Trends in Training Participation, Overqualification, and EmploymentA Comparative Analysis of Romania and the EU-27 (2015–2023)

This article analyzes the evolution of seven key indicators relevant to understanding the relationship between vocational training, motivation for development, and integration into the labor market. The indicators included are: participation in education and training (last 4 weeks), perceptions of training needs, participation in online courses, NEET rate, overqualification rate, employment rate, and unemployment rate. The study uses annual Eurostat data covering the period 2015–2023, comparing Romania with the European Union (EU27) average. The analysis seeks to identify trends, differences, and correlations between participation in learning, professional integration, and motivation for development. The data were processed in SPSS, using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and principal component analysis (PCA). The purpose is to highlight the links between human capital development and professional performance, providing insights for improving educational and occupational policies.