EARLALL Advocates for the Role of Regions in the Union of Skills
28/03/2025
On 27 March 2025, representatives from EARLALL met with Ms Debiais Sainton, Cabinet Member of European Commission Executive Vice President Roxana Minžatu, to emphasize the crucial role of regions in the Union of Skills. The meeting was attended by EARLALL Director Noelia Cantero and EARLALL Vice President from the Basque Government, Mr Jon Labaka, Vice Minister for VET, alongside Ms Inge Gorostiaga, Director General for Digital Transformation and Advanced Learning. EARLALL was also accompanied by representatives from EfVET and EAEA, reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing regional engagement in European vocational education and training (VET) and Adult Learning policies.
During the discussions, the Basque representatives provided valuable insights into the innovative Basque VET system. Their contributions were warmly received by the Commission, particularly regarding their readiness to participate in key Union of Skills pilot projects. Among these initiatives, the Basque Government expressed interest in piloting the European VET diploma, set to be introduced in 2026. Furthermore, the discussions covered the upcoming European VET strategy and the 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills, scheduled for release by the end of 2025.
Ms Debiais Sainton welcomed the proactive stance of the Basque representatives and acknowledged the importance of regional expertise in shaping the future of skills development across Europe.
EARLALL and its partners remain committed to advocating for the involvement of regions in European policies, ensuring that territorial perspectives contribute effectively to the evolving skills agenda.
