EARLALL participated in Cedefop Symposium: Shaping the Future of Skills
02/10/2025
Continuing skills development is becoming central to the future of work and society. With technology evolving at unprecedented speed, traditional training alone can no longer keep pace. Defining what continuing skills development should encompass, and how to adapt it to constant change, remains a major challenge.
On 1 October in Thessaloniki, Cedefop hosted its first symposium on continuing skills development. The event brought together policymakers, experts, and practitioners to exchange insights, share evidence, and explore ways to build inclusive and resilient skills ecosystems.
Mr Jürgen Siebel, Executive Director of Cedefop, and Ms Lidia Salvatore, Cedefop expert on VET for adults and apprenticeships, welcomed about 40 participants representing governments, employers, employees, and educators. Alongside EARLALL, organisations such as EAEA and the LLL Platform also took part.
The programme consisted of three sessions, combining interesting speakers with fruitful group discussions. Stakeholder dialogue: towards a shared vision and strategic objectives, stakeholder dialogue: stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities and co-shaping trajectories of action.
The vision is that by 2040, Europe will have vibrant ecosystems where lifelong and life-wide learning are part of everyday life. In these ecosystems, everyone will have the opportunity to develop their potential, boosting employability, innovation, and competitiveness.
Built on shared responsibility, civic engagement, and social dialogue, these ecosystems will adapt to different sectors and communities while reducing inequalities and promoting solidarity, democratic values, and sustainability.
As AI and new technologies reshape work and learning, they will be used to enhance human capabilities within an ethical framework that ensures inclusion, social cohesion, and meaningful participation for all.
Five strategic objectives underpinning the draft vision statement were discussed in groups. Fostering inclusive learning ecosystems through shared responsibility, building learning cultures, recognising and connecting diverse learning with work, leveraging technology ethically and supporting holistic development.
For further information, visit the Cedefop website.
