Towards European skill needs forecasting

Information on future skill needs in Europe has been lacking for a long time. Finding ways of obtaining this information at European level is a main concern. Forecasting skill needs and demand at macro level has a number of limitations (e.g. reliability and level of detail of output, lack of information on skills gaps and competence requirements in the workplace, etc.). However, due to relatively low costs, if based on a common methodology and standardised statistics, (econometric) skill forecasting at European level could be feasible in the near future and could become an important information contribution for evidence-based policies. The publication is based on the proceedings of an expert workshop held in Cyprus in October 2005 and presents potential opportunities and obstacles for European skill needs forecasting. The publication looks at feasibility of the common approach and summarises previous efforts to create pan-European skills forecasts as well as classifications, data and models essential for European skill needs forecasting. It presents the information input on methods, models, data sources and classifications of forecasting approaches at national level provided by Member States according to Cedefop's template. More information can be found at www.trainingvillage.gr/skillsnet (under the 'Forecasting' section).