About the project
The Challenge
Across Europe, many adults, especially those working in declining sectors, face growing uncertainty as the shift to a green and digital economy accelerates. At the same time, companies often struggle to find workers with the right skills, while municipalities lack the tools to coordinate effective, inclusive learning opportunities at the local level. COOPSKILLS was born from this pressing need: to bridge the gap between people looking for new opportunities and the evolving demands of the labor market. The project brings together municipalities, businesses, and training providers to create practical solutions that empower adults to reskill and thrive in a changing world.
The Aim
COOPSKILLS aims to build strong, inclusive local learning ecosystems by turning companies into active players in lifelong learning. Drawing inspiration from UNESCO’s “Learning Cities,” the project introduces the concept of “Learning Companies” that open up new learning pathways for adults, especially those who are unemployed, underemployed, or transitioning from declining sectors. These companies, alongside municipalities and VET providers, play a key role in helping individuals gain the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing job market.
At the heart of the project are the Reskilling Labs, innovative spaces set up at the municipal level where public authorities, local businesses, and training organizations collaborate. These Labs are designed to deliver high-quality, accessible training tailored to local needs, with a strong focus on digital and green skills. By connecting learning with real workplace demands, COOPSKILLS empowers individuals to grow, adapt, and find new opportunities in a more sustainable and digitally driven economy.
The Objectives
As Europe navigates the shift to a greener, more digital economy, many adults risk being left behind. COOPSKILLS was created to bring public and private actors together to change that, by transforming companies into hubs of lifelong learning and setting up Reskilling Labs in local communities. The goal? To help people gain the skills they need to adapt, grow, and thrive.
The project’s specific objectives are to:
- Foster public-private collaboration by identifying and testing methods that bring together municipalities, chambers, companies, and VET providers.
- Support large-scale reskilling of both employed and unemployed workers, especially those transitioning from declining sectors.
- Focus on green and digital transitions, aligning training initiatives with the evolving demands of the modern economy.
- Establish and operate Reskilling Labs at the municipal level as local learning hubs led by key stakeholders.
- Encourage innovation in adult learning through the use of modern technologies, workplace learning, and high-quality training.
- Apply UNESCO’s “Learning Cities” principles to create “Learning Companies” that promote inclusive, lifelong learning.
