The industrial relations in the Commerce sector EU Social dialogue: education, training and skill needs Ilaria Savoini Riga, 9 May 2012

An essential issue in the WP for SSDC Likewise health and safety, the issue of education, training and skill needs is also part of the work programme og social partners for commerce In this context they have achieved recently some joint outcomes dealing with this question: –Joint opinion on the social aspects of the retail Market Monitoring (2010) –Joint opinion on the own initiative report of MEP Bastos on the « Agenda for new skills and jobs » in 2011 –Joint contribution to the « European Retail Action Plan » in April

The first activities of the social partners in this field EuroCommerce and Uni europa commerce followed up this issue since the beginning of their informal social dialogue In November 2006, they signed a letter of intent to support further dissemination of the so-called European Commerce Competence Training modules It is about innovative training modules aimed to provide various target people (young people, unemployed…) with basic skills for the commerce sector It allows to pass a certification allowing to work in the commerce sector throughout Europe It can be used as a self-learning tools or by schools: exists in EN, DE, will be translated in TR, RO, PL 3

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 1) 1.The mapping exercise: Establishing a European network for anticipating skill needs in the commerce sector (VS/2009/0532 – PROGRESS) –General context of the project: ILO Global Forum on skills for commerce employees, publication of the Communication « New skills for new jobs » end 2008 and of the study « Sectoral analysis of emerging competences in the EU for the trade and distribution sector » in 2009; Since the begining of 2009, social partners work together on future skill needs resulting from the developments of the sector 4

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 1) Project implemented with the financial support of the Commission: December 2009 –December 2010 Presented by EuroCommerce in partnership with UNI Europa and three other partners (educational bodies) Regional workshops and a final conference, data collection and analysis. Main contents analysed: –The evolution of companies and worker needs –The evolution of skills and jobs –The assessment of practices, tools and methodologies of anticipation and management of skills –Gathering and exchange of good practices 5

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 1) Outcomes and materials of the project –A report on questionnaires on Past and future trend of VET in the sector Future challenges of VET The role of EU and national bodies and institutions to address the skills mitmatch –A report with main conclusions and next steps: Different situations according to the countries: importance of an efficient cooperation between all the stakeholders Best practices can be found in those countries where the munti-stakeholder approach is well- established (DK, NL, A, DE…) 6

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 2) A European Skills Council for commerce is important to raise awareness on the importance of a good VET: it has been proven by the collection of good practices along the project The social partners of the commerce sector have therefore agreed to continue their cooperation on skills anticipation through a so-called phase 2 project with the following objectives: –Identifying and monitoring training needs –Identifying employment opportunities and trends –Anticipate skills needs and competencies –Matching the supply and demand between workers and companies 7

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 2) Creation and formal launch of the European sector Skills Council: –A detailed analysis of the existing and emerging observatories on employment and skills –A network linking all existing and emerging observatories Implementation of ICT infrastructure and tools –Facilitate the exchange and best practices and competencies via the ICT infrastructure –-linking existing and emerging observatories on employment and training –-improving the functioning of the European Sector Council Identifying possible end users and beneficiaries (business organisations, job seekers, students, training providers etc.) 8

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 2) Some example of observatories: –Ente Bilaterale-Italy –Fundacion Tripartita - Spain –Kennishandel Centrum – the Netherlands –CECOA – Portugal –Skillsmart – UK Next steps: –Steering committee with members, study performed by 2 external experts coordinates the project –Interviews in the observatories –Web based platform –Organisation of two workshops and of a conference 9

Anticipation of skill needs (phase 2) Expected outcomes: –Proposals for sector qualification and competences standards at EU level –Develop strategies in education and training –Setting up web services (i.e. e-learning) –Increase attractiveness of the sector especially for young people –Improve transparency, advice and access to learning (formal and informal) and career developments 10

Thank you for your attention! 11 For more information: ;