A dedicated hearing of social partners took place on 17 January on the update of the Skills Agenda.

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Around 50 representatives of the European social partners, including cross-industry and sectoral social partners, attended the dedicated hearing on the update of the Skills Agenda. The consultation meeting was held with a view to the announced initiative on skills, as also referenced in the communication on a strong social Europe for just transitions. The discussion was structured into four clusters of topics:

• empowering workers to up/reskill
• addressing skills mismatches
• strengthening collective leadership
• modernising vocational education and training

The format of the consultation meetings was developed in the context of the “New start for social dialogue” to promote the involvement of social partners in policy and law-making. The dedicated hearings are designed as a platform for an early exchange between the Commission and social partners before the launch of policy initiatives. All recognised European social partners are also invited to send written contributions.