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The Skills2Capabilities project is approaching its culmination with the End of Project Conference scheduled for November 13–14, 2025, in Maastricht, Netherlands. This event will convene researchers, policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to reflect on the project's insights into enhancing vocational education and training (VET) systems to better support labor market transitions across Europe.

Launched in January 2023 and funded by the Horizon Europe program, Skills2Capabilities has aimed to understand how skill systems can evolve to assist individuals in navigating transitions between jobs, employers, or sectors, thereby mitigating skill mismatches. The project emphasizes a dual focus:

• Demand Side: Identifying current and future skills and capabilities required in the labor market
• Supply Side: Examining how these capabilities are integrated into VET programs and lifelong learning initiatives.

By adopting a comprehensive approach, the project seeks to provide actionable insights for decision-makers in government and education sectors

Collaborative Endeavors and Research Highlights

The consortium comprises esteemed institutions, including the Finnish Institute for Educational Research at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, 3s Research & Consulting (Austria), University of Warwick (UK), Maastricht University (Netherlands), BIBB (Germany), Tallinn University (Estonia), Fafo Research Foundation (Norway), University of Padova (Italy), and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Key research areas have encompassed:

• Effectiveness of Skills Policies: Assessing how policies influence skill development and labor market outcomes.
• Responsiveness of VET Systems: Evaluating how VET programs adapt to changing skill demands.
• Challenges in Skill Demand: Investigating shifts in occupational requirements and emerging competencies.
• Drivers and Effects of Skills Mismatch: Analyzing factors contributing to mismatches and their implications.

These studies have been disseminated through various conferences and publications, contributing to a broader understanding of skill dynamics in Europe.

Anticipating the Maastricht Conference

The upcoming conference in Maastricht will serve as a platform to present the project's findings, discuss policy implications, and explore strategies for future skill system enhancements. Attendees can expect engaging sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

For more information and updates on the conference, please visit the official Skills2Capabilities website: