EU Ministers to meet in Herning during EuroSkills 2025
When Europe’s most talented young skilled professionals gather in Herning for EuroSkills 2025 this September, the city will also become a political focal point as EU ministers responsible for vocational education and training (VET) meet for an informal summit.
As part of Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Minister for Children and Education, Mattias Tesfaye, has invited his European counterparts to Herning on 11–12 September to discuss the future of skilled labour across Europe.
“I am excited to welcome EuroSkills to Denmark for the first time. It’s a major competition that celebrates the young people who excel in their trades—and it demonstrates the value of vocational education. Hosting a meeting with my EU colleagues alongside EuroSkills is a natural fit. It gives us the opportunity to discuss how we can make VET even more attractive across Europe,” says Mattias Tesfaye.
The meeting will be held at MCH Herning Kongrescenter, right next to the EuroSkills 2025 venue, and aims to highlight the crucial role of vocational education and training in Europe.
Ministers to visit the Competition
On Friday 12 September, the EU ministers will visit the EuroSkills 2025 competitions. Here, they will witness 600 of Europe’s most talented young skilled professionals competing live.
This is a moment of pride for Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Chair of EuroSkills Herning 2025:
“EuroSkills is, in itself, the most important summit for young vocational athletes across Europe. It’s a unique event that generates political awareness of the value and quality of vocational education - not only in Denmark, but throughout Europe. Holding a European ministerial meeting in Herning at the same time as EuroSkills 2025 is historic. From here, a united European message will be sent: Skilled professionals are key to Europe’s future,” he says.
Looking to the Future
The ministers’ visit is the result of a collaboration between the Danish Ministry of Children and Education and EuroSkills Herning 2025.
On the agenda for the informal meeting is how to make vocational education and training more attractive, as it is seen as a vital part of the solution to the EU’s growing labour and skills shortages. Special attention will be given to skills and strategies for the green and digital transitions.
For more information about EuroSkills Herning 2025, visit: www.euroskills2025.com.