As part of the Pact for Skills European community, on March 3-4, we attended the European Employment and Social Rights Forum 2026, organised by the European Commission’s Employment DG. The forum is one of Europe’s most important platforms for discussing competitiveness, skills development, and education strategies for the upcoming years.
Running multiple parallel sessions, the forum brings together policymakers, educators, industry representatives, and innovation leaders to share best practices, project insights, and approaches to upskilling at all levels of education.
By participating, we engaged with sessions specifically designed for the Pact for Skills, gaining insights into how public-private collaboration and industry-education cooperation can help Europe address the evolving needs of the workforce.
The forum’s programme emphasised the Union of Skills, Europe’s strategy for education and skills development in the coming years, alongside discussions on competitiveness and fostering a workforce equipped with digital, technical, and transversal skills.
The first day included welcome remarks from the Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and an opening speech from the President of the European Commission. A keynote speech on “A Social Europe for Prosperity” by the former Prime Minister of Italy, further highlighted the strategic importance of aligning education, skills, and employment policy.
Furthermore, sessions also addressed quality jobs and fair labour mobility, featuring introductions by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, and a high-level panel discussion with a Member of the European Parliament, the General Secretary of ETUC, the Director-General, BusinessEurope, the Director of People Success, Deel, and the Head of Policy Advocacy, Adecco Group.
The discussions underscored the need for upskilling at all levels of education, skills intelligence, and enhanced collaboration between public and private actors, ensuring that Europe’s workforce remains competitive and prepared for the challenges of a rapidly evolving labour market.
The forum also showcased insights from Centres of Vocational Excellence (COVEs), highlighting practical examples of how innovative skills programmes can be scaled and adapted across sectors, while emphasising the value of networking and knowledge exchange.
Participation in the European Employment and Social Rights Forum 2026 reinforced the importance of building strong education-industry linkages and evidence-based skills strategies. The forum provided a space to share experiences, exchange ideas, and explore actionable initiatives that contribute to Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth.
For us at MeOut, attending the forum strengthens our commitment to fostering innovation-driven education projects and supporting initiatives that empower learners, educators, and professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Engaging with the European network of skills stakeholders allows us to continue building programmes that create impact at local, national, and European levels.
As Europe continues to implement the Union of Skills strategy, forums like this will play a pivotal role in guiding upskilling and lifelong learning initiatives, supporting public-private partnerships, and ensuring that education and training systems remain responsive to the needs of the workforce and society.
By staying engaged in these strategic discussions, we remain committed to driving innovation, education, and skills development across Europe, helping shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
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