Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States in 2013

Ministers agreed on a general approach confirming that the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, adopted in 2010, will remain unchanged for 2013.

The priority areas identified in the guidelines are the following:

• increasing labour market participation of women and men, reducing structural unemployment and promoting job quality;
• developing a skilled workforce responding to labour market needs and promoting lifelong learning;
• improving the quality and performance of education and training systems and increasing participation in tertiary or equivalent education; and
• promoting social inclusion and combating poverty.

This general approach will need to be reconsidered when the conclusions of the March European Council on employment can also be taken into account.