In light of the upcoming parliamentary elections and as part of the European Union’s 2024 initiative European Year of Skills, the Meet the Champions of Excellence event was held on February 23, 2024, in Brussels. The EESC — the European Economic and Social Committee — hosted over 400 students and young people from all 27 EU member states.
The event was organized within the framework of the European Year of Skills initiative. The goal of the program was to give new momentum to lifelong learning, empowering individuals and companies to contribute to the green and digital transitions while fostering innovation and competitiveness.
The European Year of Skills was launched in 2023, with the aim of supporting businesses — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises — by encouraging them to promote in-demand skills across the EU and address the shortage of qualified workers. At the same time, it promotes reskilling and upskilling, helping individuals acquire the right skills for quality jobs.
Among the representatives of Croatian youth and students were our first-year students, Marijeta and Nina. They are also volunteers at Impress Daruvar, a non-profit youth organization from Daruvar, which made this opportunity possible for them. Alongside students from other Croatian universities — such as the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin, and the Faculty of Law in Osijek — they learned more about the EU's goals related to the promotion of higher education.
They were also introduced to the alternative VET program, which stands for Vocational Education and Training. The program focuses on developing skills and teaching knowledge related to a specific trade, profession, or occupation in which a student or worker wishes to participate.
Finally, they took part in an interactive workshop titled Skills for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Opportunities in the EU, where they had the chance to work on their own skills relevant to the future and employability after graduation..
During this study trip, they had the unique opportunity to visit the European Parliament in Brussels — one of the most prestigious institutions of the European Union. Members of the professional team of Croatian MEPs generously welcomed and guided our students through the institution, introducing them to the history and current role of the Parliament, as well as its upcoming activities.
In doing so, they provided our students — as future communication professionals — with valuable insight into where to go and what to do if they wish to follow in their footsteps.
Marijeta Babik
The event was organized within the framework of the European Year of Skills initiative. The goal of the program was to give new momentum to lifelong learning, empowering individuals and companies to contribute to the green and digital transitions while fostering innovation and competitiveness.
The European Year of Skills was launched in 2023, with the aim of supporting businesses — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises — by encouraging them to promote in-demand skills across the EU and address the shortage of qualified workers. At the same time, it promotes reskilling and upskilling, helping individuals acquire the right skills for quality jobs.
Among the representatives of Croatian youth and students were our first-year students, Marijeta and Nina. They are also volunteers at Impress Daruvar, a non-profit youth organization from Daruvar, which made this opportunity possible for them. Alongside students from other Croatian universities — such as the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin, and the Faculty of Law in Osijek — they learned more about the EU's goals related to the promotion of higher education.
They were also introduced to the alternative VET program, which stands for Vocational Education and Training. The program focuses on developing skills and teaching knowledge related to a specific trade, profession, or occupation in which a student or worker wishes to participate.
Finally, they took part in an interactive workshop titled Skills for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Opportunities in the EU, where they had the chance to work on their own skills relevant to the future and employability after graduation..
During this study trip, they had the unique opportunity to visit the European Parliament in Brussels — one of the most prestigious institutions of the European Union. Members of the professional team of Croatian MEPs generously welcomed and guided our students through the institution, introducing them to the history and current role of the Parliament, as well as its upcoming activities.
In doing so, they provided our students — as future communication professionals — with valuable insight into where to go and what to do if they wish to follow in their footsteps.
Marijeta Babik
