On January 18th, the recently launched DocTalent4EU project held its first event, an online roundtable discussion aimed at gathering feedback on the challenges and actions needed to improve training and career development for PhD candidates. This report summarises the key insights gathered during the panel sessions. DocTalent4EU is a HORIZON EUROPE funded project which aims to enhance PhD employability through a strong, visible and innovative recognition-system of the most in-demand transferable skills that early-career researchers acquire or will acquire through their doctoral training and research activities.