What the new EU report means for VET and why Skills4Retail matters The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has released a major report on well-being in digital education across EU schools, sending a clear signal to policymakers and practitioners alike: digital transformation in education must be human-centred. For Vocational Education and Training (VET), this message is particularly timely. As VET systems accelerate digitalisation to meet labour market needs, learner well-being is emerging as a strategic prerequisite for skills development, employability, and long-term workforce resilience. This report marks a decisive narrative shift from 'digital first' to 'wellbeing first'; a shift that strongly aligns with the EU’s broader skills and VET policy agenda. A necessary narrative flip embedded in EU skills policy The JRC report argues that digital competence loses its value if it undermines physical, mental, or social well-being. It introduces a Model of Emerging Practices that places the human being at the centre of digital education ecosystems. This approach directly...

Applications are now open for the January 2026 intake of the Digital4Business Joint Professional Master's in Advanced Digital Technologies for Busines...

Empowering Europe's next generation Last month, the EU Code Week Consortium and Community gathered in Madrid (18-19 September) to celebrate the start ...

Strengthen your cybersecurity skills The Digital4Security Hybrid Master’s in Cybersecurity Management and Data Sovereignty is officially launching with the first cohort starting on 29 September 2025. This innovative, EU co-funded master’s programme equips early-career professionals with the leadership skills, strategic insight, and hands-on experience needed to drive Europe’s cybersecurity resilience.     A hybrid degree for the cybersecurity leaders of tomorrow The Digital4Security master's programme is career-focused, blending academic depth with real-world application. Its objective is to develop skilled cybersecurity leaders to meet Europe’s evolving needs: future professionals capable of managing risk, protecting data sovereignty, and making confident decisions under pressure. University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest will deliver this inaugural intake. Format: Hybrid - live online modules plus short, in-person intensivesLength: 2 years (4 semesters)Language: EnglishSuitable for: Recent graduates and working professionalsTarget fields: Tracks aligned with eight official ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity) profiles, from chief information security officer to digital forensics investigator, risk manager, or...

Equipping professionals for the future of retail We are pleased to announce the launch of the Skills4Retail Reactive Training Programme – a comprehensive suite of free, high-quality training resources designed to address the evolving needs of the retail sector.    A programme for a changing industry Retail is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digitalisation, new consumer behaviours, and sustainability imperatives. To support this transition, we have partnered with leading industry experts and education providers across Europe to design short, practical courses that respond directly to today’s most pressing skills requirements, focusingon equipping professionals with the skills they need right now. With a flexible, self-paced structure, the programme makes it easy for individuals and organisations alike to integrate learning into everyday activities, supporting both personal development and business growth. Courses available The programme offers a range of training options, including: E-Commerce EssentialsHuman SkillsDigital Marketing EssentialsGreen Skills for RetailResilient RetailingDigital Skills for Retail Each course is designed around real-world retail challenges and provides...

Digital skills are no longer optional: they’re business-critical That was the clear message from last week’s Digital4Business Master’s launch at the National College of Ireland, where leaders from industry and academia came behind one shared priority: equipping people with practical digital skills that drive real business impact.  As a strategic partner in this EU-funded initiative, we’re proud to be at the forefront of its design and delivery, ensuring it meets both policy goals and real business needs.  Brian Cochrane of Schuman Associates, Michelle Thompson of Skillnet Ireland, Carmel Somers of Digital Technology Skills, Professor Gina Quin of National College of Ireland, Laure Joachim of The Adecco Group, Mark Jordan of Skillnet Ireland, and Jeff Sheridan of Matrix Internet, at the official Irish launch of the Digital4Business Joint Professional Master’s in Advanced Digital Technologies for Business.  What makes Digital4Business different? The Digital4Business Joint Professional Master’s Degree equips professionals with exactly the skills...

We are proud to inaugurate “News from our projects”, a dedicated news stream sharing updates, insights, and opportunities to engage with the EU-funded projects we implement under our Project Implementation practice. Told in the voices of the projects themselves, this series highlights how our work supports Europe’s green and digital transitions. Since the launch of our Project Implementation practice in 2017, Schuman Associates’ EU-funded project portfolio has grown to encompass 12 timely and impactful initiatives in the fields of digital transformation, green transition, and skills and education. Aligned with our focal themes, this achievement reflects the trust of the European Commission, the confidence of our partners, the strength of our bid management and consortium building, and the excellence of our project implementation. A timely launch as Europe accelerates its Twin Transitions The launch of this new section comes at a pivotal juncture. As 2025 unfolds, the EU enters a critical phase in delivering on its Digital Decade targets, scaling up deployment of 5G, cloud, and AI infrastructures,...