Europe's skills revolution starts in its regions

At this launch event, hosted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Cedefop will present a new European skills intelligence tool for the first time: the Regional Skills Ecosystems index (RESET). RESET gives policymakers, decision-makers and other stakeholders in regional skills ecosystems unique comparative information about skills performance in their region and opportunities for improvement. RESET uses comparative data for 244 European NUTS2 regions.

RESET is based on the fact that national averages can hide significant regional disparities. Two regions within the same country can face very different realities. For example, one may have a well-qualified workforce but too few suitable jobs, while another may have strong employer demand but struggle to find people with the right skills. RESET makes these regional differences visible. It lets users explore regions through interactive maps and charts, compare them with one another, and examine more closely what is driving their results. 

RESET is aimed mainly at those who shape decisions on skills, education, training and employment: regional and national authorities, vocational education and training (VET) providers, and organisations working with businesses and workers. It is equally relevant to European policymakers seeking to identify which regions face particular challenges and where investment or support could have the greatest impact. Businesses and other organisations with an interest in their local workforce can also use RESET to understand their region's skills situation better. 

In this way, RESET can support better decisions on training, employment, and investment. It can also strengthen cooperation between education providers and employers, while helping regions across Europe prepare for the skills implications of digitalisation and the green transition. It may also contribute to the creation of high-impact regional and sectoral skills ecosystems (Skills Partnerships for Adult Reskilling, SPARKs), as advocated by the European Skills High-Level Board. 

Participants in the event will explore the new index, its findings, and its policy implications in depth. Cedefop staff will give presentations tailored to the needs of regional stakeholders and moderate a debate with panellists and CoR members. The event will raise awareness of the importance of data-informed decision-making in regional settings and improve understanding of how regional skills ecosystem performance can be strengthened. After the launch, RESET will be freely available on Cedefop's website.

Register below to attend the event.