Welcome to a pivotal month for the European skills landscape! April 2026 marks a major milestone for the COOPSKILLS project as we officially invite the public to join our initiative. At REDESSA, alongside our partners, we are thrilled to welcome you to our online Launch Event, «From Learning Cities to Learning Companies,» taking place on April 29th. This update explores what this means for our local communities and how we are addressing the pressing reskilling needs of our regions.
In Reus and the broader Spanish economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy. However, as the green and digital transitions accelerate, many of these businesses face significant hurdles. There is an urgent local need to reskill our workforce to handle the digitalization of production processes and the adoption of circular economy models. Often, SMEs struggle the most to access high-quality, relevant training. Bridging the gap between the practical skills our local market demands and the educational offerings available is crucial for the economic resilience of the “Camp de Tarragona” region.
This is exactly where the concept of a «Learning Company» becomes transformative. Inspired by the UNESCO «Learning Cities» approach, a Learning Company is an enterprise that embeds inclusive, lifelong learning directly into everyday working life. Instead of viewing training as an external task, Learning Companies foster an internal culture of continuous education. For local businesses in Reus, this means creating environments where employees can regularly update their green, digital competencies…, directly addressing the local skills gaps we face. Through COOPSKILLS, REDESSA is proud to collaborate with vocational education and training (VET) providers like DomSpain, MasCarandell and Fundació URV to turn this vision into reality. Together, we are laying the groundwork for «Reskilling Labs»—dynamic co-creation spaces where local companies can analyze their skill gaps alongside experts and design tailored, agile solutions.
To dive deeper into these innovative frameworks, our upcoming Launch Event will serve as a vibrant snapshot of European collaboration. On April 29, 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00 CET, stakeholders from municipalities, chambers of commerce, and VET providers will gather online. The event will feature a dedicated session on the UNESCO Learning Cities approach by Katie Jones from the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, followed by a roundtable discussion titled «From Skills Shortages to Shared Responsibility: Building Local Ecosystems for Reskilling». We are proud that Elena Andreu from the Chamber of Commerce of Reus will participate, representing the Spanish perspective on building local ecosystems.
The structural transformation towards a new sustainable economy can only be won if no one is left behind. Join us in shaping sustainable reskilling strategies at the local level. Register for the Launch Event and follow our journey on social media! https://coopskills.eu/from-learning-cities-to-learning-companies/
