Launched in January 2023 and funded by the Horizon Europe programme, Skills2Capabilities aims to understand how skill systems can evolve to assist individuals in navigating transitions between jobs, employers, or sectors, thereby mitigating skill mismatches. On 13-14 November 2025, the final conference of the project took place in Maastricht, with the aim of showcasing the results of the research conducted over two years by partner universities and research institutes.
The project emphasizes a dual focus, i.e. on the demand side, to identify current and future #skills and #capabilities required in the labour market, and on the supply side, to examine how these capabilities are integrated into VET programs and lifelong learning initiatives. It aims to test theories and provide concepts, as well as new evidence on the issue, and make an impact on IVET and CVET policies in Europe.
The programme featured a first keynote lecture by Sandra McNally (University of Surrey), who highlighted the role of VET in creating skilled workforce, as well as the challenges within the UK case in responding to skills needs through educational reform.
Pitches and poster sessions on key policy findings from the project, delved into national skills strategies, VET curricula changes, drivers of skills mismatch, VET adaptation, lessons for policy and practices and employers’ investment & return.
EfVET participated in the panel discussion, together with Inga Balnanosienė, Prof. Dr. Hubert Ertl, Glenda Quintini, Kirak Ryu. The discussion explored how vocational education, employment services, and policy can adapt to the evolving labour market. EfVET shared the perspective of VET providers in Europe, stressing the usefulness of the capabilities framework for the holistic development and wellbeing of learners, the importance of strengthening cooperation between VET providers and research, as well as convey findings to EU policymakers in view of the upcoming #VETstrategy and #skillsportability initiatives.
The conference concluded with the highly engaging and passionate keynote lecture by Stephanie Matseleng Allais (University of the Witwatersrand), who presented her research on occupations and how they impact the link between education and labour market.
EfVET is grateful for the invitation to participate in the final project conference and keeps on strengthening its work with research centres and academia on #VET, #skills, bridging between them and the European Union.
