Skills
European innovation performance is intimately linked to its people's skills and competences. Education and training have thus long been seen as key instruments to improving European innovation performance, as highlighted in the broad-based innovation strategy 
[80 KB] for the EU.
Very often, innovation and skills are only associated with science, technology and engineering. Although these skills are extremely important to European innovation, they are not the only ones needed for it to compete in a global knowledge economy. Successful commercialisation of innovative products and services also requires know-how in areas such as management, design, organisation, marketing and finance, to bring together technological and non-technological innovation.
Furthermore, an innovative Europe requires a well-educated and digitally literate workforce at all levels, with basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills. Equally important are the so-called "soft skills", including attitudes, willingness to learn, social skills and a sense of entrepreneurship.
