SkillsPULSE, understanding skills deficiencies in Europe
Over the next three years, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini will contribute to addressing gaps in the understanding of skills deficiencies in Europe by coordinating the project Skills - Predicting, Understanding, and Locating Shortages in Europe (SkillsPULSE). Funded through Horizon Europe, EU's key funding programme for research and innovation, the project has officially been launched through a kick-off meeting on 10 July 2024.
Under the supervision of Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, seven partners from seven different European countries – University of Tartu (Estonia), University of Lodz (Poland), Economic and Social Research Institute ESRI (Ireland), National Centre for Social Research EKKE (Greece), University of Pisa (Italy), University of Jyväskylä (Finland), and University of Warwick (United Kingdom) – will work together to provide a conceptual review of skills shortages and gaps, and devise a means of measuring their incidence and the extent to which they are likely to arise in the future as a consequence of key changes in the economy, notably digitalisation.
More specifically, the project will provide a methodology for identifying the extent, causes, and implications of skills deficiencies in Europe. To achieve this objective, a series of indicators, including a Skills Shortage Index, will be developed and incorporated into a software tool to by used by those responsible for labour market skills intelligence at both national and European levels.
Within the current scenario, it is in fact crucial to identify, measure and address skills' gaps across different jobs, sectors, and regions in Europe, in order to mitigate their impact and boost productivity.
There is often a tendency to regard kills shortages and gaps as temporary issues, that will resolve over time without intervention. Evidence, however, suggests otherwise. In fact, this kind of challenges – such as the difficulty for employers to find qualified candidates and the lack of necessary skills among existing employees – persistently hinder individual careers, business performance, and the overall economy.
SkillsPULSE will contribute to the European Skills Agenda by strengthening skills intelligence, facilitating strategic upskilling and providing the evidence base for the development of new training opportunities for young people in emerging Stem areas, and by providing tools for the development of policy initiatives in the areas of education and skills, that can help drive growth in European innovation and competitiveness.
As project coordinator, Fondazione Brodolini is responsible for overseeing the overall management of the project, ensuring effective coordination among consortium members, and guiding the project towards its objectives.
In addition, FGB will lead the development of the Skills Deficiencies Index and is also in charge of the communication, dissemination, and exploitation of the project's results, which will all be shared on SkillsPULSE's official website.
