Manuela Prina is Head of Skills Identification and Development and the European Training Foundation, the Agency of the European Union focusing on supporting countries outside the EU in reforming their education and training system and advance in labour markets cohesion and inclusion. Her unit leads the knowledge services of the ETF, including skills anticipation, innovation and foresight, active labour market policies, qualifications systems, and enterprise skills development. She is also responsible for guiding ETF’s work in the skills dimension related to important international agendas related to gender equality and inclusion, green, digital and migration. Manuela dedicated her career to education and skills development, working since 2002 for international organisations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, before joining the ETF in 2008. ‘I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities to collaborate with over 40 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa in my career’, she says, serving the objective to advance education, training, and social sector development. Manuela holds a doctorate in international Political Economy with focus on human capital development, and Master level specialisation in Economics, international relations and educational sciences. When asked about her professional journey she says ‘To me, my profession is not just a career but an incredible life journey. Alongside these professional pursuits, I embrace my role as a parent to four adolescents. Each year, I challenge myself to learn something novel, whether it's exploring business coaching, delving into foresight methodologies, or even immersing myself in the art of reflexology. This commitment to lifelong learning remains a cornerstone of both my personal and professional development’.
