VET
The event was opened by Brigitte van den Berg, Dutch MEP for Renew Europe, who called for greater recognition of vocational education and training (VET). She emphasised the need to make Erasmus+ more inclusive. The current programme is largely tailored to higher education, even though many VET students are eager to participate in exchanges. She also welcomed the recent rule change allowing vocational graduates to apply for traineeships in the European Parliament. Van den Berg also emphasised the importance of further progress in the recognition of VET diplomas. Following her remarks, Jurgen Rienks, Director at Neth-ER, highlighted the urgent need to close the skills gap due to demographic challenges and a rapidly changing world.
People as the centre of skills
Caspar van den Berg (Universities of the Netherlands), Joep Houterman (Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences), Annemarie Moons (Summa College), Antoine Reijnders (VNO-NCW), and Brigitte van den Berg participated in a panel discussion on the role of education in the Union of Skills and its connection to the labour market. The discussion began with the question of why the EU must address the skills gap and what role each sector can play in closing it. Annemarie Moons noted that 60% of the EU labour force has a vocational background, underlining the need for lifelong learning and improved appreciation of VET. From the employer’s perspective, Antoine Reijnders emphasised that demographic decline and AI are transforming the nature of work and a shift toward a flexible, skills-based labour market is essential to remain competitive. Brigitte van den Berg called for a people-centred approach to the skills debate, stressing the societal value of individuals and the need for EU-level cooperation. Furthermore, all panellists called for greater investments in Erasmus+, a recurring theme throughout the event.
Rethinking recognition in the EU
Achieving a truly skills-based labour market requires rethinking of the topic of recognition of skills, qualifications and diplomas. Joep Houterman highlighted the importance of acknowledging learning beyond formal education, for example through micro-credentials. Caspar van den Berg advocated for better recognition of diplomas and noted that the Netherlands, as part of the Benelux, has already taken steps to go beyond the Bologna Process. Recognition mechanisms such as diploma validation and micro-credentials represent important progress, but as Antoine Reijnders noted, must be embedded within a broader cultural shift toward lifelong learning. The discussion also underscored the value of a united Europe, with an emphasis on cross-border exchange of knowledge and skills.
Up- and reskilling the EU softly
Up- and reskilling people who are already in the labour market forms a key pillar in the Union of Skills. A key challenge highlighted by the panel is the constraints Dutch education institutions face under current state aid rules. Panellists stressed the need for clearer EU guidance, particularly given that other member states interpret these rules more flexibly-a point raised by Caspar van den Berg. Brigitte van den Berg referred to a similar case in the housing sector where EU clarification led to a shift in Dutch policy. As a positive example, Annemarie Moons pointed out that Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) offer a way to promote lifelong learning without triggering state aid restrictions.
It takes two to tango
The final part of the discussion focused on improving public-private collaboration and what the EU can do to support this. Annemarie Moons urged that VET institutions should be recognized for their role in research and how this is connected to industry: VET institutions have a close connection with the labour market and businesses, yet face difficulty in applying to calls. Antoine Reijnders noted that we should not only talk about the supply of education, but also about the demand. It should be interesting and rewarding to continuously develop your skills. Finally, Brigitte van den Berg called for a change in state aid rules and for EU funding to have more focus on public-private partnerships. She cited the Just Transition Fund as an example, which clearly focuses on both education and employment.
From hydrogen to human skills
The panel discussion was followed by pitches from the Dutch education sector. It began with a video about Hydrogen Works, a collaborative project within the Just Transition Fund in Groningen involving all tertiary education institutions and industry partners. Kirstin Poot, representing the IN.TUNE University Alliance, advocated for integrating arts into STEM to form STEAM. The T-shore CoVE, represented by Dáire Horgan, shared success stories on private-public collaboration, such as connecting education with the industry. Stijn van Hussen of the Dutch National Student Union (ISO) highlighted the valuable skills students gain through Erasmus exchanges, such as flexibility and adaptability. Finally, Quin Blokzijl, intern at the office of Brigitte van den Berg, shared the challenges and prejudices he faced as someone with a vocational education background working in the Parliament. He emphasised that a diploma does not define who you are.
All in this together
The event concluded with a keynote speech by Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Member of the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu. She echoed a recurring message heard throughout the event: VET must become more attractive. She reaffirmed that the Union of Skills encompasses all levels of education, from VET to universities of applied science and research universities, and from technical skills to more social skills. She stressed that, to make the Union of Skills work, the Commission needs support and input from stakeholders. She also expressed her support for Neth-ER’s campaign to double knowledge in the EU, while underscoring the importance of alignment with national ministries.
Mede geschreven door Dave Bosch.
