ETF director emphasizes integration of education and migration for labor needs

Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF), stated that Europe must better align education, skills, and legal migration to address workforce shortages. With citizens over age 65 now outnumbering 25-year-olds, the European Union faces significant demographic shifts. Torsti argued that labor market, migration, and education policies can no longer operate in isolation but require coordinated planning. The ETF, headquartered in Turin, works with 28 partner countries across the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, and Central Asia. The initiative focuses on assessing specific skill requirements and sectoral needs across different EU member states rather than relying on general labor recruitment. This systemic approach aims to support sustainable labor migration that benefits both host countries and countries of origin. The strategy intends to tackle the aging population crisis by matching professional qualifications with evolving market demands.