In an exclusive interview, European Training Foundation Director Pilvi Torsti outlines a new "systemic approach" to Europe's severe labor shortages. By intertwining education, legal migration, and digital qualification trackers, the EU aims to eliminate "brain waste" and create a triple-win for host nations, partner countries, and workers alike.

Europe is facing a combination of demographic ageing, growing labour shortages and the need to make better use of the skills of millions of workers both within and beyond its borders. In this context, connecting education, labour market needs and legal labour migration is becoming a central priority for European policymaking.

In an interview with CNA, the Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF), Pilvi Torsti, explained why the European Union is increasingly adopting what she describes as a “systemic approach” to skills development and labour mobility. She outlined the importance of qualifications recognition, highlighted cooperation with partner countries across the Mediterranean, Africa, the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, and discussed how well-managed labour migration can benefit both migrants and the countries involved.

The ETF, an EU agency based in Turin, works with 28 partner countries to support policies related to skills, vocational education, training and employment. According to Torsti, the objective is to develop policies that create a “triple win” for workers, countries of origin and countries of destination.

She pointed out that the basis for the “triple win” message is provided by two new ETF reports published on 8 June, which examine how better matching of skills with labour market needs can make migration beneficial for individuals, host countries and countries of origin.

Torsti stressed that labour market, migration and education policies can no longer be treated as separate areas. Europe is experiencing significant demographic change, with people over the age of 65 now outnumbering 25-year-olds. This trend is creating increasing demand for workers and services across many sectors of the economy. As a result, discussions about migration should not focus simply on attracting workers from abroad, but on identifying specific skills, professions and sectors where demand exists.

She cited cooperation between the EU and countries such as Tunisia in tourism and hospitality, as well as Egypt, where the ETF supports long-term policies for skills development and labour mobility. In Egypt, collaboration involves both the Ministries of Labour and Education and is based on the understanding that a portion of each new generation will seek employment opportunities abroad.

A key element of this approach is the creation of “skills councils”, bringing together businesses, educational institutions and public authorities to design training programmes that reflect real labour market needs. Torsti pointed to the telecommunications sector in Egypt as an example of how companies and training providers work together with European support to develop specialised talent.

She emphasised that the recognition and certification of skills and qualifications are essential. Workers who acquire knowledge and professional experience in one country should be able to use those qualifications elsewhere. Otherwise, a phenomenon known as “brain waste” occurs, where skilled individuals are employed below their level of competence because their qualifications are not recognised. To address this challenge, the EU promotes tools such as the ESCO classification system, which helps align skills, competences and occupations across countries.

Torsti noted that the ETF’s work is not based on sending small numbers of people to Europe for training, but on strengthening education and training systems within partner countries. She highlighted the Mediterranean Skills Tracker, a digital tool under development that will bring together qualifications, work experience and skills in a single portfolio based on European standards such as ESCO and Europass, making recognition easier across Europe.

Discussing labour migration, Torsti said that the ETF’s experience over the past two decades shows that a “triple-win” model is achievable when policies are designed properly. Destination countries can address labour and skills shortages, countries of origin can benefit from remittances, knowledge transfer and stronger human capital, while migrants gain employment opportunities, experience and career development.

However, she stressed that positive outcomes are not automatic. Without proper recognition of qualifications, awareness of labour rights and access to decent jobs, migrants may face exploitation and underemployment. For this reason, sustainable and well-governed migration policies are essential.

Torsti concluded by noting that the ETF works not only with national governments but also with local authorities, employers, trade unions and other stakeholders. While the Foundation does not negotiate agreements on behalf of the EU, it provides research, analysis and networks that help connect the different actors involved in the broader ecosystem of skills development, education and labour mobility.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)