Careers of the Future: Lifelong Learning in the Green Transition

The New Education Forum in Brussels concludes this year's series of regional meetings organized in the European Union: Vigo in January 2024, Kraków in March, Olsztyn in April, and Valencia in November.

The closing event will provide an opportunity to:

➢ synthesize regional recommendations of the New Education Forum and

➢ take a closer look at local and regional initiatives that enrich the European educational environment by addressing two major European challenges: the impact of the green transition and the digital transformation on learning and careers’ development.

This year's NEF Brussels will focus on two key panels: necessary career changes in the context of the Green Transition and encouraging youth to embrace lifelong learning in the face of an evolving job market influenced by artificial intelligence. In the first panel, "Necessary Career Changes Due to the Green Transition and the 'Path to Employment After Coal' Program," we will analyze the urgent need for retraining workers employed in coal-intensive sectors with an emphasis on sustainable alternatives. During the discussion, quoting Frans Timmermans, Vice President of the European Commission for the Green Deal, we will emphasize that "reducing carbon emissions is not just an ecological goal but also an economic one." This will also be a space to present specific retraining programs such as initiatives in Wielkopolska, Poland that will show effective support methods for workers as well as the challenges involved. The event will directly refer to Directive 2019/944 on common rules for the internal electricity market, which promotes the transition to clean energy and supports the fair transformation of workers.

The second panel, "Encouraging Youth to Embrace Lifelong Learning in the Context of an Evolving Job Market Influenced by Artificial Intelligence," we will discuss strategies for promoting lifelong learning as a key element of youth career development. We will highlight the importance of adaptability and continuous skill improvement in the context of rapid technological changes. Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner for Competition, stated that "AI will be the biggest transformative factor of the 21st century," necessitating the adaptation ofeducational systems to new realities. The discussion will also refer to the Artificial Intelligence Act, which includes support for joint digital education that promotes the development of digital skills and adaptability in education. During the panel, we will also present success stories and best practices from various countries that demonstrate how educational technologies and partnerships can support continuous learning and prepare youth for future challenges in the job market.