The European Banking Federation published an update on an independent legal study commissioned by the European Employers’ Institute examining whether the EU can create a general right to training enforceable against employers. The study concludes that no such right currently exists in EU law and that establishing one through binding secondary legislation would breach the prohibition on harmonization in Article 166(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The study finds that four existing EU directives address training only as a means of pursuing objectives under Article 153, rather than creating a standalone individual entitlement. It also identifies varied national approaches, with many member states combining multiple regulatory models. Training and reskilling remain priorities for the banking sector under existing sectoral and collective arrangements across member states.
2026-09-14European Banking Federation
European Banking Federation highlights study finding EU cannot establish a general right to vocational training
The European Banking Federation highlighted an independent study concluding that EU law neither provides nor permits the creation of a general right to vocational training enforceable against employers. Existing EU directives address training only in support of other policy objectives, while national frameworks vary across member states.