Skills Insights Note 2025-3

A new series of short Skills Insights Notes was endorsed at the December 2024 meeting of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). These Notes will be prepared alongside the longer research studies the EGFSN typically undertakes and will provide an opportunity to publish more frequent and topical pieces of work.

The third Skills Insights Note examines two key initiatives – the European Commission’s Union of Skills and Ireland’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity – to explore their objectives and areas of alignment. Shared priorities include lifelong learning and foundational skills, digital and STEM competencies, and research-driven innovation.

Skills development is vital for Europe’s economic resilience and innovation. Over the past year, both the European Commission and the Government of Ireland have introduced ambitious proposals to close skills gaps, foster innovation, and prepare for future challenges.

These themes are critical for sustaining growth, enabling the green and digital transitions, and ensuring Ireland and the EU remain globally competitive. By identifying synergies between national and EU strategies, this analysis offers insights into how coordinated action can strengthen skills ecosystems and prepare for future challenges.