08 SEP 2010

EurActiv

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso yesterday (7 September) unveiled plans to create a "vacancy monitor" intended to fill four million vacant jobs across the 27-member bloc. The move signals the EU executive's intent to play an active role in boosting job creation.

In his first 'State of the Union' address to MEPs in Strasbourg yesterday, Barroso said that while responsibility for employment policy and job creation is primarily the preserve of member states, his EU executive will not "stand on the sidelines" in the battle to restore European economic growth, create jobs and reform pension systems.

Instead, the president foresees an activist Commission that will "help its people to seize new opportunities". To that end, he proposed a number of new initiatives, chief among which was a so-called "European Vacancy Monitor" that will show people where jobs are available in Europe and which skills are needed in any given country.

The Commission will also come forward with plans for a European skills passport.

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