2023 Year of Skills ...what does it mean for you?

President von der Leyen announced this month that 2023 in the European Union will be the Year of Skills. This really is an incredible opportunity for universities, further education, industry and government to align not just on mission but in a translatable skills taxonomy to ensure that no one is left behind in this new world.

Industry is moving faster than it ever has before and so there is a constant catch up being played by education and policy to ensure we are producing the skills needed to meet the demand of business and to stay competitive. Substantial investments have been made in micro credential learning, vocational training and apprenticeships but how we measure, match and map this skills progress is key. Technology can play a huge part in this so key stakeholders without having to hold Data Analytics degrees can see the ROI on skills in real time.

So what does this investment in skills mean to you? If you are

* An individual - unlimited access to higher and further education across remote and hybrid learning models. Digital skills profiles to map your skills acquisition and opening up of opportunities to match your skills first to new industries. The European Commission are incredible active in all of these areas with the support of private companies and education.

* A company - access to skills funding on an individual basis or as part of a consortium can now be easily searched with the launch of the EU pact for skills funding portal.

* A university - connecting into a skills taxonomy that is seamless with industry to support skills gap analysis in order to build world class curriculum, attract future enrolments, connect students with alumni mentors, lower dropouts and improve inclusive employability of Graduates.

* A provider of further education - development of career skills pathing that encompasses vocational training and micro-credential learning rather than a fixed life career path. Including hard skills and soft skill development and how this can feed into transferable skills to new industries of the future

* Policy maker - ability to measure the impact of skills investment, identify real time skills gaps for future policy making and bridge the gap between education and industry.

* Rural dweller - increased access to online learning and remote work opportunities as skills are acquired through the investment in high speed connectivity. Huawei for example are investing in a Rural School for Women.

In summary, the Year of Skills is amazing for so many. Investing in skills supports an incredible circular economy if we are all speaking a common skills language and focused on inclusivity and impact. Employability will be the most accurate method of measuring the ROI in skills development coupled with happiness aka attrition levels.

A happy, skilled and inclusive European Union workforce is a win-win for our wonderful President.

By 

Vanessa Tierney 

CEO Abodoo

Abodoo is an inclusive skills mapping, matching and taxonomy technology for the new world. We have the pleasure of working with education, government and enterprise in bridging the gaps on skills, gaining powerful insights for future skills investment and supporting diversity through an inclusive skills first match. To find out more PM me.