Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit qualified staff. In an own-initiative report by ECR rapporteur Anna Zalewska, adopted by a large majority in Strasbourg today, MEPs highlighted the value of vocational education and training in the context of demographic change, labour shortages and skills mismatches.

Artificial intelligence will play a key role. Lifelong learning, up-skilling and re-skilling, and the possibility of training during working hours will therefore become increasingly important. “The world is changing rapidly and a lot of work is now done online. We have to face the challenges. Preparation for the labour market starts at school, continues through vocational or higher education and continues in the workplace. Education must always be labour market oriented”, Ms Zalewska said.

She added:

“The reality is changing so fast that the world of Industry 4.0 will probably soon become the world of 5.0, and we need to adapt. It is important to support companies that help their employees develop the necessary skills. This will not only benefit them, but also the overall competitiveness of our economies.

“We need new skills, especially in the digital world. Key skills today are those related to management, programming and analysis. All this means that we will have a completely different way of working in the future.”

Ms Zalewska pointed out that the implementation of the Parliament’s recommendations is the responsibility of the Member States, which have sole competence in this area.

The text was adopted by 508 votes to 12, with 76 abstentions.