Commissioners Gabriel and Schmit discuss role of education and training in implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights with education ministers

Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit will represent the Commission at an informal meeting of education ministers, taking place via videoconference today (22 January). Discussions will provide a contribution to the Social Summit in Porto on 7 May, organized together with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU. An inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery from the coronavirus pandemic requires equal focus on the social and the economic response.

The education and training sector has a valuable contribution to make to the recovery and to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which has education, training and lifelong learning at its very foundation. Upskilling and reskilling is one of the flagship actions of the €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Commission's communications on the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan and the Skills Agenda reflect the ambitions set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Commission's upcoming Action Plan to implement the Pillar will set out a concrete agenda for a stronger social Europe. It will support the recovery, and reinforce resilience.

It will equip people with the strong skills sets they need to seize the opportunities brought about by the shift to a climate-neutral and digital society and economy. A press conference will follow the meeting around 14h and can be followed on EbS+.

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