Cedefop Executive Director Jürgen Siebel moderated a panel discussion on how upskilling enhances productivity in companies at the 'Making skills count' conference, a flagship event of the European Year of Skills, organised by the European Commission on 8 and 9 June in Brussels.
Mr Siebel said that 'investing in skills and upgrading jobs go together' and that a skills revolution is needed to boost the green and digital transitions. He added: 'Companies play a vital role in doing both. Those who actually do, show better results and are also more innovative. Yet only 1 in 5 companies invest accordingly in staff skills and job design as Cedefop and Eurofound's European Company Survey 2019 showed.'
Opening the conference, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit said that 'when we talk about upskilling and reskilling, a person’s motivation is key.' He also noted: 'There are a lot of people in jobs that may disappear or change; we have to invest in them.'
In a video message, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas argued that the Commission put skills at the top of its agenda from the start, noting that the current investment on skills is around EUR 65 billion.
Cedefop expert Lidia Salvatore moderated a workshop on supporting vulnerable groups at the event. The workshop explored innovative approaches to best support and engage those furthest away from learning and with basic skills.