The Role of Skills Strategies in Driving Economic and Societal Progress

A recently published report of the Horizon project Skills2Capabilities deepens the comparative analysis of national skills strategies and highlights the importance of strategic, inclusive, and adaptable skills policies.

In the com­pa­ra­ti­ve part of Work Package 2 of the Skills2Capabilities project, the deli­vera­ble report by Daniel Unterweger und Eva Steinheimer sheds light on the role of national skills stra­te­gies in fostering economic growth, societal well-being, and addres­sing global chal­lenges such as digi­ta­li­sa­ti­on and the green tran­si­ti­on. The report, which analysed strategic policy documents from Austria, Bulgaria, England (UK), Germany, and Norway, provides valuable insights into the effec­ti­ve­ness of these stra­te­gies and the obstacles they face.

The research high­lights that skills stra­te­gies, designed to align workforce capa­bi­li­ties with future economic and social needs, are incre­a­sing­ly central to national policy agendas. These stra­te­gies serve as blue­prints for improving education systems, enhancing workforce skills, and coor­di­na­ting stake­hol­der efforts. However, the study finds that while such stra­te­gies can support gradual insti­tu­tio­nal impro­ve­ments, they are less likely to drive dis­rup­ti­ve, large-scale change.

Drawing on case studies from the five countries, the report unders­cores the importance of stake­hol­der enga­ge­ment and adap­ta­bi­li­ty. Conversely, the analysis found that frag­men­ted or overly rigid stra­te­gies were less effective in addres­sing emerging chal­lenges, such as the rapid pace of tech­no­lo­gi­cal change.

The Working Paper can be down­loa­ded here.

Link to the Skill2Capabilities project website.