Cooperation between SMEs and trade unions in Europe on ... - ETUC

ETUC – UE APME: <strong>Cooperation</strong> betw een <strong>SMEs</strong> <strong>and</strong> Trade Unio ns <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> 24
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the <strong>Europe</strong>an Council, lifelong learn<strong>in</strong>g should be regarded as a
fundamental pr<strong>in</strong>ciple underp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g the entire framework, which is designed to cover
learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> all contexts - whether formal, non-formal or <strong>in</strong>formal - <strong>and</strong> at all levels:
from early childhood education <strong>and</strong> schools through to higher education, vocational
education <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> adult learn<strong>in</strong>g.
Specifically, the framework of action until 2020 should address the follow<strong>in</strong>g four
strategic objectives:
Mak<strong>in</strong>g lifelong learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> mobility a reality;
Improv<strong>in</strong>g the quality <strong>and</strong> efficiency of education <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g;
Promot<strong>in</strong>g equality, social cohesion <strong>and</strong> active citizenship;
Enhanc<strong>in</strong>g creativity <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>novation, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g entrepreneurship, at all levels of
education <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g.
The periodic monitor<strong>in</strong>g of progress towards a set objective provides an essential
contribution towards evidence-based policy mak<strong>in</strong>g. The strategic objectives outl<strong>in</strong>ed
above should accord<strong>in</strong>gly be accompanied dur<strong>in</strong>g the period 2010 - 2020 by <strong>in</strong>dicators
<strong>and</strong> by reference levels for <strong>Europe</strong>an average performance ("<strong>Europe</strong>an benchmarks").
In December 2008, the Commission also launched the "New skills for new
jobs" 26 <strong>in</strong>itiative <strong>in</strong> order to ensure a better match <strong>between</strong> the skills that workers have
<strong>and</strong> the jobs that are available. The <strong>in</strong>itiative also will take <strong>in</strong>to account the grow<strong>in</strong>g
importance of soft skills, such as problem-solv<strong>in</strong>g, analytical, self-management <strong>and</strong>
communication skills, but also language skills, digital competences <strong>and</strong> the ability to
work <strong>in</strong> a team will become more important, accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Commission. In the
context of the new <strong>in</strong>itiative the Commission plans to regularly assess the labour
market's long-term supply <strong>and</strong> dem<strong>and</strong> until 2020. For this purpose the Commission
has commissioned a number of sectoral studies us<strong>in</strong>g a common foresight methodology
to identify emerg<strong>in</strong>g competences <strong>and</strong> changes.
SME specific challenges <strong>and</strong> needs
Aga<strong>in</strong>st the background of <strong>in</strong>tensified competition from foreign countries <strong>in</strong> the context
of EU enlargement <strong>and</strong> globalisation, SME actors throughout <strong>Europe</strong> today regard the
need to improve their <strong>in</strong>novation capacity <strong>and</strong> the upgrad<strong>in</strong>g of qualification <strong>and</strong> skills
as a crucial challenge. It is also important that this challenge is faced not only by larger
<strong>SMEs</strong> but also by micro companies <strong>and</strong> the crafts sector. In particular the capacity of
<strong>SMEs</strong> to <strong>in</strong>novate requires a complex set of skills, networks <strong>and</strong> processes.
Here, it also has been stressed that the strategy of <strong>SMEs</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> to compete at the
price level with low wage countries is no real alternative. Cost competition is currently
won by emerg<strong>in</strong>g countries, even when tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to account the better productivity of
<strong>Europe</strong>an workers. The solution is to be more competitive <strong>in</strong> quality <strong>and</strong> technology as
the follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terview carried out <strong>in</strong> the context of the 2007 SME Restructur<strong>in</strong>g Forum
illustrate.
26 Communication of the EU Commission: New Skills for New Jobs Anticipat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> match<strong>in</strong>g labour market <strong>and</strong> skills needs,
Brussels, COM(2008) 868/3.