Cities Are Essential for Achieving the EU’s Skills Goals
The EU has recognised an urgent need to enhance skills. In 42 professions—including those in construction, healthcare, technology, and IT—there is a shortage of workers. At the same time, one in five adults struggles with reading and writing.
The Union of Skills Initiative serves as the EU’s skills strategy to address these challenges. However, cities also play a crucial role in identifying skills needs and spreading effective practices across all levels of education. Europe’s talent must not go to waste.
To successfully achieve the EU’s skills goals, cities and their needs must be strongly considered in related initiatives. However, no city can tackle these challenges alone—EU support and a shared vision are needed. These topics were discussed when Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor for Education, Johanna Laisaari and Vantaa’s Deputy Mayor in Education, Katri Kalske visited Brussels at the end of March during the Eurocities Cities’ Social Summit.
Finland’s capital Helsinki plays a particularly significant role in this effort. As Helsinki, we are not only an education provider but also responsible for public employment services. We have a huge responsibility for skills and competitiveness, and the EU must recognise this
Johanna Laisaari, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki
“The aims of the Union of Skills correspond closely with the topics Vantaa has also focused on in education and continuous learning, e.g. in our basic education and Competence Campus development. For the EU and the cities to achieve these goals together, we need concrete funding opportunities”, says Vantaa’s Deputy Mayor in Education, Katri Kalske.
Cities must be included in the upcoming initiatives and pilot programs of the Union of Skills, such as the European School Alliances Pilot, which—if implemented effectively—could enhance school collaboration across countries. The well-established Erasmus+ program must also continue with strengthened funding to ensure that progress made at the European level is not lost. These programs are not only about improving students’ skills but also about the development of education providers.
We encourage the Commission to gain skills intelligence by an active dialogue between the industry and the education providers – both in EU and the local level. Cities are in the heart of this dialogue.
In STEM education we have a high performance rate in Finland but we are already seeing a growing gap between the skills needed and the skills provided
Katri Kalske, Deputy Mayor of Vantaa
“Skills are one of the EU’s key competitive advantages. Cities have much to contribute because they understand the skills needs of their regions best. If we want to achieve the Commission’s goal of 60% of adults participating in reskilling, direct EU funding for cities must be made available,“ says Janne Leino, Director of Helsinki EU Office.
Beyond funding, the EU should establish a network for cities, providing real added value and enabling the exchange of best practices in skills development.
“Of course, this responsibility does not fall on the EU alone. Finnish cities must also do their part. We must be active participants,” concludes Laisaari.
More information: Hilu Kangas, hilu.kangas@helsinki.eu
Photos: Copyright Eurocities 2025