Yesterday I attended an MEP breakfast debate on e-skills, organized by Digital Europe.  It was an enriching debate which demonstrated the level of interest and activity that stakeholders are carrying forward to raise the profile of ICT as a key skill-set for the jobs of the future. Europe needs ICT-ready people to embrace the vision of the Digital Agenda. We need faster transition from “learning to earning” in order to drive a real long lasting transformation towards social innovation, competitiveness and sustainability. 

I firmly believe that “Education, Innovation and Inclusion” are three complementary and mutually reinforcing lines of action. We can win only if these investments go hand in hand.  The Commission showed great leadership with the funding an EU wide awareness raising campaign through the e-Skills Week kicking off on March 2nd. We as industry are grateful for that.  However, the debate yesterday clearly showed the need to sustain and extend these types of initiatives and investments.  The skills and talent game is won over the mid to long term.  As time is of the essence, we cannot further delay our actions. For more information please check out the European Commission eSkills Week website.

Stay tuned.