MEP Sara Cerdas recently spoke at the Professional School Dr. Francisco Fernandes, in São Martinho, within the scope of the 10th Edition of the Madeira Generation Roadmap, “2023 – European Year of Skills.”
“The European Year of Skills will start with an increase in training and re-training opportunities.” This says Sara Cerdas is vital, as “Madeira needs to focus on attracting more people into the labour market to respond to the current labour shortage within various sectors. Furthermore, Madeira is one of the regions in Europe most affected by youth migration.”
The MEP also adds that in the region, according to the latest Education Indicators, “17.5% of young people aged between 16-34 are not employed, studying or training; the national rate is 10.7%.” She went on to say that “this trend must be reversed, through the creation of better opportunities within the labour market.”
The Commission this week launched its first key initiative contributing to the European Year of Skills. This is ‘Monetising existing talent in Europe’s regions’ which presents the mechanism for promoting local talent in vulnerable regions. There are two groups of regions most affected: firstly, regions that are affected by an aging working population, and secondly, a group, also at risk, relates to regions that are affected by youth emigration. There are 36 regions in this category, representing 13% of the population of Europe. Madeira is included in this group.
This year, the European Commission chose a specific theme (Skills) to stimulate debate and dialogue in the Member States, resulting in various actions and funding of initiatives. The EU wants at least 20-30% of all adults to participate annually in training initiatives, so that by 2030 employment rates will reach 78% and 80% of adults will have basic computer skills.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
