Filling the gaps: e-skills and education for digital jobs

On the occasion of the European conference "Filling the gaps: e-Skills and Education for Digital Jobs", the Commission is planning the launch of a Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs.
This European high level Conference will be hosted by:
Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of the Digital Agenda for Europe
Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship
Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth
Laszlo Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
The Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs is an EU wide multi-stakeholder partnership seeking to address the shortfall in the number of professionals with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills that are highly demanded by the industry. The goal is to increase the supply of ICT professionals by 2015, so as to ensure a sufficient number of them in Europe by 2020. In order to achieve this, the European Commission is offering to forces with industry associations and is inviting Member States, regions and concerned stakeholders (from industry, education, public employment services, various national platforms and others) to engage in this partnership.
The Grand Coalition mandate is expected to run from 2013 – 2015 with a review foreseen at the end of this term. The Grand Coalition shall pursue the developments made in recent years in the context of the e-skills strategy and give life to the Commission's announcement of the creation of multi-stakeholder partnership in the Employment Package of April 2012 to tackle the linked issues of a lack of ICT skills and several thousands of unfilled ICT employment vacancies in Europe.
The Conference will mark an important milestone on the promotion of multi-stakeholder partnerships on ICT skills and jobs with the official launch of the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs. In addition, commitments of actions and pledges from stakeholders and a shared roadmap will be presented.
Top-level participation, by invitation only, is expected at this high profile event.