Driving the Future of Elderly Care with Eldicare 2.0: Highlights from the EU Validation Workshop

On 5 September 2024, partners of the Eldicare 2.0 initiative came together for a key EU Validation Workshop to review and validate the findings of the report EU Blueprint: The Visioning of the To-Be Elderly Care Providers.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from across Europe to examine the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on elderly care, assess emerging workforce challenges, and refine a vision for a future-ready, person-centred care system.

• Consistent skills gaps across Europe
  Despite regional differences, the care sector faces similar challenges EU-wide—including gaps in language proficiency, digital competence, and entrepreneurial thinking.
• The crucial role of migrant workers
  Migrant caregivers are vital to the sector, yet barriers remain around recognising their qualifications. Employers also face legal and administrative hurdles in navigating complex migration policies.
• A holistic, collaborative approach is needed
  Building a resilient and responsive elderly care system will require coordinated efforts from national governments, vocational education and training (VET) providers, and local authorities.
• Digital skills are no longer optional
  As technology becomes integral to care delivery and training, enhancing digital literacy is essential. However, the cost of upskilling remains a concern—highlighting the need for further research and targeted investment.

This workshop served as a crucial step in refining the Blueprint’s recommendations and moving toward real-world implementation. The insights gathered will inform future policy, training programmes, and cross-sector collaboration—ensuring Europe’s ageing population receives the dignified, high-quality care they deserve.
Metropolitan College proudly participates in this European initiative, which is committed to reshaping the future of elderly care through innovation, collaboration, and education.

Learn more about Eldicare 2.0 at: eldicare2-0.eu 

Project number: 101111721
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.