Valérie Glatigny, Minister of Education, and Frédéric Panier, CEO of AKT, discuss how schools and business can prepare youth for tomorrow’s jobs.
As technology reshapes the economy, one urgent question arises: how do we prepare young people for jobs that don’t yet exist? Education is about citizenship and about employability. But how can schools and universities adapt when the future of work remains so uncertain?
What do businesses really expect from tomorrow’s workforce? And are they speaking the same language as the education sector?
In this timely conversation, Valérie Glatigny, Minister of Education for the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, joins Frédéric Panier, CEO of Akt (formerly the Union Wallonne des Entreprises), to explore how we can better align education with the needs of a fast-changing labour market—and whether that alignment risks narrowing the role of education itself.
speaker
Valérie Glatigny is a Belgian politician affiliated with the Reformist Movement (MR). Since July 2024, she has served as the Vice President of the French Community and Minister of Education and Social Promotion in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Previously, from 2019 to 2023, she held the position of Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, Youth, and Sports.
Born on 13 November 1973 in Marche-en-Famenne, Glatigny pursued studies in philosophy and began her career as a radio journalist. She transitioned into politics in 2003, working closely with European Commissioner Louis Michel and later serving in various roles within the European Parliament, including as an advisor to the President of the Renew Europe group.
Throughout her political career, Glatigny has been a proponent of aligning education with the evolving needs of society, emphasizing freedom, responsibility, and progress as core values. Her tenure has included efforts to reform teacher appointment systems and address challenges in vocational education.
speaker
Frédéric Panier is a Belgian business leader and economist, currently serving as the CEO of AKT for Wallonia, the principal employers’ organisation in the region. Appointed in September 2024, Panier brings a wealth of experience in strategic consulting and public policy.
A native of Floreffe, Panier holds a law degree and earned a PhD in economics from Stanford University, where he specialised in public policy evaluation. He spent five years at Stanford before joining McKinsey & Company in 2015, rising to the position of partner. At McKinsey, he led numerous projects focused on employment, education, and systemic transformation, particularly within the public sector in Belgium.
At AKT, Panier is committed to fostering a prosperous and sustainable Wallonia. He advocates for constructive dialogue among stakeholders to drive ambitious reforms, especially in employment and education. His leadership reflects a dedication to aligning economic development with social progress.
moderator
Salma Haouach is a management engineer, graduating from Solvay in 2001. With over 20 years of experience in consulting and strategy across France, Spain, Morocco, and Brussels, Salma has carved a distinguished path in both the corporate, politics and media sectors. Salma is currently the Deputy General Director of Wallonie-Bruxelles Enseignement. She is a contributing writer for Forbes Belgium and columnist for Bel RTL.
