On 14 February 2022, the Chairwoman of the FEDE, Claude Vivier Le Got, and the General Director of the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO), Lise Fuhr, signed a memorandum of understanding at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris.
Founded in Brussels in 1992, ETNO is the main European federation representing employers and large companies in the European telecommunications sector. Officially recognised by the European institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU), ETNO, as part of European social dialogue, defends the interests of telecom operators via-à-vis the demands of trade unions. FEDE-ETNO cooperation aims to promote synergies between, on the one hand, educational institutions offering FEDE subject area N°3 (IT, Digital Tools and Technology) and, on the other hand, companies in the new technology, IT and communications sector.
Indeed, the agreement will help ensure that the FEDE’s educational programmes match up with the skills needed to work in telecommunications. Growing interconnection between digital platforms, open-source solutions and increased mobility are nowadays an important part of how companies work. Consequently, employers need staff who have both technological skills and the ability to adapt to the societal challenges arising from digitalisation. Jobs relating to new technology have excellent prospects and are an exciting opportunity for graduates who possess both IT and digital know-how and business and people skills.
The FEDE-ETNO agreement aims to encourage all forms of cooperation between FEDE institutions and employers in the sector – be it strategic, financial, representational or promotional – with a view to reducing skills shortages and obstacles to employment and equipping staff with the skills needed to adapt effectively to new technology.
Following the signing of the partnership, Grégory Gillet – senior manager at British Telecom and an ETNO representative – actively participated at the FEDE’s General Assembly in Dubrovnik in March 2022. Mr Gillet presented the goals of the FEDE-ETNO Memorandum of Understanding and spoke with representatives of FEDE member institutions offering telecommunications-related programmes. Furthermore, at the end of May Ruxandra Stroe from the FEDE’s education team attended a conference in Lisbon organised by ETNO and another European telecom social partner – the European Services Workers Union (UNI Europa).
