Launched in May 2023, the European Year of Skills provided renewed impetus to the EU’s efforts to address labour shortages across member states. The initiative also aimed at promoting greater accessibility to the EU labour market from abroad. However, challenges remain, and persisting skills gaps must be addressed while ensuring that proposed and ongoing initiatives are effectively implemented.

As the Year of Skills draws to a close, this in-person conference will take stock of its achievements and assess future priorities across three panels: EU attractiveness in the world; the effectiveness of EU labour mobility initiatives, and partnerships for skills mobility and the development agenda. Key questions will include: what is the EU’s competitive edge compared to other major global destinations for talent? What benefits and challenges do existing EU initiatives pose for enhancing mobility, and what is their overall added value? How to better align priorities as well as maximise the international partnerships for all actors?

Confirmed speakers:

• Massimo Maesen, Partner & Practice Leader Belux & Attorney, Expat Management Group, Mobility Solutions
• Joonas Halla, Business Development Manager, Business Finland
• Ola Henrikson, Regional Director, Regional Office for the EEA, EU and NATO, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Damian Boeselager, Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA Group
• Anita Vella, Head of the Legal Pathways and Integration Unit, DG HOME, European Commission
• Maria Vittoria Garlappi, Senior Human Capital Development Expert, Skills and Migration, European Training Foundation (ETF)
• Jason Gagnon, Head of Unit, Migration and Skills, OECD Development Centre
• Salima Bensalem, Head of International Placement, ANAPEC
• Jessica Sbrissa, External Relations Expert, International Unit, Le Forem

Other speakers to be confirmed

Time: 09.15-15.30 CET
Venue: Enabel – Rue Haute 147, 1000 Brussels (salle SOKONI)

Places are limited, so we kindly ask you to register here as soon as possible. Due to high registration volumes and limited space, we cannot guarantee your attendance. Only once your registration has been approved, will you receive a confirmation email. A complete agenda and further details will then be sent to you in due course.