METIS will develop self-sustainable structures, driven by industry and education members, that will allow a constant exchange on a defined basis with policy makers. The Observatory and Skills Council, comprised of at least 150 stakeholders, will constitute structured frameworks for collaboration to advance policy and practice. Thematic groups targeting specific trends/ challenges will also be set up, to facilitate the exchange of views and to develop platforms where peers can put forward actions to advance skills development in microelectronics. The Observatory and Skills Council will bring together all facets of the value chain and education/training actors, to enhance the competitiveness of the EU microelectronics industry in the long term.