More than 10 million people across Europe have gained new skills since the launch of the Pact for Skills in 2020, with nearly 4 million individuals trained in 2025 alone, according
to the latest annual survey released by the European Commission.
Introduced in November 2020, the Pact for Skills was designed to tackle Europe’s growing skills gap while supporting the transition to a greener and more digital economy. The initiative plays a central role in advancing the European Pillar of Social Rights and aims to help the EU reach its target of ensuring 60% of adults participate in training every year by 2030.
At its core, the Pact fosters collaboration between public and private sectors. It brings together businesses, education providers, social partners, and public authorities to identify workforce skill shortages and develop targeted training solutions. To date, the initiative has mobilised a network of around 4,000 organisations, collectively investing over €1 billion in skills development across the bloc.
The survey highlights strong support for the programme, with 85% of respondents—including both employers and workers—recognising its benefits. Participants cited improved access to skills data, enhanced cooperation, and valuable networking opportunities as key advantages. Many organisations also reported expanding their training efforts, with a clear focus on digital, green, and sector-specific skills—areas increasingly critical to Europe’s labour market.
Collaboration has been a defining feature of the Pact’s success. More than 277,000 organisations have joined skills networks, helping to bridge gaps between education systems and industry needs. These efforts have resulted in the creation or обновление of nearly 46,500 training programmes, ranging from short courses to full qualification pathways.
Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs) have proven particularly effective. According to the survey, 93% of these partnerships improved alignment between local skills supply and demand, while 86% supported the shift toward green and digital economies. In Thessaly, Greece, for example, workers are being trained in fields such as smart agriculture and renewable energy. Meanwhile, cross-border initiatives like EURADRIA in Italy and Slovenia are boosting employment opportunities and regional economic growth.
Large-Scale Skills Partnerships are also making significant strides. In 2025, members of these initiatives trained an average of 26% of their workforce, reflecting a strong commitment to upskilling and reskilling at scale across key industrial sectors.
Looking ahead, organisations involved in the Pact have pledged to train 25 million people by 2030. As part of the EU’s broader “Union of Skills” strategy, the European Commission is urging stakeholders at all levels to double their efforts and expand participation.
The 2025 survey, conducted between January 7 and February 4, 2026, gathered responses from more than 1,500 Pact members across EU countries, as well as candidate and European Economic Area nations, offering a comprehensive snapshot of progress and future ambitions.