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Published:  5 Mar 2026

Union of Skills: one year of progress in education

Education is the engine of Europe’s competitiveness. One year ago, the European Commission launched the Union of Skills to ensure that every learner, worker, and researcher has the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

© European Union 2026

Today, this initiative is delivering concrete benefits. By putting training and skills at the heart of our strategic agenda, we are not just helping individuals grow. We are strengthening Europe’s innovation, social cohesion, and democratic resilience.

Developing basic skills and digital literacy in schools

The European Commission is committed to ensuring that all learners gain a strong foundation in literacy, mathematics, and science. Under the Action Plan on Basic Skills, several measures are currently underway to improve educational standards in EU countries:

  • Supporting national reforms: We are providing tailored peer counselling to 10 EU countries to help them modernise how literacy, maths, and science are taught.
  • Investing in learners: €12 million in Erasmus+ funding is now available to support projects that raise basic skill levels across Europe.
  • Empowering teachers: New digital education guidelines are helping teachers navigate the ethical use of AI, improve digital literacy, and teach students how to tackle disinformation.

Strengthening STEM education for strategic sectors

Innovation and productivity rely on high-level skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The STEM Education Strategic Plan provides a framework to increase the number of STEM graduates and experts.

  • New innovation hubs: We are piloting STEM Education Centres in 2026 to test and share the most effective ways to teach these critical subjects.
  • Mentoring the next generation: Through the new STEM Skills Foundries (backed by €10 million) and the STEM Tech Talent Induction, we are inspiring young people to pursue careers in high-tech industries.

Closing the gender gap in technical fields

A Union of Skills must be inclusive. We are working to ensure that women and girls are represented in the fields that will define our future:

  • Real-world experience: in 2025, 38 000 STEM apprenticeships were offered to girls and women, alongside 13 000 Erasmus+ traineeships.
  • Ambitious goals: by 2028, we aim to have 1 million girls and women trained in STEM and 800 000 students enrolled in STEM programmes across our university alliances.

Connecting universities with the job market

People’s transition from education to the workplace should be seamless. The European Universities initiative is the primary engine for this change, bringing together 65 alliances and 570 institutions.

  • Flexible learning: Alliances have already created over 300 joint study programmes and 800 courses leading to micro-credentials in fields like climate change, AI, and robotics.
  • Bridging the skills gap: A dedicated €25 million Erasmus+ fund helps universities and businesses work together to ensure graduates have the skills employers actually need.
  • Fostering entrepreneurship: The EIT Higher Education Initiative will invest €70 million between 2026 and 2028 to train 200 000 students and staff in innovation and intellectual property management.
  • Attracting and retaining talent: Through Marie Skłodowska-Curie MSCA Choose Europe for Science, we expect to recruit 100 top researchers in the first phase, and 150-200 more by 2027.
Download the factsheet with more facts and figures
See the impact of the Union of Skills on the labour market

Future milestones and roadmap

The Union of Skills is a long-term strategy with a clear roadmap for the coming years.

  • By the end of 2026
    • We will launch a new Education Package to boost cooperation between schools, address teacher shortages, and support professional development.
    • A new 2030 Digital Roadmap will set out a long-term strategy for digital skills and education across the EU.
  • 2027

    We will introduce the Citizenship education framework, providing guidelines to foster democratic values and active participation.

  • 2028

    We will establish a European STEM competence framework to standardise STEM skills and learning outcomes across all EU countries.

Published:  5 Mar 2026

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