Jobs of the future in Europe

Tourism, different types of services, TIME- industries (telecommunication, information, media and electronics) and biotechnology will provide the most promising job opportunities in the future. Rapid technological development will lead to accelerating change in career patterns and people's lives. In addition to good qualifications, employees will need to have communications skills, the ability to resolve conflicts, work in a team and constantly adjust to new requirements. Since SMEs will be the strongest generator of new jobs, they should be granted the same competitive opportunities and conditions as large companies. These conclusions were shared by the members of the Committee when they unanimously adopted an own-initiative report by Mr. Thomas MANN (EPP, D) on the jobs of the future. The Committee called for a reform of education and training, especially continued professional training in order to meet the requirements of the information and service society. It stressed that it is necessary to make university degrees more transparent and comparable and constantly review the content of vocational training. The Committee believed that companies will increasingly demand workers for which life-long learning forms a natural part of personal development., Society should therefore provide more resources for ongoing training for workers and those seeking work. Member States and the two sides of industry should develop their training systems to reflect technological change and open up the opportunity for further training. The Committee suggested that life-long learning can be made a reality by enshrining an entitlement to annual training leave in law. The Committee stressed that the whole spectrum of talented people should be used in society. Therefore, women should be prepared for managerial positions and setting up businesses through specific training courses. �