Skills for all: Bridging economic growth with social inclusion through the Union of Skills
In March 2025, the European Commission launched its Union of Skills Strategy, a plan designed to ensure that people and businesses have the right competencies to meet the evolving needs of the labour market, boosting both competitiveness and social inclusion.
The strategy underlines that the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the labour market results in “untapped potential in the EU labour force”. It also identifies care workers among the 42 occupations with EU-wide shortages, further stressing that the sector suffers from persistent skills gaps and a simultaneous rising demand for long-term care.
This position paper presents EASPD’s perspective on these two challenges. It explores how the Union of Skills Strategy can be leveraged to improve access to inclusive, high-quality education and training for people with disabilities. It also addresses the urgent need to upskill and reskill the care and support workforce to respond to emerging challenges and to advance the shift towards community and rights-based approach.
Finally, the paper outlines the key role EASPD can play in supporting the European Commission and its Member States in implementing the Union of Skills Strategy.
Citation:
EASPD. (2025). Skills for all: Bridging economic growth with social inclusion through the Union of Skills
Authors:
Clara Massé, Junior Policy Officer, clara.masse@easpd.eu
Konstantina Leventi, Head of Policy, konstantina.leventi@easpd.eu
Date:
Brussels, August 2025