E-skills for the 21st century: fostering competitiveness, growth and jobs / Communication from the Commission

For the European Union and its Member States to remain successful in a global economy characterised by rapid technological change, more efforts will be needed to raise and widen the level of e-skills of our workforce and our citizens, which is one of the foundations of a knowledge-based society. This will require major, sustained efforts by both Member States and stakeholders applied to a range of policy issues.

The long-term e-skills agenda proposed in this Communication includes key components to serve as an inspiration for the development and implementation by Member States and stakeholders of consistent and long-term e-skills policies and measures.

The Commission will support the implementation of five action lines by concentrating on activities bringing addedvalue at EU level. The Commission will organise a major conference in 2008 to report on progress, present the results of the actions and discuss the way forward. It will also release a report in 2010 based on the results of an independent evaluation and the assessment of the stakeholders.

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - E-skills for the 21st century: fostering competitiveness, growth and jobs