Brussels, 11/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 May, the Council adopted conclusions on the employability of those graduating from national education and training systems. The objective is to develop a European benchmark that will help determine what education and training policies promote the employability of school leavers, namely, ensuring that the transition from school to jobs is successful. This benchmark should measure the employment rate among those leaving school or training schemes three years (at most) before the reference year and will focus on the compatibility of the level of studies undertaken with the professional activity exercised during the first few years of working life. Objective: to increase the percentage of those in work aged between 20 and 34 and who graduated no more than three years before the reference year, to 82% by 2020 (the same level as before the crisis in 2008). This percentage share stood at 76.5% in 2010. By adding this benchmark to the 6 others that already exist in education, the EU is demonstrating its determination to meet education challenges included in the EUROPE 2020 strategy and ensuring that youngsters leave school with the appropriate qualifications and skills for obtaining their first job. (IL/transl.fl)