(6 October 2009) The gas social partners considered the final study of the project on demographic change and competencies. The representatives considered a series of recommendations by the researchers (David Tarren, Working Life Research Institute). Some of these were controversial such as the proposal that in response to the looming skill shortages employers and unions should consider to prolong the retirement age on a voluntary and individual basis for certain occupations. The union side was not in favour stressing that the companies and the sector should have a good system to predict labour market problems and take the necessary measures to address these. Keeping older workers in the company beyond the retirement age will block younger workers entering the industry and sends the wrong signals. Other issues are how to keep older workers active, qualified and healthy till the end of their working career, how to increase recruitment of older workers, women, workers with disabilities, how to improve the image of the sector, training of young workers and offering career perspectives amongst others. The issues will also be debated at the European Gas Conference on Demographic change and competencies on 4 November 2009, Brussels. The social partners will aim at joint recommendations.
The social partners also reflected on the 12 step plan on age management which is part of the toolkit. The toolkit underlines good practices and provides company case studies. These will be considered at the Conference as well. The toolkit was prepared by Jane Pillinger.
Other issues:
- The social partners asked the European Commission to evaluate the employment effects of the introduction of smart meters.
- Eurogas presented the a number of problematic issues concerning the regulation on security of gas supply. The N-1 rule (on failures in infrastructure) should be better defined for example.
- The gas social partners underlined the importance of being involved in the so-called Energy Roadmaps 2050 currently being developed by the European Commission. Employment, training and qualification issues are of prime relevance to ensure that Europe has the skilled workforce to implement a change to a low or zero carbon economy.
- Concerning the 2nd Social Forum of the Energy Community (Zagreb, 13-14 October 2009) the social partners stressed the importance of the social dialogue and that the national action plans need to be more then a wish list of what governments would like to do without any commitment, and more then a summary of what kind of social legislation is in place.
- For a next meeting the social partners will also consider which conclusions to draw from the study on the Future of Jobs and Competencies.
The meeting took place 5 October 2009 Brussels. For EPSU participated Richard Vadkerty, gas union Slovakia, Didier Baur, CGT-FNME France (and vice-president), Bob Mattews, GMB, UK and EPSU’s Deputy General Secretary
- Demographic change, skills and competencies in the gas sector
by David Tarren, Senior Research Fellow, Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University
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