Your opportunity to influence the Key Competences framework in the EU

The European Commission has launched a public consultation which will run until 19 May 2017. This is part of a process within the Skills Agenda, aiming at boosting human capital in Europe and updating EU - and subsequently hopefully also national - policies to make one more attempt to modernise education in Europe so that it supports what is necessary for learners' success. The review and update of the 2006 Recommendation on Key Competences for Lifelong Learning is part of this process and the public consultation is the opportunity for your voice to be heard on European level. EPA has been active in the process and will submit its own contribution, but all readers of our blog, especially our national members are encouraged to do so, too.

According to the EC announcement , this review will seek to determine which skills and competences young people need to acquire to succeed in the job market and in life, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship education. The goal is to develop a shared understanding of key competences needed (from reading and writing,  horizontal skills to digital competences) and to further foster their introduction in education and training curricula. The revision will also provide support for better developing and assessing these skills. Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics said: "Today, young people need a broader set of competences to find fulfilling jobs and become independent, engaged citizens who contribute to society. Education and training have a crucial role in enabling young people to develop these competences, giving them the best possible start in life. Participating in this public consultation gives educational authorities, policy makers, practitioners and citizens the chance to define what key competences are necessary for personal fulfilment and development, active citizenship, social inclusion and employment." The Recommendation on Key Competences contributes to the development of quality education and training tailored to the needs of European societies and will now be reviewed to reflect political, social and technological developments since 2006.

The consultation website: http://ec.europa.eu/education/consultations/lifelong-learning-key-competences-2017_en

The results of the public consultation will be published here :

http://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations_en?field_consultation_status_value=All&field_core_policy_areas_target_id_selective=1203)