The European Parliament has underlined the importance of education in the fight against unemployment, social exclusion and poverty. In a non-legislative resolution adopted on 14 September, which contains 155 points, it calls for investment in lifelong, non-formal and informal learning, as well as digital and entrepreneurial skills.
The text was adopted with 391 votes in favour, with 80 against and 31 abstentions. It constitutes the response by MEPs to the Commission communication, “A New Strategy for Skills in Europe – Working Together to Enhance Human Capital and Improve Employability and Competitiveness” adopted in June 2016. It gives an overall welcome to the measures proposed by the Commission, but regrets the lack of funding dedicated to the implementation of the proposals in the communication. More generally, Parliament says that it is very concerned by the fact that between 2010 and 2014, investment in education and training fell by 2.5% throughout the Union.
It is also calling on the Commission to proclaim a European Year for Adult Training, as a means of helping raise citizens’ awareness about the value of adult education and “active ageing” throughout the Union. It is also suggesting that a pan-European tool be developed for forecasting skills requirements, as well as a lifelong learning system.
Momchil Nekov (S&D, Bulgaria), the co-rapporteur, explained, “The European Parliament resolution is seeking to expand the scope of the Commission proposal, which is mainly focusing on the immediate needs of the labour market. In today’s rapidly changing society and economy, young Europeans have to be equipped with the skills needed to work but also the skills needed for life”. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)