5
–6
Mar

Skills for a com­pe­ti­ti­ve Europe

3rd European Employment and Social Rights Forum

Organiser: European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Europe thrives when its citizens thrive. But labour and skills shortages are rising across the continent, while pro­duc­ti­vi­ty is declining.

These chal­lenges – driven by demo­gra­phic shifts, rapid tech­no­lo­gi­cal change, and working con­di­ti­ons in some sectors – demand urgent attention.

As things stand, one in three 15-year-olds struggles with basic mathe­ma­tics, barely half of all EU adults have basic digital skills, and less than 40% of adults par­ti­ci­pa­te in training.

How can we sustain Europe’s digital and green tran­si­ti­ons while remaining globally com­pe­ti­ti­ve? How can we ensure that all citizens – regard­less of age or back­ground – have access to the skills they need to thrive in a fast-changing world?

The European Employment and Social Rights Forum is your oppor­tu­ni­ty to tackle these questions head-on.

This landmark event will bring together poli­cy­ma­kers, social partners, and citizens to explore inno­va­ti­ve solutions to help align skills deve­lo­p­ment with economic and societal needs and ensure that Europe’s progress is rooted in fairness and soli­da­ri­ty.

Join us and play your part in shaping Europe’s future. Don’t miss this oppor­tu­ni­ty to con­tri­bu­te your ideas, connect with key stake­hol­ders, and drive meaningful change.

12:00 – 17:00
The EGG, in Brussels
Conference

March

2027



Mar
10–
11
09:00
Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
Konferenz

The Making of Apprenticeships

Divergence, Experience, and the Transformation of Vocational Education & Training

Dietmar Frommberger & Christoph Porcher

The conference explores the making and remaking of apprenticeships as a global historical phenomenon, tracing how pre-industrial craft training evolved under industrialisation, state-building, and changing educational ideas. It focuses both on institutional change and on the lived experiences of apprentices, masters, and other actors, and invites contributions from all periods and world regions.


Mar
/Apr
31–
1
09:00
Graz
Conference

innovativ & exzellent – Berufsbildung als Zukunftsmotor

4. Grazer Berufsbildungskongress

PH Steiermark

Möglichkeit sich zu aktuellen Themen der Berufsbildung mit nationalen und internationalen Expert*innen auszutauschen.

Call for Papers offen bis 1.10.2026

May

2027



May
18–
20
10:00
Johannesburg, South Africa
Conference

7th Crossing Boundaries Conference

Learning Across Continents: Conversations in a divided world

VETNET

Topics:

  • How do we understand the role of VET in preparing young people for work when labour markets and workplaces are in flux nationally and internationally?
  • Is this changing the nature of VET and VET curricula? Is it raising new questions on work, labour markets and education? What is core to VET that is stable across different contexts?
  • Are systems looking more similar or more different from each other?
  • What are the main factors—such as workplace organisation, changing labour markets, changing enrolment in schools and universities, and the nature of economies that are influencing different aspects of VET provision—such as curriculum, governance, partnerships, enrollment patterns—in different countries?
  • How do we connect better as researchers, and use VET research to build connection?

Dates and timeline

  • Submission of abstracts: opens 15 October 2026, closes 15 November 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: 15 December 2026
  • Submission of full paper: 20 February 2027
  • Feedback to your paper: 31 March 2027. You will then have 10 days to make the necessaries changes.
  • Conference: 18-20 May 2027