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REC participates in European debate on future skills needs at the ‘higher-end’ of the EU jobs-market

The REC represented the UK recruitment industry at high level discussions in Brussels last week.  At a quarterly meeting between Eurociett and European trade unions, the  REC discussed the global economic downturn   where new jobs would emerge and how best to implement the Agency Workers Directive with European Commission officials.

Discussions also focused on The European Commission’s new consultation paper on enhancing skills and encouraging greater geographical and occupational mobility.

Commenting on the outcome of these discussions, Anne Fairweather, REC Head of Public Policy said:

 "It is clear that the recruitment industry is having a tough time across Europe, with Spain and France being particularly badly hit.  At a time of so much change it is important we do not lose sight of where tomorrow's jobs will be.  Employment opportunities are increasingly gravitating towards the highly skilled ‘higher-end’ of the jobs market – particularly in the technological production sphere – and the recruitment industry will have a key role to play in helping employers to source the right talent.

"The REC will also be taking forward the regular feedback from members in areas such as IT, engineering and Interim Management and will ensure that the industry is a key voice in the skills debate both in the UK and in Europe”.                                                

The European Commission is already compiling a monthly European Labour Market Monitor, in co-operation with Eurociett, the representative body for the industry across Europe. The Commission is also looking to compile a 'multi-lingual dictionary of occupations' to facilitate mobility between jobs and countries and to establish a European Public Employment Services working group. 

One area for exchange of best practice will be how the public employment services interact with the private sector.  Here the REC-Jobcentre Plus Memorandum of Understanding is seen as a useful benchmark for other European countries to follow.

 With regards to the AWD, the Commission is setting up a working group of Government officials to ensure that the directive is implemented correctly across the EU.   The REC will monitor developments and feed into this group through our ongoing work with Eurociett and CBI Brussels.