Demographic changes, technological development and the growing mobility of workers have presented challenges across the EU and non-EU countries. The new Joint EMN-OECD Inform – Skills Mobility Partnerships: Exploring Innovative Approaches to Labour Migration explores challenges and benefits of innovative approaches and initiatives in the area of labour migration, such as Skills Mobility Partnerships (SMPs).
In 2020, the New Pact on Migration and Asylum emphasised the importance of creating new legal pathways in the context of labour migration, skills matching and addressing labour shortages. In this context, and in view of unprecedented demographic changes, technological development and the growing mobility of workers, SMPs with third countries are being considered as part of the solution to skills shortages in the EU.
The inform highlights experiences by the EU Member States, non-EU countries and international organisations with regards to Skills Mobility Partnerships, a new concept that promotes a sustainable approach to skilled migration and mobility, aiming to build skills for the benefit of countries of origin and destination. The inform presents experiences of implementing SMPs and similar initiatives in the EU and globally.