Qualifications in a cross-border context: shortages, recognition and co-construction. A Luxembourg–Switzerland perspective

Thursday, July 9, 2026 | University of Luxembourg, Belval Campus

Today's labour markets are marked by multiple tensions. Many sectors are facing labour shortages, a situation likely to intensify due to demographic imbalances. In this context, qualifications play a central role, particularly in cross-border regions confronted with a range of structural and institutional challenges.

This raises questions about the mechanisms through which qualifications are defined, recognised, and mobilised in tight labour markets where different national, legal, and educational frameworks intersect. It also underscores the need to reconsider training systems in cross-border territories such as Switzerland and Luxembourg, and to assess their capacity to respond to specific requirements related to language, technology, and sector-specific demands.

These issues will be addressed at the 12th UniGR-CBS Greater Region Forum. The forum will open with an overview of the recognition of qualifications at the European level. This will be followed by a panel of experts from Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Greater Region, who will present a comparative analysis of qualification systems, their practical use, and the challenges encountered. The panel will also identify key obstacles, current challenges, and potential levers for action. Finally, a roundtable discussion on possible responses to labour shortages in cross-border contexts will bring together scientific, institutional, and professional expertise.

Practical information 

The Greater Region Forum will be held at the University of Luxembourg, Campus Belval (see map).

Program

9:30 to 10:00am | Welcoming participants

10:00 to 10:30am | Welcome words

Marie-Hélène Jobin (Vice-Rector for Partnerships and International Relations)

Benno Laggner (Swiss Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

Christian Wille (Director of the UniGR-Center for Border Studies) 
 

10:30 to 11:00am | Introductory presentation: Recognition of professional qualifications in EU cross-border regions: Challenges and recent initiatives (english, without translation)

Susanne Sivonen (Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM)/Maastricht University)

Moderation: Isabelle Pigeron-Piroth (University of Luxembourg, UniGR-CBS)  
 

11:15 to 11:35am | Labour and Qualification shortages in the Greater Region 

Marie Feunteun-Schmidt (Coordinator of the IBA·OIE (Observatoire Interrégional de l'Emploi))

11:35 to 11:50am | Labour and Qualification Shortages in Switzerland: the example of the Canton of Vaud and the Jura region

Carole Martin (Director of the Statistical Office of the Canton of Vaud)

Moderation: Franz Clément (Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER))
 

2:00 to 3:30pm | Employment and Qualifications in the Greater Region: Current situation and opportunities for action

UniGR-CBS Working Group Cross-Border Labour and Education

• Former au-delà des frontières : l’apprentissage transfrontalier, un levier de coopération pour répondre aux pénuries de qualifications ?, Rachid Belkacem and Nassera Azizi (Université de Lorraine)
• Les diplômés de l’Université de Lorraine et leur insertion au Luxembourg, Vincent Fromentin (Université de Lorraine)
• Third Countries Nationals in Luxembourg and challenges, Birte Nienaber (University of Luxembourg) 
• Les aspects linguistiques, Claudia Polzin-Haumann and Christina Reissner (Saarland University) 
• La solidarité transfrontalière entre piste de solution et idéal? (ALL/FR), Ines Funk (Saarland University) and Isabelle Pigeron-Piroth (University of Luxembourg)

Moderation: Christian Wille (University of Luxembourg, UniGR-CBS)
 

4:00 to 5:30pm | Round table: What solutions are available to address labour shortages in a cross-border context?

Pierre Goffin (Chair of the Working Group Employment of the Summit of the Greater Region)

Carole Martin (Director of the Statistical Office of the Canton of Vaud)

Vincent Hein (Director of the think-tank Fondation IDEA.lu)

Charlotte Venema (BENELUX, Policy Advisor, Education and professional qualifications)

Moderation: Rachid Belkacem (Université de Lorraine, UniGR-CBS)

Registration

Registration is required and possible until 26 June 2026. Register here (German)

The event is organised in collaboration with the research group LABOR SwissLux – Labor across Borders, which brings together researchers from Luxembourg and Switzerland analysing the dynamics of the approximately 640,000 cross-border workers employed in these two countries. By highlighting similarities and differences between these areas, the group seeks to develop a nuanced comparative understanding of cross-border work and its contemporary challenges.

Further information about the programme and registration will be available soon.

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