ESI assesses Europe’s skills systems and their convergence

Introduction: The 2022 European Skills Index

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has released the 2022 European Skills Index (ESI). This index evaluates the performance and progress of European skills systems, highlighting areas of convergence and divergence across the continent.

Convergence and Remaining Gaps in Skills Systems

The ESI indicates a trend towards convergence in European skills development systems. However, the report emphasizes that countries still face a significant journey before achieving full convergence.

Key Pillars of the European Skills Index

The ESI is structured around three main pillars:

1. Skills Development: This pillar focuses on the formation of skills through education and training.
2. Skills Activation: This assesses the transition of people from education to the labor market.
3. Skills Matching: This examines how well people’s skills and qualifications match the needs of the labor market.

We break these pillars down into six sub-pillars and 15 measurable indicators, which provide detailed insights into policy monitoring and development.

Methodological Integrity and COVID-19 Impact

This year’s ESI has undergone an independent statistical audit by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, ensuring that the methodology and results are sound and robust. The index explores the impact of COVID-19, noting early signs of its effects, particularly in skills activation, where countries with weaker skills systems have been the most adversely affected.

Significant Findings and Future Implications

The report finds that, while skills matching has shown significant improvement over time, the long-term consequences of the pandemic, such as challenges for younger individuals entering the labor market, may manifest in future years.

Rankings and Areas for Improvement

The 2022 ESI categorizes countries into four broad performance groups. Despite these rankings, the report notes that all countries have considerable potential for improvement in all aspects of their skills systems.

Conclusion: The Role of Skills Systems in Transition

Cedefop expert Ilias Livanos highlights that the new ESI release is timely, coming as Europe navigates digital and green transitions amidst ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. We posit that solid skills systems respond critically to these transitions, highlighting the need for continuous development and adaptation in skills policy and practice.

Source: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training