References on Human Capital

This document is a Recommendation for a Council Recommendation on human capital in the European Union, adopted by the European Commission in November 2025. It provides a common reference framework to guide Member States’ actions on education, training, and skills development for the period 2026–2027, in the context of the European Semester.

The document describes challenges affecting education and training systems at different levels, including:

• Declining performance in basic skills (literacy, numeracy, science, and digital skills)
• Unequal access to quality and inclusive education and training
• Shortages of qualified teachers, including in STEM subjects
• Limited attractiveness and participation in vocational education and training
• Underrepresentation of women in STEM education
• Gaps between skills acquired through education and labour market requirements
• Low participation rates in adult learning and lifelong learning

The Recommendation identifies six areas in which Member States are invited to take action during 2026–2027:

• Address skills shortages in strategic sectors
• Strengthen basic skills across all levels of education
• Reinforce vocational education and training
• Improve tertiary education outcomes in STEM fields
• Promote investment in education and skills
• Develop skills intelligence to support labour market transitions

Reference:  European Commission. (2025). Recommendation for a Council Recommendation on human capital in the European Union (COM(2025) 959 final). Publications Office of the European Union.. Accessible at https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/cb0ffdb5-1f80-4e20-a535-b2237b31f29f_en?filename=COM_2025_959_1_EN.pdf

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