EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING : CALL FOR ACTION TO RAISE QUALIFICATION LEVELS.

Some 80 million job opportunities are expected to arise by 2020, of which seven million jobs will be new. These projections by CEDEFOP(1) may nevertheless go unheeded, unless there is a surge in terms of professional training and qualifications in the European Union. The situation today is unsatisfactory: one in three Europeans of working age has few or no formal qualifications, according to an expert report, published on 4 February by the European Commission. This document provides concrete recommendations with a view to solving Europe's skills deficiencies.

The report, entitled New skills for new jobs: Action now', is addressed to decision makers at EU and national level, businesses, trade unions, education and training providers...