The 2000 European Human Resource Directors' Conference

Citation

(2000), "The 2000 European Human Resource Directors' Conference", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 24 No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2000.00324iab.003

The 2000 European Human Resource Directors' Conference

The 2000 European Human Resource Directors' Conference

Keywords: European Union, Spain, Conferences, Labour market

Mobility in a wide sense is a vital element of the single market. Freedom of movement within the European Union provides many opportunities for workers to find a job and for employers to find people with the right skills, thereby enhancing employment and economic growth. This is becoming particularly important in a more and more integrated economy, characterised by globalisation, technological change and increased competition, in which the availability of a highly skilled workforce is key to success. This was a key component of the message delivered by the new Director General of the European Commission's employment department, Odile Quintin, at the 10th European Human Resource Directors' Conference in Madrid, 22-23 June, hosted by the Spanish Employers' Confederation, CEOE.

In her concluding speech, Ms Quintin said that, in tightening labour markets, there is a risk of companies starting to compete for the most qualified workers. But, if we are to meet the ambitions of the Lisbon Council – to make Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy and society in the world, capable of sustainable growth with more and better jobs and social cohesion – then we must find ways in which all citizens can participate. We must make use of the potential of all workers. And to meet this challenge, investment in human resources, lifelong learning, is the way forward. Ms Quintin went through a number of policy measures at European level, aimed at facilitating mobility in a wide sense.

The conference brought together 100 human resource directors from across Europe and was officially opened by Juan Chozas, Secretary of State for Employment and Social Affairs.

Walter Faber of the European Commission underlined in his opening speech that, in the knowledge-based economy, labour is not a bulk good. We must optimise its allocation, and for this we must optimise the matching function of the labour market. Information on opportunities inside the company or group, in other companies, regions and countries must be available to make sure that the right man or woman is in the right place.

Professor Chris Brewster from Cranfield University, UK also contributed to laying the ground for the parallel workshops, by providing a snapshot of a European labour market, characterised by new forms of work and contractual relationships.

Then, in 13 concrete company cases, presented in the parallel workshops, best practices in place in European companies were highlighted, in the area of managing human resources with regard to fostering functional, professional and geographic mobility.