January 11, 2018

Bulgarian EU Presidency: skills for the future

The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (January 1 – June 30, 2018) priorities look into the young people and the skills that they will be needed for the future jobs.

Highlights from the Presidency six months work programme regarding Education, Skills, Entrepreneurship and employment.

European Commission package on “Modernising Education – Youth Initiative” and the progress on the New Skills Agenda for Europe and support to the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships
Promote entrepreneurship based on digital technology and innovation which has a leading role in the EU’s economic and social development. In addition, they will work on modernising the European education systems and curricula by promoting the dissemination of common European values, social inclusion by means of formal and informal learning; consolidation of the role of teachers as key actors in the educational process and their role in improving the quality and effectiveness of education; revision of the European Framework of key competences and wide-ranging introduction of information and communication technologies at all levels of the education system, promoting basic competences, including mathematics and science as a key factor for improving the quality of the education system.
The future of work in a digital and fairer Europe: The Bulgarian Presidency sees the “future of work” in identifying the right skills for the new jobs and a better planning and interaction of the policies in the area of education, training and employment with emphasis on youth employment and the skills and competences, necessary for the 21st century.
Area of employment and social policy: special attention will be given to the changing realities in European societies – negative demographic trends, the impact of technology on the labour market and the negative effects of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion. It is necessary to recognise new and innovative approaches in employment policy and to focus on youth and a better link between education, skills and labour market needs.
Area of education, youth, culture and sport council : The leading priority of the Bulgarian Presidency in the education sector is the preparation of the next generation of the EU Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport (Erasmus+). The goal will be to safeguard the level of European investment in education, including with a view to providing access to education and skills development at any age and promoting digital, entrepreneurial and creative skills. We will work actively on raising political and social awareness about the need for more investment in education and cross-sectoral cooperation, as well as public-private partnerships.