Sectoral policy

This Cedefop’s initiative explored the potential of employers’ survey as a tool to identify skill needs and skill gaps at workplace level. The aim was to develop a tool or instrument to reliably identify future needs of skills, competences, occupations and qualifications in public and private enterprises in Europe as input for broader skill needs analyses.

Cedefop looks into selected sectors of the economy to identify new and emerging skill needs. Sectoral workshops are organised regularly to discuss the current situation and the development potential of a particular sector focusing on future skill requirements. A background study, if available, workshop proceedings and a Skillsnet ‘sector flash’ are published by Cedefop after each sectoral workshop highlighting the main trends, developments and skill needs in the sector. Cedefop has looked into selected sectors of the economy to identify the latest trends and skill needs. It investigates future skill needs but mainly the emergence of new skill needs which are not (yet) covered by related policies and statistics. This information is necessary for future-oriented policies, defining and validating skills, knowledge and competences and implementing them in curricula, training regulations, and qualification standards as well as using them for vocational guidance.