Sectoral Level Analysis

The impact can be especially severe in regions that have limited alternative jobs and low skills levels amongst the workforce. The EU supports analysis of these sectoral trends and regional impacts.

Future skills needs

In order to ensure sound change management, the Commission has conducted 18 sectoral studies that seek to identify emerging competences and future skills needs. By applying a common foresight scenario-based approach, these studies provide options both for anticipating and adapting to change. The studies cover the following areas:

• Automotive sector
• Building of ships and boats
• Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic products
• Computer, electronic and optical products
• Defence industry
• Distribution, trade 
• Electricity, gas, water and waste
• Electromechanical engineering
• Financial services
• Furniture
• Health and social work
• Hotels, restaurants and catering 
• Non-metallic materials
• Other services, maintenance and cleaning
• Post and telecommunications
• Printing and publishing
• Textiles, apparel and leather products
• Transport 

Cooperation with the social partners

The European Commission works closely with the social partners (representatives of employers and trade unions) to deal with restructuring. Their input is particularly important as regards:

• Anticipation and monitoring of structural change, through the sectoral social dialogue committees
• Informing the European Commission of worrying developments, which may lead to further action at the EU level.