Mariana Kühnel calls for enhanced education and training to boost Europe's competitiveness
In a recent address in Vienna, Mariana Kühnel, the Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), articulated the pressing need for enhanced education and training to secure Europe's competitiveness in global markets. Kühnel emphasised that proficient professionals are integral for managing the digital transformation, which in turn is crucial for fostering innovation and achieving economic growth.
The backdrop of these remarks was the unveiling of the EU initiative Union of Skills, presented by Roxana Mînzatu, the Executive Vice President for Skilled Labor, Competencies, and Future Preparedness. This initiative is intended to address several goals aimed at improving the fundamental competencies of young people. These goals include establishing a framework for lifelong learning, simplifying the recruitment process for professionals within the EU's internal market, recognising qualifications across member states, and enhancing Europe's appeal for skilled individuals from non-EU nations.
Mînzatu's plans will significantly focus on advancing competencies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) along with digital skills—areas that Kühnel referred to as vital for supporting the domestic economic landscape, particularly in vocational education and training. "All of this will intensively accompany us in the coming years, also at the national level," Kühnel noted, underscoring the importance of these issues for maintaining Austria’s vocational education systems.
A pivotal development highlighted by Kühnel is the EU Commission's intent to elevate the status of dual education, or vocational education and training (VET). Starting in early 2025, initial measures are set to be implemented with the involvement of social partners and industry associations, marking a significant shift towards recognising and bolstering vocational routes for career attainment. Moreover, the initiative will promote “microcredentials” as a pathway to enhance vocational education further.
Kühnel reinforced that while new EU-wide vocational diplomas and labels may be created to support national qualifications, the value of comprehensive qualifications—such as Austria's apprenticeship system—must not be diminished. "EU approaches must consistently serve to reskill and upskill, that is, for ‘re- and upskilling’," she stated, advocating for a balanced approach that enhances vocational education without diluting existing standards.
Highlighting Austria’s renowned dual training system, Kühnel remarked on its success and appeal as an educational export model. It is substantiated by Austria’s notable performance at international competitions like EuroSkills and WorldSkills. Since 2013, the country has hosted over 200 delegations from 80 nations, all seeking to learn from its vocational education system.
Kühnel brought to attention the critical role of education in an individual’s professional success and the broader economic landscape, advocating for the right to quality education as outlined in Austria's government programme for 2025-29. She argues for the need for all young individuals to acquire essential competencies for a successful job market entry.
Moreover, she stressed that educational achievement should not solely be measured by the number of completed school years. Tailored support during the schooling years is essential to ensure young people are adequately prepared and equipped for their future careers. “Union of Skills means that young people can confidently embark on their career paths with knowledge of their abilities and can shape their educational and working lives in a future-oriented way,” Kühnel concluded, pointing towards innovative digital platforms, such as the wîse up training platform, as crucial tools for achieving these educational objectives.