MEPs adopt position to make sure workers have the right skills to address strategic challenges

The Commission proposed changes to the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) to give EU-countries incentive to use ESF+ funding for skills development the defence and industrial decarbonisation sectors, and to give additional support to regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. In their negotiating position, adopted with 32 votes in favour, 15 against and 11 abstentions, MEPs recognise the importance of investing in skills for the EU’s decarbonisation and defence industries, but also stress the need to invest in the EU’s social objectives through the ESF+. Skills development and working conditions Re-allocating resources to skills development and training in defence and decarbonisation industries will help address emerging challenges. Under the MEPs’ text, EU-countries would receive an additional on-off pre-financing of 4.5% based on their amended programme budget if they allocate at least 10% of resources to new priorities. The Commission’s original proposal sets this minimum amount at 15%. MEP also added a provision to the text stating that, when amending programmes, EU-countries have to include obligations to the beneficiaries to respect working and employment conditions. The position states that member states can decide to include support to the development of skills in the defence industry and cyber security under the new priorities. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises should have priority access to this support, MEPs say. Frontline regions NUTS2 regions...