Overview
Now, after more than two years of activity, we can confidently say that the Skills Lab Network is delivering on its core objectives. It truly brings together experts and researchers from different institutions and countries to co-create, exchange, and disseminate knowledge.
With more than 420 experts worldwide united in one network, great research potential is being gathered and used for exploring trends and challenges in skills development. In the Eastern Partnership – of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – we are proud to be part of this big family with our 50 members.
A family-like network
Why do I use the word “family”? After 2.5 years of webinars, peer learnings, conferences, and other types of joint events, I can say that our regional network has obtained some characteristics of a family, with all its richness, but also challenges.
Some members are consistently interested in all activities of the Network. For others, their interest fluctuates. Some are more independently active, whilst others need longer explanations and incentives for their engagement. To me, this is a natural diversity that shows that the network is alive and has future perspectives.
Accomplishments
The Eastern Partnership region has established its own place within the network. Looking back, our members have participated in all events organised by the network, by other regional networks and by independent experts.
We have been present and contributed to all three annual Skills Lab ‘Live Events’. These have focused on crucial topics for us: predictions of the future (2022); AI use in education and broader contexts (2023); and the most recent topic of the "colours" of the economy.
Unfortunately, we were not able to successfully participate in the ETF Call for Joint Research Proposals involving researchers from different countries. Nevertheless, we have a great idea for joint research comparing systems of labour market intelligence in different countries of our region. We hope to have other opportunities to realise this valuable idea in the future.
Future perspectives of the Network of Experts
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is anticipated to enhance the matching process between clients and experts, providing faster and more accurate connections. Additionally, the growing demand for online and remote consultations will further drive the expansion of digital platforms.
Skills development is becoming more and more important, but also more diverse and, in some cases, chaotic. Mechanisms and tools that aim to predict and understand the trends of skills evolution in different countries and contexts are of the utmost importance.
In this regard, the Skills Lab Network of Experts – and other similar platforms – should play an important role in being centres of knowledge and methodologies. These can help stakeholders to understand the necessity, perspectives and, in some cases, consequences of skills development.
Key future skills development topics for the Network
Looking to the future, we can identify a number of key topics and trends in our region that we will be looking to work on together with our peers in the broader Skills Lab Network, including:
- Digital literacy: As technology continues to advance, digital literacy becomes increasingly important. This includes skills in using digital tools, understanding cybersecurity, and navigating online platforms.
- Green skills: With the global push towards sustainability, skills related to renewable energy, environmental conservation and sustainable practices are becoming essential.
- Health and well-being: Skills in mental health support, telemedicine, and holistic health practices are gaining importance as the world becomes more health conscious.
- Soft and transversal skills: Communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are timeless and continue to be highly valued in the workplace.
- Emerging technologies: Proficiency in areas such as AI, blockchain, and virtual reality is becoming crucial as these technologies shape various industries.
Challenges and opportunities
As an established complex phenomenon, the Skills Lab Network of Experts faces and will continue to face certain challenges. The most significant, from my side, are ‘expansion’ and ‘fragmentation’.
A numeric increase in our membership will not necessarily mean a commensurate improvement in the quality of our work or the research our experts produce. Indeed, there are potential risks of the transformation of the Network into a community of individuals who do not have the necessary level of expertise.
The risk of fragmentation, on the other hand, is that the membership of the network at a certain stage of its development will increasingly fragment according to various criteria, such as region, language, sector, sphere of professional interest etc. Such fragmentation could lead to a loss of network identity and community, undermining the potential for peer support.
One idea to help avoid both of these risks would be to agree an updated set of guiding principles to provide a clearer framework for network engagement and activity. An incentive system could be developed and implemented to direct experts’ work. It could also be worth reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the current regional approach to supporting many aspects of network activity.
Conclusion
We all believe that the network will be supported by the ETF for the next period and that all challenges can and should be transformed into new opportunities. I can confirm from our side that these opportunities will be explored and addressed by a family of experts passionate about skills anticipation and development.
Thank you, Ummuhan!!