Upskilling Pathways - New opportunities for adults © Adobe Stock Basic skills – literacy, numeracy and digital skills – are the foundation for full participation in society and the labour market. However, far too many adults in the EU do not possess a functional level of these skills. Around a quarter of adult Europeans struggle with: basic reading and writing calculation using digital tools in everyday life Around 21% of adult Europeans only obtained a lower secondary education level at most. Without these skills and with low level of qualification they are at higher risk of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion. For that reason, the Council adopted the Recommendation on Upskilling pathways in 2016. It aims to help adults acquire a minimum level of literacy, numeracy and digital skills and/or acquire a broader set of skills by progressing towards an upper secondary qualification or equivalent (level 3 or 4 in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) depending on national circumstances). Based on information provided by the Member States, the Commission published in February 2019 a report taking stock of their implementation plans and progress. The Council renewed its commitment to support adults struggling with basic skills in the Council Conclusions adopted on 5 June 2019. In July 2023 the Commission published an evaluation package taking stock of the actions taken in response to the Council Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways. Moreover, it investigated the progress made towards raising the levels of literacy, numeracy and digital skills amongst adults as well as towards providing those who are lower skilled with further upskilling opportunities. Who is it for? Upskilling pathways targets adults with a lower level of skills, e.g. those without upper secondary education support. They may be in employment, unemployed or economically inactive, with a need to strengthen basic skills. Member States may define priority target groups for this initiative depending on national circumstances. Support to individuals To boost access to and take up of quality learning opportunities, adults with low levels of skills should have access to Upskilling pathways in three key steps. Step 1 – Skills assessment This is to enable adults to identify their existing skills and any needs for upskilling. It may take the form of a "skills audit": a statement of the individual's skills that can be the basis for planning a tailored offer of learning. Step 2 – Learning offer The beneficiary will receive an offer of education and training meeting the needs identified by the skills assessment. The offer should aim to boost literacy, numeracy or digital skills or allow progress towards higher qualifications aligned to labour market needs. Step 3 – Validation and recognition The beneficiary will have the opportunity to have the skills she or he has acquired validated and recognised. How does it work? Delivery is built on existing structures and varies across Member States. Many countries already offer elements of Upskilling pathways and will build on this as they implement this initiative in cooperation with social partners, education and training providers, and local and regional authorities etc. Delivering the initiative is based upon: effective outreach guidance support measures EU support to Member States Mutual learning The Mutual learning workshops are capacity-building events to support Member States in the implementation of the Council Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways by building up national networks: 2017/2018 edition with the participation of Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain 2018/2019 edition with the participation of Belgium (French-speaking community and Flanders), the Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Slovakia 2021 edition with the participation of Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Spain Each delegation was led by representatives of Education and/or Employment ministries and composed of other key stakeholders such as adult learning providers, public employment services, social partners and the European Social Fund’s managing authorities and supported by an independent country expert. EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) calls The European Commission supported the implementation of the Recommendation also through dedicated calls for proposals under the EaSI programme. Awarded projects can be found on the Awarded grants section of the website. Technical Support Instrument (TSI) Member States can also submit projects for structural reforms, in line with Upskilling Pathways implementation, through the Technical Support Instrument, managed by the European Commission´s Directorate for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM). In addition, the EU supports those implementing the Upskilling pathways through: European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Erasmus+ European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) Just Transition Fund Recovery and Resilience Facility The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people. With a budget of almost EUR 99.3 billion for the period 2021-2027, the ESF+ will continue to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies, including structural reforms in these areas. The European Skills Agenda Adult education and training is a crucial component of the European Commission's long-term strategy. Upskilling pathways was the main legislative proposal of the Skills Agenda for Europe, adopted in June 2016. It is also recalled, as part of the Skills for Life Action, in the European Skills Agenda released in July 2020, the current EU skills policy framework. European Pillar of Social Rights and its action plan The Upskilling pathways initiative is a key building block of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which promotes equal rights to quality and inclusive education, training and life-long learning, in order to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan turns the Principles into concrete actions and proposes targets for the EU to reach by 2030. Only 37% of adults were participating in learning activities in one year in 2016. For the low-qualified adults this rate only reached 18%. Thus the European Pillar of Social Rights Actions plan sets the following related targets, which were welcomed by EU leaders in the May 2022 Porto Scial Summit: at least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year at least 80% of those aged 16-74 should have basic digital skills, a precondition for inclusion and participation in the labour market and society in a digitally transformed Europe Council Resolution on a new European agenda for adult learning 2021-2030 Council Resolution on a new European agenda for adult learning 2021-2030 outlines a vision of how adult learning should develop in Europe by 2030. One of its priority areas is quality, equity, inclusion and success in adult learning. Growing together The Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE) is a multilingual open membership community for adult learning professionals in Europe. As well as a wealth of information about good practices, EPALE hosts communities of practice – online groups where people with similar interests from the adult learning sector can get together to make a difference by building a common space for exchanging information, opinions, and good practices.