European Trade Union Committee for Education

• View all news from ETUCE

The European Commission’s Union of Skills (UoS) presents an ambitious plan to strengthen education and training across Europe. We welcome the focus on education, recognizing that investment in education is crucial for Europe’s future. However, for this to be truly effective, the European Commission and national governments must work closely with the teaching profession to ensure meaningful and lasting change.

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, we also acknowledge the necessity of investing in European security and welcome the EU’s continued support for Ukraine. However, this must not come at the expense of essential public investment in education and the wider public sector. High-quality education is a public responsibility, and its funding should remain a priority. The right to quality inclusive education is a fundamental human right for all and should not be undermined by the proposal to attract and retain only the ‘top talent and brightest students’.

Education is not only an economic asset but the foundation of democracy and thriving societies. ETUCE Director Jelmer Evers:

“As a teacher, I have seen the mistakes resulting from this narrow focus happen so many times in the classroom. It has had disastrous results for my students and my profession. As John Dewey famously said, 'Democracy needs to be reborn in every generation, and education is its midwife.' The UoS must go beyond a narrow skills agenda and recognize education’s role in fostering active citizenship, sustainable development, critical thinking, and social cohesion. Europe needs to prepare to build thriving societies and prevent crises, not just react to existing ones.”

While an innovative economy is key to a strong Europe and a fair deal for workers, a narrow focus on basic skills is problematic. Evers:

“Research and national experience have shown that a broad and holistic curriculum—including many subjects, with a strong knowledge base and diverse pedagogical approaches—is the best way to build high-quality education systems, support students, and develop essential skills. Countries that have focused too narrowly on basic skills have seen a narrowing of the curriculum, reduced professional autonomy for teachers, and declining international education outcomes. Europe must avoid repeating these mistakes.

The Union of Skills carries the risk of setting us on this path at a European level. We urge national governments and the Commission to rethink this narrow focus together with the teaching profession and other stakeholders.”

We appreciate the recognition of teacher shortages, particularly in STEM fields. However, this strategy will only succeed if it addresses precarious employment conditions in education. Too many teachers face a lack of professional autonomy, short-term contracts, low salaries, high workloads, and limited career prospects, which make it difficult to attract and retain talent. At the same time, the absence of a guaranteed right to training for education staff is a missed opportunity. Ensuring stable jobs and lifelong learning opportunities for teachers is essential to maintaining excellence in education and building an attractive profession.

With regard to the governance of the Union of Skills, it seems that business interests are given unprecedented influence over our education system. Evers:

“Looking at the unleashed oligarchy in the United States and the effect it has on democracy, institutions, and public education, handing over the education of our children to business interests does not seem like a road that the EU should embark upon. All stakeholders should be involved, including business, but the balance now seems completely skewed towards business interests.”

As discussions on the Union of Skills move forward, we call on EU policymakers to:

• Involve the teaching profession through their education trade unions in all stages of education and training governance, including in the High-Level Skills Board.
• Build an attractive teaching profession by improving job security, salaries, working conditions, professional autonomy, and professional development.
• Ensure meaningful social dialogue with the Commission, governments, and employers by involving education trade unions in all policy decisions.
• Guarantee a right to training for all education staff through clear commitments and funding.
• Uphold public education as a common good, and diplomas and qualifications as a foundation for lifelong learning.

Ultimately, this initiative will only succeed if the Commission actively engages with teachers and education unions. We look forward to working with the Commission to make sure the Union of Skills truly benefits students, teachers, and European society as a whole.