The year 2023 has been designated as the European Year of Skills, as proposed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. This decision aims to promote the importance of continuously improving skills and abilities, which is crucial for sustainable development and innovation. The official launch of the year was celebrated on May 9, during the European Skills Day Festival, where representatives from different countries shared their experiences of developing new skills and how it helped their careers.
Diia.Digital Education: A Key Initiative of Ukraine
Ukraine has also joined the countries participating in the festival. Valeriia Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration, said about Diia.Digital Education. It is one of the key initiatives of the Diia ecosystem. Diia.Digital Education will be relaunched on May 17. The platform has over 1.5 million users already studying, and the relaunch aims to introduce new sections with educational products in the format of interactive simulations and educational content about professions. The platform update is based on European standards and will include an English-language version. Preparing citizens for future skills is a priority for the Ministry of Digital Transformation, as the country seeks to address the digital divide among Ukrainians.
Improving Skills for the Future
The transformation of jobs under the influence of various factors necessitates the improvement of skills to keep up with changes in the labor market. Yuriy Balanyuk, Head of the National Qualifications Agency of Ukraine, has been appointed as the national coordinator of the European Year of Skills. The European Commission’s goals for 2030 include employing at least 78% of the EU’s adult population and providing basic digital skills. It is easier to get a new job or upgrade skills by keeping up with the times and developing competencies needed in the modern world.
As the world continues to evolve with various factors such as digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence, there is a need for individuals to continuously improve their skills to keep up with the changes in the labor market. By investing in training, partial and micro-qualifications, and the recognition of informal and non-formal learning, individuals and organizations can stay competitive in the modern world.