Today, Secretary Gina Raimondo, European Commission (EC) Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, and EC Commissioner Nicolas Schmit launched the first meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Talent for Growth Task Force, comprised of government and private sector leaders focused on ensuring millions of workers in both the U.S. and Europe are equipped with the training and skills they need to thrive in an economy transformed by technology.

One of President Biden’s top priorities is to ensure America’s workers can access the good jobs created by this Administration’s historic investments in manufacturing, semiconductors, and clean energy. These investments need complimentary talent development systems, and the Task Force was created to help catalyze businesses, labor, and organizations that support training to act to build lifelong training for our working-age populations.

During this inaugural Take Force meeting, Secretary Raimondo challenged the Task Force Members to be ambitious. “We want you in the EU to learn from us, and we want to learn from you. We need to take the best of the training programs and apprenticeships where you excel and other areas where we excel, to come together and take action.”

Executive Vice-President Margarethe Vestager echoed the EC’s commitment to the goals of the Task Force. “While digital technology offers vast opportunities for individuals and businesses, it's important that these opportunities are realized in a fair and inclusive way. The Talent for Growth Task Force will combine experiences from both sides of the Atlantic and promote the development of the talent and skills needed to achieve it."

The Task Force is Co-Chaired by Zoë Baird, Senior Counselor to Secretary Gina Raimondo for Technology and Economic Growth, and Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director General, EC Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion, and will engage through its members with interested communities. For more information about the Task Force, please email tgtf@doc.gov.

Task Force Links

⇒ Fact Sheet: U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Talent for Growth Task Force Introduction

⇒ Secretary Raimondo Announces U.S. Section of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force