New STEAM Executive Panel starts its work

The newly-appointed STEAM Executive Panel will advise the European Commission on ways to strengthen cooperation between education and training providers, businesses and other stakeholders, and help ensure that learners develop the skills for a rapidly changing labour market.

STEAM is used as an umbrella term for educational approaches that integrate STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and connect them with broader disciplinary perspectives, including the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Members have been appointed by the Commission following an open call for experts.

Activities

• advise on how schools, universities, training providers and businesses can work more closely together
• advise on policies that support the development of flexible, adaptable STEM graduates for a fast-changing world
• identify strategies to increase participation in STEM and STEAM studies at all levels of education
• strengthen cooperation between education providers and businesses to increase interest and uptake in STEM fields
• contribute to the annual STEAM Education Outlook, helping translate the goals of the STEM Education Strategic Plan into practical recommendations and actions
• its work will also inform the European Skills High-Level Board

First meeting of the panel

On 6 October 2026, the panel held its first meeting. Participants exchanged views and provided recommendations on how to widen participation in STEM studies and careers, and strengthen the role of STEAM education in supporting Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and capacity for sustainable transformation.

A policy brief with key conclusions of the meeting will be published later this month.

Aligning skills, meeting demand

As technology evolves, demand for qualified STEM graduates in vocational education and training (VET) and tertiary education is rising sharply, particularly in areas such as information and communication technology (ICT).

Promoting STEM education is key to ensuring that learners acquire the knowledge, skills and competences needed to succeed in a rapidly changing labour market. STEM education also needs to remain inclusive and accessible to all, especially women and girls, who are still underrepresented in these fields.

Stronger cooperation between education and training providers, businesses and other stakeholders will help keep learning pathways relevant, responsive and aligned with labour market needs, while supporting equal opportunities, competitiveness and social cohesion across Europe.

Selected members

23 applicants from the open call for experts were chosen by a selection committee from the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC).

In addition, Delphine Rudelli (CEEMET) has been appointed by DG EAC as Chair of the Panel.
187 total applications were received, out of which 157 were eligible.

Social partners

• Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based Industries (CEEMET)
• Gesamtmetall
• European Federation for Education Employers (EFEE)
• IndustriAll
• European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

Next steps

End of October 2026:

• a policy brief with key conclusions from the first meeting

Spring 2027:

• the panel’s next meeting
• publication of the main deliverable: “A STEAM Education Outlook”

Follow the panel's work on the Commission's register of expert groups and other similar entities.

Background

The panel was announced under the March 2025 STEM Education Strategic Plan, which aims to help reverse the decline in STEM performance and participation, and strengthen Europe’s competitive edge in these fields.

The plan is part of the Union of Skills and the STEAM Executive Panel contributes to the work of the European Skills High-Level Board.