On January 20, the BRIGHTskills project was officially launched at EIT House in Brussels. This four-year initiative, led by EIT Health and co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme, aims to bridge critical skill gaps in Europe’s health industry while preparing the workforce for the ongoing green and digital transitions. The project targets key subsectors, including medical technology, pharmaceuticals and biomanufacturing, medical supplies, and digital health companies.
The BRIGHTskills consortium brings together 24 partners from 11 countries, including higher education institutions, vocational education and training (VET) providers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), healthcare industry enterprises, and labour market stakeholders.
During the two-day kick-off event, partners had the invaluable opportunity to meet in person, fostering collaboration and reinforcing their shared commitment to the project. The event provided a platform to explore the project’s core objectives, discuss each partner’s role, and initiate discussions on developing a comprehensive health industry skills strategy, needs-based training courses, and a skills observatory. This collaborative exchange laid a solid foundation for the consortium’s work, promoting a forward-thinking approach to addressing Europe’s health industry workforce challenges.
Furthermore, during the two-day event, consortium partners had the opportunity to delve into discussions about the Large-Scale Partnership for the European Health Industry. Led by EIT Health, this partnership is a pan-European network of more than 40 members dedicated to strengthening collective efforts in skills development and addressing critical gaps in Europe’s industry. The network includes academia, public authorities, and enterprises of all sizes, representing the four industry sectors. Presenters on the second day included, among others, representatives from DG GROW and EACEA as well as partners of the BeWell Large Skills Partnership which is addressing the interconnected skill gaps and needs affecting the healthcare service delivery workforce.
The BRIGHTskills project is set to make a lasting impact on Europe's health industry by addressing critical skill gaps and preparing the workforce for future challenges. Through the collaboration of diverse partners, this initiative will develop innovative strategies and training programmes that align with the evolving needs of the sector. As the project progresses, it will play a crucial role in fostering a resilient, adaptable, and competitive health industry ecosystem across Europe.
