Second European Vocational Skills Week launched

From 20 to 24 November 2017, the European Commission is organising the second European Vocational Skills Week, building on the success of last year's initiative.

The objective is to inspire people to discover, use and improve their talents and abilities through vocational education and training (VET). Encouraging people to consider VET as first choice in their career path is one of the ten key actions proposed by the Commission under the New Skills Agenda for Europe, which has been rolled out since June 2016.

During the European Vocational Skills Week, the Commission showcases high-quality initiatives that aim at equipping people with the skills they need in a fast-changing labour market. More than 1000 events are taking place across Europe – in all 28 EU Member States, as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and EU Candidate countries.

The European Pillar of Social Rights, proclaimed only a few days ago by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission at the Social Summit in Gothenburg, recognises the importance of acquiring the right skills, by putting education, training and life-long learning as very first principle of the twenty principles under the Pillar of Social Rights.

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, said: "In a smart working world, vocational education and training is a smart choice. The perception that VET is the "poor neighbour" of a university education is mistaken. It is not a poor neighbour, it's an equal! The Second European Vocational Skills Week will put a wealth of opportunities and experiences from across Europe in the limelight to show that VET and apprenticeships are a great first choice."

The week has been organised with the strong involvement and support from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and the European Training Foundation.