During the summer, the number of people out of work across all 27 European Union countries rose to nearly 22 million, or nine per cent of the workforce – the worst monthly figure for almost 10 years.
Against such a background, it is more important than ever to organise a series of events encouraging people to look for work. By supporting the organisation of more than 500 job fairs, seminars, lectures, workshops and cultural events all across Europe, the Commission is doing just that. All events are aimed at supporting jobseekers looking for work in countries other than their own Labour mobility can improve the efficiency of labour markets as well as the European internal market and remove brakes on economic growth. While many areas are hit by unemployment, shortages for certain skills persist in other countries and regions.
Under the banner of “European Job Days 2009”, a wide range of organisations such as local businesses, public and private employment services, trade unions, employers’ bodies, universities, learning and training centres and chambers of commerce will be taking part. More than 200,000 people are expected to participate.
Having the right skills and/or the appropriate education can help an individual to move quickly from school into a job, to climb the career ladder, to find a new job after getting laid off or to enter into a more promising occupation. Add to that a willingness to move in order to find employment, and the chances of success are greatly increased. According to a Eurobarometer survey, 59 per cent of people without work who moved country found a job within 12 months. Of those who remained in their home country, only 33 per cent found a job.
The Job Days events are organised through EURES – a co-operation network between the European Commission, Public Employment Services in 31 European countries (the EU plus Norway, Iceland Liechtenstein and Switzerland) and other partner organisations.
EURES provides information, advice and placement services for jobseekers and employers as well as any citizen wishing to benefit from the principle of the free movement of people in Europe. In cross-border regions, the network has an important role to play in providing information about and helping to solve all sorts of problems related to cross-border commuting that workers and employers might encounter.
There are over 750 EURES advisers located in the participating Public Employment Services, as well as a website (eures.europa.eu) which provides job vacancies in 31 countries, CVs from interested candidates, and information about living and working in another country. The site currently contains some 800,000 job vacancies, more than 300,000 CVs and 19,000 employers registered.
In response to the crisis, we have found that EURES services are being used more than ever before – the website received a record 2.8 million visitors last month – precisely because labour mobility plays such a crucial role in creating work opportunities and bridging skills gaps, for example for qualified scientists, engineers and IT workers.
It is also clear that the needs of jobseekers and potential employers have changed. Over the first 15 years of its existence, EURES has effectively addressed gaps in the information available. This was, and continues to be, one of the key obstacles to geographical mobility; jobseekers in particular need to have information to make an informed decision when they want to move. But now EURES – and the 2009 Job Days – need to act as a tool to match the skills with the jobs available. Adapting to change and ensuring the correct matching between labour market and supply are crucial factors if Europe wants to remain productive and competitive in the years to come. The 2009 Job Days will be an important step along that road.
Vladimir Spidla is EU Commissioner for Employment,
Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities