On this International Day of Care and Support, the EFFE Lab unveils a pivotal report highlighting the urgent need to professionalize Europe’s personal and household services (PHS) sector. This sector plays a vital role in supporting families and vulnerable individuals yet faces significant challenges: PHS workers continue to struggle for recognition of their skills and equitable working conditions.
The report emphasizes the critical need to professionalize this rapidly growing sector. It recommends concrete actions, including the introduction of specialized training, personalized learning pathways, and recognition of prior learning (RPL). These initiatives aim to equip workers with essential skills, including green and digital competencies, to meet the current and future demands of the labor market.
One of the report’s key recommendations is ensuring continuous access to education and training for all workers, particularly the most vulnerable, such as migrants or those distant from the labor market. By diversifying learning options, notably through blended learning and micro-credentials, the sector could not only enhance workers’ employability but also increase its own appeal and sustainability.
The report also calls for stronger sector structuring through reinforced social dialogue and the creation of tailored collective agreements. Additionally, it recommends promoting the exchange of best practices across Europe to optimize the effectiveness of local and national initiatives. This collaborative approach could greatly contribute to standardizing working conditions and elevating the PHS professions.
The publication of this report marks significant progress toward better recognition of PHS workers’ skills. EFFE Lab calls on policymakers, professional organizations, and all stakeholders to review this document and actively engage in the necessary transformation of this sector.
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A social Europe that works for every home