Forecast shows jobs in Europe becoming more skills- and knowledge-intensive

News, 4th February, 2009.

A new forecast on the demand and supply of skills up to 2020 foresees a steady rise in knowledge- and skill-intensive occupations in Europe. The forecast was presented today by Cedefop, the EU's reference centre for vocational education and training, at the European Commission conference 'New Skills for New Jobs: Action Now'.

According to this new forecast the total number of job openings is expected to be around 80 million by 2020, with the largest increase in high-level managerial, professional and technical occupations.

Those with higher qualifications will clearly be in the best position to take advantage of these developments. But the European economy will continue to need a broad basis of skills at intermediate level, especially those acquired within vocational education and training.