New strategy for jobs in the knowledge economy
The European Commission has launched an ambitious new strategy to promote employment and skills for the 'knowledge economy', intended to help Europe catch up with the US regarding Internet access and the use of information and communications technologies. Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Anna Diamantopoulou who launched the initiative, wants to make access to the Information Society open to all European citizens for whom she hopes it will provide a rich source of employment. Presently Internet access (in Europe) is concentrated among higher income groups in northern Europe. 'Our goal is to build an inclusive knowledge-based economy - it is the only route to create jobs and growth in Europe in the coming years,' she said. Calling on European governments to take on board the Commission's recommendations, she went on: 'If we can combine competitiveness and cohesion in the new knowledge economy, Europe will act as a model to the world.' The Commission paper says half of all jobs will be in industries connected to the Information Society by 2010, and urges Europe to take advantage of the opportunities this will bring. The paper also addresses the weaknesses and risks that are holding Europe back, including social exclusion, a lack of IT skills and a lack of innovation. To overcome these difficulties, the Commission recommends that all schools are linked to the Internet by 2002, ensuring teachers are competent to pass on the necessary IT skills. In the workplace, the paper advises that employees should have opportunities to improve their IT skills, and that equipment is user-friendly, especially for people with disabilities. It also encourages establishing flexible frameworks for teleworking practices that meet the needs of business and employees. To provide wider access to the Internet, the report recommends establishing public access points and training for people to use them, whilst creating citizen-friendly Internet sites with information on civil rights and public services. Finally enterprise should be encouraged through fiscal policies rewarding risk taking and by promoting the use of Information Society tools by SMEs in public programmes.