Early identification of skill needs in Europe

Rapid social and economic changes raise the question of how future-oriented skills and competences can be identified early and how education and training should be shaped to meet future skill needs.

The German Ministry of Education and Research and CEDEFOP organised a conference in May 2002 to explore these questions, focusing on the early identification of skill needs, intending to lay the foundations for intensified future European co-operation.

The conference proceedings show the challenges education and training are facing are common to all European countries. They also discuss the wide range of activities and approaches on how to identify new skills emerging at national, sectoral and regional levels.

This initiative is a starting point for future co-operation and networking between researchers, policy-makers, social partners and practitioners across European countries.