Transversal skills and key com­pe­ten­ces such as critical thinking, problem-solving and digital literacy cut across sectors, fields, tasks, eras and lives. When moder­ni­s­ing education and training systems, it is crucial to adopt a lifelong learning approach and introduce reforms holi­sti­cal­ly: this prevents exclusion and ensures a common and steady path towards sus­tainable learning societies. Indeed, a fun­da­men­tal endeavour of education is to equip learners with the necessary (trans­ver­sal) skills to navigate modern seas.  The live stream will be followed by a moderated written dis­cus­sion, hosting the con­tri­bu­ti­ons of our EPALE community members. Through this online dis­cus­sion, we will discuss how skills, com­pe­ten­ces and attitudes ulti­m­ate­ly enable people to find ful­fill­ment in their lives and adapt to fast-paced changes — beyond labour market par­ti­ci­pa­ti­on. Skills, whether voca­tio­nal or social, technical or key com­pe­ten­ces, help adults cope with current crises and make them more conscious about their potential in society. This, in turn, enhances demo­cra­tic par­ti­ci­pa­ti­on and streng­thens both com­mu­ni­ties and social life.