A “New Skills for New Jobs” scheme which aims to match labour demand and supply through synergies between employment, training and education policies is one of nineteen new social agenda initiatives announced by the EU Commission earlier this month.

“The renewed social agenda seeks to empower and equip Europeans, in particular young people, to deal with rapidly changing realities - shaped by globalisation, technological progress, ageing societies – and developments such as the recent hikes in food and oil prices and turmoil in financial markets,” the Commission said. “It also aims to help those who have difficulties coping with these changes.”