By 2020 Europe will have more than 800,000 vacant jobs in the digital sector. These jobs will remain unfilled despite high unemployment rates. Almost half of the population in Europe has no or low digital skills, while 20% have never used the Internet. This reality serves as a wakeup call demanding action. For this reason, the European People’s Party is launching a campaign to encourage Member States to take action and inspire all EU citizens, in particular the youth, elderly, and women, to invest in and develop digital skills to fill the jobs of the future. “As digital technology is rapidly changing labour markets, we must anticipate and face this new reality. Digital skills will provide people with more job opportunities and equip them to succeed in a digital era,” said EPP President Joseph Daul. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker added: “I fully support the EPP’s eSkills agenda. Nowadays, digital technology affects every walk of life, every line of business. We have to empower citizens and job seekers to make full use of it. Now is the time.” As the basis for the campaign, the EPP has adopted a policy paper titled “Boosting eSkills – decoding its potential” alongside a video putting forward proposals to address these challenges. “I want a Europe that leads us forward, that seizes all opportunities, that offers a fair chance for all the people of Europe. I want a digital Europe,” concluded the EPP President. *The EPP fully supports the European Commission Digital Single Market Strategy initiative adopted earlier this year.  


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For more information contact:

 

Alexandra Henman

Deputy Spokesperson

+32 471 90 76 84

alh@epp.eu

 

Angelos Athanasopoulos

National and Regional Press Director

+32 471 90 76 35

aa@epp.eu