Meeting in Council on Monday 12 May, European ministers and representatives responsible for education held a debate on the role of the ‘Union of Skills’ in strengthening the European Education Area (EEA).
The discussions reflected the many expectations raised by this initiative, which was launched on 5 March (see EUROPE 13593/18), although caution had been expressed about its governance.
The debate focused on how the ‘Union of Skills’ tools and European educational objectives could best complement each other, without adding to the administrative burden.
“We need to break out of this silo logic, join forces and make education the top political priority”, insisted the Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, who stressed the urgent need to act in the face of labour shortages, disinformation and democratic challenges.
While the majority of Member States expressed their support, several called for greater vigilance with regard to governance.
The French minister, Élisabeth Borne, stated that “the link between the EEA and the Union of Skills is crucial”.
Her Italian counterpart, Giuseppe Valditara, called for the five priorities of the EEA to “continue to be the compass of our action”, in particular inclusion and support for teachers.
Other countries, such as Sweden, Germany and Luxembourg, expressed reservations about the multiplication of European structures. Rather than adding new schemes, they advocate first evaluating the European schemes already in place, such as the European Education Area or existing programmes, before considering the creation of new structures.
“Existing and proven structures must be used to avoid duplication”, warned the German representative, Helen Winter. Luxembourg warned against the risk of “weighing down the current processes” with instruments such as the Skills Council or the Observatory, calling for clear, comprehensible and coordinated governance.
The fear of education being used as an economic instrument was also expressed. “School is also a place of active citizenship and social cohesion”, said Sandra Merens, the Luxembourg representative.
The Spanish Secretary of State, Abelardo de la Rosa, also stated that “not everything can always revolve around the skills needed for the labour market”. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)