Presidency event (HU) - Conference ‘Skills development for smart specialisation’

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Expected Outcome: the project is expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:

• Conceptual framework of skills development for smart specialisation
• Identification of skills/training methods and target groups which can foster the implementation of smart specialisation at European and national level.
• Identification of differences between Member States and regions concerning the future directions of skills development in smart specialisation
• Best practices among Member States concerning their related, ERDF-funded projects launched between 2021 and 2027.

Expected Impact: the project should aim to contribute to the following impacts in line with Horizon Europe Strategic Plan, the European Skills Agenda, the Strategic Foresight Report 2022 as well as with EC’s Cohesion Policy’s objective 1:

• develop innovative approaches to training to emerging social and labour market needs in support of EU education, employment and sustainability policies;
• enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies;
• reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies and governments;
• enhancing growth and competitiveness of SMEs;
• having the rights skills for jobs, fostering entrepreneurial and transversal skills;
• improving the enabling framework to unlock Member States’ and private investments in skills;
• developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship
• strengthening social and economic cohesion along the twin transitions (green and digital) to address the profound shifts in the EU labour market and related skills.

Scope: Developing the skills of workers to adapt to industrial change is of paramount importance, as the competitiveness of industry depends to a large extent on the knowledge, skills, competences and creativity of the workforce. Potential gaps in skills development and mismatches between labour supply and demand directly limit job creation opportunities. Skills need to be adapted to the new socio-economic reality, education and training has to ensure that citizens are equipped with the skills they need to handle green-digital technologies.

In the present programming period, the European Commission pays particular attention to skills development related to smart specialisation. It is reflected by the fact that the ERDF provides funding for this specific objective, while the training and education-related projects have been funded so far mainly by the European Social Fund (ESF).

For evidence-based policymaking it is essential to apply the multidisciplinary approach of social sciences. This Cluster 2 conference under the Hungarian presidency can also contribute to deepen the dialogue between policymakers of regional/cohesion policy and SSH experts.

Potential goals and topics of the conference:

• Defining a framework of skills development for smart specialisation, conceptual delimitation by experts
• Identifying the challenges and bottlenecks (e.g.: green transition, industrial transition, digitalisation) that may affect the directions and expected goals of skills development
• Identifying the types of skills that could support industrial transformation in Europe by providing adequate resources
• Identifying the target groups and other stakeholders of skill development related to smart specialization

Procedure: The evaluation committee will be composed fully by representatives of EU institutions.