The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) urges the European Commission to ensure the “Union of Skills” initiative establishes a legally binding right to training for all workers, including on artificial intelligence, within working hours.
The green and digital transitions demand a just transition for workers. Yet, the “Union of Skills”, published today, fails to make training a right and does not provide concrete actions to implement the 1st principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights. It also ignores the Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions, which should guarantee training entitlements through law and collective agreements.
With 128 million adults in need of upskilling and reskilling, employers must take responsibility for continuous training based on evolving job requirements. The Skills Guarantee initiative is merely a first step—what’s needed is a strong commitment to training rights. Any financial support or subsidies for companies under the Skills Guarantee must be tied to strict social conditionalities, ensuring they respect collective bargaining agreements and workers’ rights.
The ETUC calls on the Commission to shift focus from vague commitments to legally binding measures, ensuring workers have paid time to train during working hours. Rather than prioritising “competitiveness,” the initiative should focus on securing quality jobs with fair wages and decent working conditions.
Moreover, qualifications—not just skills—must be central to training policies, as they enhance workers’ rights and career prospects. Training should also cover citizenship skills, equipping workers to defend democratic values, labour rights, and combat misinformation.
The governance of skills policies must be reformed. The “Union of Skills” overemphasizes business interests while sidelining worker representation. The proposed European Skills High-Level Board risks shifting control over education and training to companies. The ETUC demands a balanced, tripartite structure with equal representation for trade unions at both national and sectoral levels.
The European Commission has missed an inportant opportunity to turn its promising words on skills into concrete action. It must now deliver real solutions with urgency - including through a Just Transition Directive. The growing number of workers being left behind cannot wait until the fourth quarter of 2025.
Ludovic Voet, ETUC Confederal Secretary, stated:
“The skills needs of our society cannot be met if companies and governments shift the responsibility for education and training onto individuals.
“The recognition that education and training are an investment—not a cost—is a positive step. However, employers must be held accountable for providing free, in-work training.
“Europe has proven solutions: training must be accessible, free, and take place during working hours. Workers and their unions must be fully involved in shaping and delivering these programs—because no one understands training needs better than workers themselves.”
