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Language competences are a key dimension of modernising European education systems, and this staff working document [SWD] is part of a larger policy initiative contributing to Europe 2020. It offers analysis and insight to support the Commission communication on 'Re-thinking Education: a blueprint to invest in the skills of the future for better economic and social outcomes'. Raising the language competences of children, young people and adults will foster the mobility of workers and students and improve the employability of the European workforce. Therefore, improved language competences will contribute to achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy of growth and jobs. This SWD presents ground-breaking evidence. It draws on the new European Survey on Language Competences (ESLC), which assesses pupils' knowledge of the first and second foreign languages at the end of lower secondary education. Show less

This report responds to the challenges associated with the provision of language skills for the European labour market. It calls for a sharpened focus on employment-related aspects of language learning. The aim is to provide input for the current discussions at national and European levels on modernising education systems and quality assurance built on learning outcomes. The main challenge is for language teaching to become learner-focused, and better geared to professional contexts and the needs of the jobs market. This, in turn, will improve learner motivation and the successful taking up and use of available opportunities. This will benefit not only learners but those seeking to employ people who are well-trained and properly qualified to assume their professional responsibilities.

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This conference paper evaluates the role of improved education and training provision in increasing the labour market activity rates and employment among older workers. The authors argue that the increase in human capital, or enhanced knowledge and skills, resulting from this provision needs to be economically productive if it is to improve the labour market position of recipients. The paper focuses on this and begins by providing a brief outline of the nature of labour market disadvantage suffered by older workers, who are defined as those over 54 years of age. The authors then discuss the causes of the disadvantage and consider whether better education and training might alleviate the problem. Some policy initiatives are evaluated and it is concluded that education and training have only a limited role to play unless there are accompanying policy measures.

Selected papers from the conference are indexed from TD/TNC 87.81 to TD/TNC 87.84. Show less

Economic restructuring requires a flexible workforce with a range of transferable skills. This publication analyses the role of such skills in career pathways and the labour market, and levels of skill transferability across sectors in the current context and during the years leading up to 2020. It also looks at the roles of actors involved in promoting transferability and methods for enhancing job mobility, before making final recommendations. The appendices contain the following information: the [European Union] EU survey; good practice examples; EU workshops; knowledge and skills’ transferability in 2020; definitions of basic terms; importance of human capital stock during economic recession; methodological background of skills transferability analysis; outputs of skills transferability analysis; extended information on players and tools; and extended information on recommendations.

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Demand for workers in retrofitting and new green construction is expected to grow over the coming years. Securing an adequate supply of suitably skilled workers is essential to capitalize on opportunities to further develop the sector and its potential to create jobs. Within this context, adequate training provision is vital to success. Green sectors will require new skills needs related to energy efficiency, water management and renewable energies in buildings. At times this may lead to the development of new occupations, such as energy efficiency analysts, but more frequently skills for many existing occupations, such as plumbers and electricians, will need to be upgraded. Workers displaced from declining sectors, including the traditional construction sector, may successfully relocate to green building, provided that relevant retraining programmes are accessible. Training offered in green building has increased notably over the past few years; however, employers still face difficulties finding qualified people to perform certain jobs. Skills-led strategies can drive the green building sector forward. This report brings together the findings from 34 countries. It arises from a joint management agreement between the European Commission and the ILO on knowledge sharing in early identification of skill needs.

Published abstract.

A research brief entitled ‘Greening of the building sector is held back by skill shortages: skills-led strategies can drive green building forward’ is available for this report. Show less

The Erasmus Programme is a European Union (EU) student exchange programme that aims to boost skills and employability, as well as modernise education, training, and youth work. The Erasmus Impact Study (EIS) aims to answer two major questions. Firstly, it analyses the effects of Erasmus student mobility in relation to studies and placements on individual skills enhancement, employability and institutional development. Secondly, it examines the effects of Erasmus teaching assignments/staff training on individual competences, personality traits and attitudes, as well as the programme's impact on the internationalisation of higher education institutions (HEIs).

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One in five young people in Europe cannot find a job. The lack of quality employment opportunities threatens an increasing number of young people with a sense of exclusion. The transition from education to independence and a place in the world of work is becoming longer and more precarious. And those with the fewest skills or the fewest opportunities are most at risk. This brochure gives some examples of how non-formal learning and the Youth in Action programme contribute to building up young people's knowledge and skills, and give them a glimpse of what it requires to seek and hold down a job or to become an entrepreneur. It makes them more employable. It also shows how this sector is countering youth unemployment and helping young people get back on track - particularly those who for one reason or another are marginalised or discriminated against, who lack confidence in themselves, or who have little sense of engagement in society.

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The renewable energy sector is growing fast: about half of the new electricity-generating capacity added globally in 2008 and 2009 came from renewable energy additions. Renewable energy is expected to generate more jobs over the coming years in the energy sector as a whole. Employment in fossil fuel, however, will drop as energy production turns greener. Fast deployment of new capacity at country or regional levels has led to skills shortages in technical occupations such as solar installers and electrical engineers, but also in more general occupations, such as sales and finance specialists, inspectors, auditors and lawyers. An efficient training system for renewable energy must be integrated within overall policies to support the growth of the sector. It must also involve social partners in the design and delivery of training, retraining of workers and draw from a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge. The study brings together the findings from 33 countries. It arises from a joint management agreement between the European Commission and the ILO on knowledge sharing in early identification of skill needs.

Published abstract.

A research brief entitled ‘Investment in renewable energy generates jobs: supply of skilled workforce needs to catch up’ is available for this report. Show less