This week, the European Commission in partnership with the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU has hosted the Fourth European Vocational Skills Week under the title ‘VET for All – Skills for Life’. The event took place in Helsinki from 14-18 October and it was aimed at continuing to encourage people of all ages to ‘discover their talent’ through vocational education and training (VET).
Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills, and Labour Mobility said “The central theme of our campaign this year is ‘VET for All – Skills for Life’. I truly believe that vocational education and training help people to start and build up fulfilling careers at any age. This is why I want VET to become a valid smart choice for both young people and adults.”
Eurodiaconia members are providers of training services and skilling interventions that often target people with lower employability or requiring specific support to reach work and social inclusion.
The key role of skills in the social sector has been constantly stressed in Eurodiaconia’s work. In 2017, Eurodiaconia published a policy paper called “Building up skills for social inclusion” to stress how a wider approach to skills is essential in order to create smarter, more resilient societies where individuals are better equipped to achieve the overarching goal of their social, psychological and personal fulfillment.
In 2018, Eurodiaconia also released a publication titled ”Promoting skills among health and social care professionals”, raising awareness of the need for more inclusive societies through high-skilled staff in the social sector. This publication showcases a number of examples of how our member organizations promote and develop the qualifications and skills of care professionals.
To learn more about this Fourth European Vocational Skills Week, please visit the European Commission’s website.
To learn more about Eurodiaconia’s position and recommendations to Building up skills, please read our policy paper.
To know more about promoting the qualifications and skills of care professionals, please read our publication.