European Commission Establishes Project Group to Tackle Skills, Jobs, and Social Rights Challenges
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has established a Commissioners’ Project Group on Skills, Jobs, and Social Rights and CEC European Managers sees it as a good opportunity to advocate for leaders and managers’ roles as bridge-builders and “influencers.”
Announced on January 7, 2025, this initiative seeks to enhance collaboration across EU portfolios to develop future-proof skills, promote quality jobs, and reinforce social rights..
The Project Group’s priorities include advancing education and lifelong learning opportunities, fostering the portability and mobility of skills across EU borders, and ensuring seamless recognition of qualifications.
The group also aims to develop capabilities suited for the evolving demands of the economy and industry. By integrating competitiveness, digitalisation, and the green transition into its agenda, the group strives to position Europe as a global hub for skilled professionals and innovation.
The European Pillar of Social Rights will be at the core of the group’s guidelines to foster initiatives such as anti-poverty efforts and the development of the EU’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy. It will also tackle the workplace challenges posed by digitalization, such as Telemanagement and the right to disconnect while working on a roadmap to promote quality jobs.
In order for these initiatives to be successful, leaders and managers must be consulted and taken into account.
CEC European Managers‘ vision is that the involvement of managers and leaders ensures that the policies of the project group are grounded in practical realities, effectively implemented, and impactful across all levels of the European labour market.
Their participation as enablers and bridge-builders is integral to achieving a balance between strategic goals and operational success.
Leadership of the Project Group falls to the Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, supported by Vice-Presidents and Commissioners responsible for critical areas of the EU’s agenda.
The EU Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, will chair this Project Group.
The composition of the Group will be:
Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition – Teresa Ribera
Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy – Henna Virkkunen
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy – Stéphane Séjourné
Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms – Raffaele Fitto
Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification – Valdis Dombrovskis
Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management – Hadja Lahbib
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration – Magnus Brunner
and
Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport – Glenn Micallef
President von der Leyen retains the option to chair meetings, which may also include relevant staff from member portfolios.
The Project Group is initially established for a one-year mandate but may be renewed annually at the discretion of the President.
