U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager Announce U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager Announce U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force
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Mon, 12/05/2022 – 17:34

Export and investment promotion
Workforce Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 5, 2022

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Today, the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Co-Chairs U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and European Commission (EC) Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager announced on behalf of the TTC the creation of the Talent for Growth Task Force. The Task Force will help position the U.S. and EU to achieve a well-trained workforce, which is critical to maintaining our leadership in emerging and existing technologies.

The Task Force will be comprised of leaders from government, business, labor unions, and organizations that support training from the U.S. and the EU who will exchange information to learn from each other and prepare concrete and specific recommendations for the TTC Co-Chairs on how to expand talent development and training in the U.S. and the EU. Further, its work is intended to catalyze public and private sector initiatives to improve workforce development on both sides of the Atlantic

“Competition for technological leadership today demands a well-trained workforce. Training is key to creating broad participation in today’s economy. With the Talent for Growth Task Force, we will learn from each other’s successes and create new opportunities that recognize the talent of our people,” said Secretary Raimondo.

“By knowing what you do in digital enables people to create and shape digitisation. Good for people, for societies and the economies. The Task Force will help us map the skills needed to make the most of digital technologies. For workers and companies of all sizes to be able to succeed in the global economy. And for us to learn from each other,” said Executive Vice-President Vestager.

Members of the Task Force will be announced in early 2023.

Collective Need to Build a Skilled Workforce

The U.S. and EU share the goal of expanding skills training so all workers and companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can succeed in the global economy. The Task Force will help inform leaders of all sectors on how millions of workers can get the skills needed to continue to power our economies, which is built on ever-changing technological innovation.

Technology has enormous promise to create millions of new jobs, solve previously intractable problems, and create economic growth. The U.S. and the EU have paired investments in technology with investments in workforce development. Together, we can learn from each other and draw on each other’s strengths as we invest in the talent of our people.

The U.S.-EU TTC was created to provide a framework to promote coordination on U.S. and EU approaches to key trade and technology issues. The Task Force will extend that approach to the issue of talent development. The Task Force strategy and work plan will be developed by its members and will include undertakings to:

Create opportunities across sectors to share best practices, including strategies for collaboration, taxonomies, and tools for training.
Showcase training opportunities between the U.S. and EU.
Identify barriers to knowledge about in-demand technology jobs, and barriers for women and people, notably young people, from underrepresented communities to consider these jobs.
Promote a shared understanding on specific skills needs that could inspire training programs in American and European companies.
Identify and promote talent development programs for SMEs.
Communicate the benefits of participating in careers in technology sectors.

For more information about the Department of Commerce’s TTC engagement, visit its TTC site.

For more information on the Talent for Growth Task Force, please read our fact sheet

Bureaus and Offices

International Trade Administration

Leadership

Gina M. Raimondo

Tags

Secretary Gina Raimondo
European Union

Read the full report from the U.S. Department of Commerce: Read More