Last week was committee week in the European Parliament. It is the voting sessions and discussions during the plenary in Strasbourg that are most often televised and known to the public. But it is in the committees that most of the work takes place. It is here that reports and opinions are presented, amendments submitted and where discussions that can lead to a compromise take place.

I am a full member and EPP coordinator on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs - this is the focus of my energy during this legislature. Last week committee meetings were particularly eventful. First, because I presented my Opinions on the Annual Reports of the European Central Bank and European Investment Bank but also because we were given the opportunity to meet and discuss with the Directors of EU Agencies that work on employment issues. I was particularly pleased to see that one of the directors that was invited to exchange views MEPs was Professor James Calleja who is responsible for Cedefop; the European Center for Development of Vocational Training.

Cedefop's mission is that of supporting the development of Vocational Education and Training (VET) policies and their implementation. This Agency does a great deal of important work - particularly noteworthy is the research that is carried out in terms of analysing current and future labour market trends in order to identify the skills that are likely to be most sought after. I have mentioned in many articles the importance of better matching training and skills to future labour market needs. It has been pointed out that despite the unacceptably high levels of unemployment in the EU there are a substantially high number of positions that remain vacant because employers are unable to find persons with the necessary skills set to carry out the job in question.

During the exchange of views the importance and success of apprenticeships was discussed. There are examples of member states that have effectively incorporated apprenticeships into their curricula and have witnessed incredibly positive results. Apprenticeships help individuals prepare for the real world of work and can provide students with valuable insight into the career they wish to pursue. They also provide an opportunity for job seekers to gain exposure to potential employers at an early stage and  could in some way help to alleviate the phenomenon we are experiencing in many member states were youth unemployment is disturbingly high. In the Opinion I presented on the ECB Annual Report last week I noted, with cautious optimism, certain figures and analysis put forward by the ECB. But while overall figures show some small improvement the situation is diverse across the EU28. This was clear from the debate where MEPs from Italy and Portugal expressed their frustration that the stagnation they are experiencing in their countries seems insurmountable.

Among the many noteworthy activities carried out by Cedefop is the support, through data collection and research, of lifelong learning. More and more we see that the importance of training and education does not end at a young age but should continue throughout life. Technological developments and shifting labour market trends increase the likelihood of the need for employees to be trained further. Such initiatives also ensures a more knowledgeable, up-to-date and effective workforce.

Employment issues are largely the sole competence of the member states but in formulating their policies member states benefit greatly through pan European research. It also enables the sharing of best practices. In contrast there are a number of Employment issues, such as posting of workers and mobility that must be addressed at a European level. Agencies such as Cedefop are instrumental in supporting policymakers at both national and EU level. It gives me great pleasure to find a fellow Maltese citizen at the helm of this Agency that is doing such good work. 

David Casa is the PN's head of delegation within the EP