On 16 November 2022, the European social partners in the metal, engineering and technology-based (MET) sectors, industriAll Europe and CEEMET, organised a joint event in the European Parliament on equipping young people with the right skills for quality jobs.
The event was co-hosted by the MEPs Dragos Pîslaru (Renew Europe) and Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D). It brought together EU policymakers from the European Commission and European Parliament, representatives from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) and from national trade union organisations and employers’ associations.
The aim was to discuss how to better integrate young people in the MET sectors and tackle the massive labour shortages this industry has been facing for decades, and which the twin green and digital transition will exacerbate.
The discussions between social partners and policy makers highlighted several key points to better attract young people and retain them in the MET sectors:
- Quality education (especially STEM subjects) and vocational training, quality jobs and a readiness for lifelong learning are needed.
- A partnership approach is essential. Social partners are best placed to identify skills needs and Vocational Education and Training (VET) curricula must respond fast. At European level, EU institutions must involve social partners more actively in initiatives addressing the skills challenges of the green and digital transition.
- Young people and their parents should be guided into choosing a career in MET sectors. VET is not a second-best education choice.
- Skills shortages can only be tackled with sustained political will and investment in VET.
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