From skills anticipation to skills action : collection of articles to understand skills demand in EU neighbouring countries

The world is undergoing a period of profound change, driven by rapid technological change and digitalisation, climate change, globalisation and demographic shifts. These forces are reshaping economies and labour markets globally, albeit at different speeds. This transformation brings uncertainty, but also significant opportunities and risks that countries must manage to build more inclusive, greener, and more prosperous societies. To build more inclusive, greener, and more prosperous societies, countries must be able to manage this change effectively. In this context, understanding how labour markets and skills demand are evolving is more important than ever. Evidence on these changes is essential for designing skills development systems that can respond to future needs and improve the match between the demand for and the support of skills. To support this goal, the European Training Foundation (ETF) established the Skills Lab Network of Experts in 2021. The network is a voluntary knowledge community that promotes a culture of skills anticipation and matching in ETF partner countries. It brings together researchers, experts, and practitioners from transition and developing countries, EU Member States, and other international contexts.