Brussels, 30/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - "Life-long training is a key priority for Europe if it hopes to hold a competitive position in the global economy. Training is not the sole responsibility of businesses and workers. Networks need to be created with companies, workers, schools, universities and research centres, managed by national governments with the backing of the European Commission, so as to develop a European strategy: so said Maurizio Angelo, President of the European Confederation of Executives and Managerial Staff (CEC), during a meeting with President Jacques Chirac of France.
The CEC leader expressed his concern about the lack of skills in the information and communication technologies sector (1.7 million jobs are expected to be axed in this sector in 2002, owing to a lack of qualified staff, according to the CEC) and the problem of elderly workers. Referring to a seminar the CEC organised last 6 October 6 in Paris, with the backing of the European Commission, to consider the theme of « Active Senior Citizens », Maurizio Angelo said that in Europe no more than 37% of people aged 55 to 65 were working, compared with 65% in the United States. He welcomed the fact that in the wake of the Lisbon and Feira Summits, knowledge and innovation have become a focal point of the process for boosting Europe's fortunes, particularly as managerial staff have a major contribution to make in this area.. Maurizio Angelo and President Chirac discussed a wide range of issues, including the involvement of women in the decision-making process, mobility of managerial staff within the EU, recognition of qualifications and the social modernisation process.