The Commission supported the setup of European Sector Skills Councils, with the purpose of anticipating the need for skills in specific sectors more effectively and achieving a better match between skills and labour market needs. Although Sector Skills Councils as such have been discontinued, identification of sector specific skills gaps is now the focus of the current Sector Skills Alliances.

European Sector Skills Councils were set up and funded in the 5 sectors below:

• Textile, clothing & leather
• Commerce (retail & wholesale)
• Automotive
• Audio-visual and Live performance
• Marine Technologies

14 sectors have benefited from Commission funding for feasibility studies on setting up European skills councils:

• Nursing
• Construction
• Steel
• Gas
• Automotive
• Chemicals
• Fishery
• Furniture
• Shipbuilding
• Audiovisual & live performance
• Agriculture
• Electricity
• Sports & leisure
• Dairy