Teacher unions and employers press EU for structured dialogue on the teaching profession
At the first social partner hearing devoted to school education, unions and employers agreed that policymaking on teacher shortages and working conditions needs systematic consultation at every level, from the EU to individual schools.
Social partners in the school education sector called for structured and meaningful social dialogue at all levels, from the European Union down to individual schools, at a hearing held on June 26, 2026, the European Commission said in an announcement published through its European Education Area service.
The Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and its Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion met sector representatives for two rounds of exchange. Taking part were the European Trade Union Committee for Education, the European Federation of Public Service Unions, the European Federation of Education Employers and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.
The discussion focused on the forthcoming EU Agenda for Teachers and Trainers, which aims to address teacher shortages and improve working conditions. According to the Commission, participants broadly agreed on the need for structured and substantive social dialogue at every level, and both union and employer representatives asked for a more systematic approach to involving social partners in policy decisions.
Working conditions and attractive career paths were central to the exchange. Priorities differed, however: some participants emphasised safeguarding the quality of the teaching profession, while others stressed the scale of teacher shortages and the need to widen entry routes into teaching. Social partners also reaffirmed the value of existing European-level tools and initiatives that support cooperation and professional development, and the Commission thanked them for their active engagement and contributions.
The hearing was the first devoted specifically to school education and forms part of the preparation of the EU Agenda for Teachers and Trainers, which was first announced under the Union of Skills initiative. The views raised in June will feed into that agenda, and the Commission said it plans to present an education package in the second half of this year bringing together EU action on teachers, basic skills, schools and digital education.