e-Jobs Observatory

Celtic-Plus Proposers' Day and Event 2012

2012-01-24T10:47:00.002+01:00

The Event will take place at Näringslivets Hus Konferens & Restaurang Storgatan 19/ Stockholm. The EUREKA cluster Celtic-Plus organizes its 7th official Celtic Event and Celtic-Plus Proposer's Day on 22nd and 23rd February 2012 in Stockholm/ Sweden. The Event will be attended by around 200 experts and decision makers are expected to attend the sessions.

The focus will be on the new challenges for the telecommunications world and the competitiveness of Europe's telecommunications industry towards a Smart Connected World. The Celtic-Plus Proposers' Day provides a platform to present potential project ideas and to discuss them with other experts in order to build a strong project consortium. Participation only of the proposers' day (morning session) is free of charge (no lunch). You are welcome to attend also the Celtic Event, however, then you need to register and pay the event fee.

Discuss new research projects and build new project teams on:
• New service challenges:
• Get connected (telecommunications infrastructure challenges)
• Digital City
• Digital Home
• E-Health
• multi-disciplinary topicsHigh-level views on future challenges from industry perspective
• Future Internet, how the program impact should be extended
• Green-ICT, CleanTech, Smart Grids
• Inter-disciplinary challenges for a better, cleaner, energy-efficient world

Exhibition: In parallel to the Event a Celtic project exhibition will be organised by Celtic project teams demonstrating their achievements, demos or prototypes and discuss their results with interested experts. More information you can find here.

Distance Selling & e-Commerce Conference, January 23 Athens

2012-01-20T13:01:00.002+01:00

The aim of the Distance Selling & e-Commerce Conference 2012, is to reveal the ways and tools that make e-business, more competitive, versatile and customer-centric, as well as to identify barriers that exist and close the way to further development of e-commerce. Also, suggest modern (and proven) practices and practical technology solutions that will overcome these obstacles. The Conference aims to help business interested in forming a comprehensive and effective strategy that will create benefits for the entire industry.

The Conference will try to answer – among others - the following questions:
• Are Greek e-businesses competitive?
• Do they offer the customer experience that the customers expect?
• Which are the steps to be done to lead to development?
• Do they have recognizable brands trusted by customers?
• Do they have innovative and secure payment systems?
• Are the infrastructure and legislative framework sufficient for further development?
• Which are the innovations in the field of logistics and distribution?
• Is mobile commerce the next bet?

The Conference refers at all business in Greece that either activate, plan to operate or supply companies at Distance Selling. Invites all senior executives who specialize in marketing, business development, IT, customer service, procurement, e-commerce, multichannel marketing, direct marketing, logistics, market research from the following sectors: Retail, Travel Services, Hospitality, Transport / postal Services, Banking Services, Telecommunications, Electronics / Computers, Entertainment, Internet.

ProInterNet (PIN) project: Greek experts discuss about the future of Internet related Jobs

2012-01-19T09:13:00.005+01:00

The current interview is a discussion between two experts I. Marinou and I. Kostopoulos as a continuation of the first Round table of the ProInterNet (PIN) project, which took place in Patras, Greece on March 2011. The main aim of this meeting was to allow the interaction among the main key stakeholders or key players in the area of e-Jobs and internet related jobs, to share knowledge, practical experience and market needs in order to obtain direct feedback from them as well as to gather a compendium of recommendations to the stakeholders based on the brain-storming and information exchange during the meeting.

In the video the two experts, I. Marinou director of the Greek Man Power Employment Organization (OAED) in Patras and I. Kostopoulos ICT consultant in the Municipality of Patras, have given the definition of the internet industry and perceiving it as industry and they talk about its current dimension. Moreover, they outline their views on future needs, based on their experience, make suggestions about what can be done to improve the situation in the internet related job market, an issue of general discussion also on a public organization level.

ProInterNet (PIN) (http://www.prointernet-project.eu/) is a network project that will contribute to key objectives of Leonardo as defined in policy documents, such as the Treaty of Copenhagen. In particular, the project is to improve transparency, information systems and guidance on skills and qualifications for professions Internet at European level. The main aim of the project is the creation of the European Thematic Network for the internet professions and their related needs.

The activities planned by the project PIN will improve employability, reduce skill shortages in the EU labor market, improve the quality of Vocational Education – Training and will make Vocational Education – Training in ICT transparent and comparable at European level. Therefore it will benefit all target groups that involves in the web project. With the involvement of all related entities, outside the pool, in all phases of the project will reach critical mass that will allow continued cooperation at the network level. One of the project activities is to organize roundtables for exchange knowledge and to create a level-playing ground for future activities of the network. The project is receiving 75% for its funding from the European Lifelong Learning program. Ten partners from 8 European countries are participating in the project. Greece is representing by the Hellenic Open University through the participation of Educational Content, Technology and Methodology Laboratory directed by Assistant Professor Achilles Kameas.

What skills do you need for a Green ICT Job?

2012-01-18T10:21:00.001+01:00

The new Grenn IT node project investigates the needed skills and competences for green ICT jobs.

The project started in November 2011 and address the shortage of skilled professionals in the Green IT field. During the 24 months of the project, Green IT node will analyse the market needs, the existing trainings available for the different components and competences, and define a professional standard in the participating European countries.

Green IT node will develop European specialist profiles that are in compliance with the principles of the European metaframeworks EQF/e-CF and ECVET as well as guidelines for developing/setting-up further vocational training measures for Green ICT jobs. The expected impact will allow for comparable skills sets for these professions of the future which supports the European labour market and tus, the employability of professionals while at the same time contributing to one of the major challenges of Europe 2020.

Green IT node is funded by Lifelong Learning programme of the European Commission.

More information on the project
More information on eJobs in Europe

Action plan for doubling the volume of e-commerce in Europe by 2015

2012-01-17T12:13:00.003+01:00

The Commission has adopted a Communication presenting 16 targeted initiatives aiming to boost e-commerce from its current levels of 3.4% of total retail sales to 7% by 2015.
The plan places emphasis on strengthening a single harmonized framework for e-commerce and other commercial online services and proposes an action plan to remove five main obstacles to the Digital Single Market:

- the supply of legal, cross-border online services is still inadequate;
- there is not enough information for online service operators or protection for internet users;
- payment and delivery systems are still inadequate;
- there are too many cases of abuse and disputes that are difficult to settle;
- insufficient use is made of high-speed communication networks and hi-tech solutions.

To face up this reality new competences and skills will be needed for e-Commerce related jobs.

What are the main future jobs in the e-commerce field? Comment below!

Research on E-Commerce in Greece

2012-01-17T11:34:00.003+01:00

The annual survey of the Laboratory of Electronic Commerce (ELTRUN) Athens University of Economics on "Recording of the total e-commerce market in B-C, and behavior of Greek on-line consumers" has been completed recently. Despite the stabilizing trends in the second–half, the total purchases for goods and services of Greek consumers fluctuated in 2011 to 1.7 billion euros, an increase of 30% compared to 2010. Right now, 1.5 million on-line Greek consumers buy on average 14–15 times a year by using the Internet, spending 1,150 euros/year, of which 2/3 bound for Greek sites. The annual incidence and value of the purchases of Greek online consumers are now corresponding to the European averages.

Presentation of Research:
http://www.startupgreece.gov.gr/sites/default/files/Ecommerce_final_v1.pdf
Research Facts and Figures (Executive Summary):
http://www.startupgreece.gov.gr/sites/default/files/Ecommerce_symperiforaonlinekatanaloton11_v3.pdf
Website: http://www.startupgreece.gov.gr/el/data-trends

Teaching of computer science in UK lacks relevance

2012-01-17T11:22:00.002+01:00

The teaching of computer science must become more relevant to modern needs, said the government.

The UK government said the current teaching of IT was "insufficiently rigorous and in need of reform". This impression results from an industry report investigating technology teaching in the UK. The report was published in October and criticised current ICT classes as those tended to aim at conveying how to use software instead of writing it. As a consequence, a major task would be to investigate ways to tempt good teachers of computer science into schools.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15923113

Teens overtake ICT teachers at school

2012-01-17T11:05:00.001+01:00

According to a Microsoft study, many teenagers are immersed in technology at home - but are not able to translate this into learning technology skills at school.
Such a skills gap is a "major concern" for employers, says Mr Beswick, Microsoft's director of education. He points out that pupils will have to be able to leave school with adequate skills in information technology which will be required by the jobs market.

The survey claims that 71% of teenagers think that they learn more about information technology outside of school than in formal ICT lessons. This is especially, because most of the teenagers are used to social networking platforms. Those platforms require skills that would be useful to employers, he says, as the users are skilled in collaborating and interacting in a creative way.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12192047

Teaching situation of ICT in secondary schools in England

2012-01-17T10:51:00.002+01:00

The teaching of information and communications technology (ICT) is inadequate in a fifth of secondary schools in England, Ofsted says.

It is also stated that teachers lack the know how to teach demanding topics satisfactory such as databases and programming. As a consequence, the number of pupils taking ICT courses has decreased dramatically since 2007.

Chief inspector Miriam Rosen said "[…] Schools should provide a range of ICT courses that are suitably matched to students' needs, support them with their learning and prepare them for higher education and for skilled work in a technological age."

According to Schools Minister Nick Gibb, too many young people were not being equipped with the skills and knowledge they needed for further study and the workplace. He said "We are looking very carefully at ICT as part of the national curriculum review and have listened closely to the computing industry's calls for more rigorous computer science courses to help tackle the skills shortages facing high-tech industries."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16157519

Successful partner meeting in Stuttgart, Germany

2012-01-17T10:50:00.001+01:00

The partner meeting at DEKRA in Stuttgart, Germany (09/01/12 - 10/01/12) was a successful event from the consortium`s point of view. The focus of this meeting was set on the Certification and Labelisation process for trainings on internet-related jobs. In the course of the meeting, the partners elaborated measures for a successful realisation of those steps.

The next partner meeting will take place in Wroclaw, Poland in June 2012.

Small companies create 85% of new jobs

2012-01-16T16:38:00.003+01:00

According to study from the European Union , SME are responsible of the net creation of 85% of employment inside the EU between 2002 and 2010. Anual growth in SME is 1% and 0.5 % in large companies. This also confirm that 2 on 3 jobs are done in SME (67 %) Small companies under 10 empoyees develop more the employment than any other group. Salaries and security is lower in SME than in large companies.
This is why it is absolutly needed to think about SME in vocational training! at the moment as the studies show that mainly jobs profiles and training courses are developped on large companies models.
All work done by e-jobs observatory take in account the SME training needs as well than for large companies.
To have a look on professional functions profiles for e-jobs, have a look on this page !
Comments are welcome!

FOM publishes working paper "Needs of the Internet Industry - Making Offer meet Demand in Training and Education"

2012-01-16T15:03:00.013+01:00

FOM published a working paper with the title "Needs of the Internet Industry - Making Offer meet Demand in Training and Education". It represents the major findings from the national roundtables in the participating countries of the e-Jobs Observatory.

The report is part of the (PIN) ProInterNet network project which is conducted in the framework of the Leonardo Da Vinci Lifelong Learning programme and funded by the European Commission. It aims at identifying the current and prospective needs of European small and medium-sized enterprises in regard to internet-related jobs. In the course of the project, the partner countries organized roundtable meetings in order to promote the idea of transparent and transnational job profiles in regard to internet-related jobs and create a network of national key players. The following report presents the results that were obtained from the first round of meetings carried out in seven EU countries. The main conclusions at European level elaborated during the roundtable meetings are the following ones:

Employees in Europe do not have sufficient high level competences which are needed in future. Therefore, it is urgent to act immediately.
SMEs ask for a high level of professional qualifications for their vacancies. It is difficult to find adequate candidates with proper soft skills.
There is a large gap between the approaches of the stakeholders: Training organisations, companies (especially SMEs), intermediary organisations, students and jobseekers.

Furthermore, a compendium of recommendations was gathered for each country in order to improve the current situation in the field of e-jobs. A few examples of the most important ones are:

Unify education, training and employment by intensifying collaboration between training institutions and prospective employers.
Anticipate necessities, be open to talent and promote initiatives that facilitate “learning-from-each-other” processes.
This type of measures should be facilitated by governments at local, national and European level.

The document can be assessed under the following link: http://www.fom.de/fileadmin/fom/downloads/forschungsberichte/arbeitspapiere/AP_22.pdf

Sustainability Systems Developer - one of the ten green jobs for the next decade

2012-01-13T12:32:00.003+01:00

Massive investments in clean energy promise to keep farmers, urban planners, and green-tech entrepreneurs in business for the next decade. The profile of Sustainability Systems Developer has been listed together with other 9 non IT profiles as one of the ten best green jobs for the next decade!
The green economy needs a cadre of specialized software developers and engineers who design, build, and maintain the networks, as well as developers familiar with open source and web 2.0 applications.

More information

e-reputation decisive key for employment !

2012-01-03T15:32:00.000+01:00

Before deciding to engage someone, recruiters mainly check what is available on the candidate on social networks and search engines ! 8% of companies have already fired someone due to something which was written on the internet !
Metiers du Web has published an interressant study about employment and e-reputation (in french language)

Multilingualism for jobs mobility, but not only

2011-12-20T10:56:00.001+01:00

On November 17, the Council of the European Union issued conclusions on language competences to enhance mobility. In the document the Council not only addresses multilingualism for jobs mobility but also mentions the importance to foster better use of language competences as a mean of increasing the competitiveness of EU business, and especially that of small and medium-sized enterprises. In this context, the Council welcomes the work of the Business Platform for Multilingualism of which EMF is a member of the Steering Committee, and invites the European Commission to further pursue its support and stakeholder initiatives of this kind.

Download the document

Implementing eCompetence Framework into ICT SMEs

2011-12-15T09:33:00.005+01:00

As a result of the "eCF into SMEs" project, the document “Implementing eCompetence Framework into ICT SMEs” focuses on the issues raised by the implementation of the eCompetence Framework in ICT SMEs. It also addresses the issue of moving SMEs towards a greater awareness of their e-competence needs and e-certification opportunities. The document has been carried out in the framework of the CEN WS ICT Skills with funding from the European Commission.

The document contains the following outcomes:

-The current set of ICT SME e-CF competences and levels with possible language simplifications
-A tool for e-competence need analysis within ICT SMEs that will replace the semi-structures questionnaire as new release shared and adjusted with SMEs
-An e-Certification chart example based on e-CERT method connecting ICT SMEs e-DF competences to e-certifications available on the market (both proprietary and open source)
-A synthetic document with conclusions of interviews within SMEs
-Overall considerations on costs of e-competence formal recognition (i.e. e-certification) for SMEs.

Download the document

More trainings about e-jobs

2011-12-08T11:07:00.003+01:00

Trainings in the field of e-jobs are increasing each day. More and more students are trained in this field, nevertheless on the companies side (specially SME under 20 employees who represent more than 80% of non-public employment ) still express difficulties to recruit employees they need !

Universities and training organisations teach mainly knowledge, which is of course the basics of the work. But in addition, in a recruitment process candidates have to show and to prove that they have more than knowledge ! they have to prove that they can increase the revenue of the company. Key points for recruiting, on the company side is a balance between the "best employee" and the less risked one ! Recruiters make arbitrage between those two main issues ! For that they evaluate things such as team spirit, attention to details and precision, communication and cooperation with members of the team and with custommers and partners. To have, and to show effectivly a "custommer orientation" is decisive according to the results of the studies of the E-jobs-Observatory. More detailled issues are available in french language on Le Cerle Les Echos.

François Adoue
Credit photo http://www.photo-libre.fr

Present and future of the Internet Content Curation

2011-12-07T10:09:00.010+01:00

Curation is already becoming an overused word. The way in which we discover content that we like and how it gets in front of us is changing radically durign the last years. We descrived the Internet Curator´s role in our Blog post on April 2011 as someone who seek on the web information related to a specific domain, filter them, select them, organise and present them. In few months the Curation is adopting new roles and different Curation pillars have been descrived:

1. Algorithmic curation:- We see stuff because a technological process interprets, anticipates, or predicts our needs. Obvious examples include Google personalising search results through what else it knows about us, or serving ads based on the context of the content that surrounds them, or Facebook Edgerank interpreting which content out of all that which is posted by our connections is important to us, and Amazon recommending products to us based on what it knows about our purchase history and that of thousands of others.

2. Professional curation:- we see stuff because a skilled editor or commisioner uses their insight into a particular audience to determine what might interest us. It's the granddaddy of curation and there remains huge value in this.

3. Social curation:- we see stuff because we, our friends, or a wider audience think it's good/relevant. Social curation has been around for years (tagging and voting on social bookmarking services, ranking by ratings, Twitter lists, Google+ circles). But the applications are becoming more sophisticated all the time. The Guardian Zeitgiest prototype for example, combines social analytics (how many people shared specific pieces of content across the site, or commented) with web analytics (referrals, how many people have looked at it/read it) to create "a visual record of what people are currently finding interesting on guardian.co.uk at the moment". [Source: Only dead fish]

What will be the future of the Content Curation?Are we approaching to the semantic web or Web 3.0?

Related information: New internet job : Curator.

Innovation for E-Participation - international conference in Poznań, Poland 16/11/2011

2011-12-02T15:14:00.017+01:00

Innovation for E-Participation - report from international conference held in Poznań, Poland.

On 16th November 2011 an international conference "Innovation for E-Participation " took place, which preceded the sixth European Ministerial Conference and Exhibition on e-Government egov2011PL, which was held on 17-18 November 2011.

The conference was attended by nearly 200 international participants, some of the delegates to the Ministerial Conference, and partly out of individuals dealing with Pan-European associations of innovation, electronic business and electronic administration.

"In these times we need to learn how to build a culture of innovation, to make it a strong force behind economic development. Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, as a public institution, which conducts an evaluation of the implemented programs to support innovation of Polish enterprises, is prepared to discuss the next financial perspectives for 2014-2020. We can define the most effective mechanisms to support innovation in business and the administration "- said Bozena Lublińska.

Direct links to key presentations (in English) used during lecture are located below. All presentations from conference can be downloaded here.

International conference „Innovation for e-Participation”, Poznań
Innovations for eGovernment participation - Harry van Dorenmalen Chairman IBM Europe
E-Participation: real life projects - Ivar Tallo Founder and Member of the Board eGovernance Academy
Innovation for e-Participation - Michał Jaworski National Technology Officer Microsoft Poland
Cloud Computing as an enabling platform for eParticipation - Vincenzo Gianferrari Pini Chairman GoCloud

Internet industry deals well with financial crisis!

2011-12-02T14:33:00.012+01:00

Internet industry doesn't suffer from financial crysis. According to the IAB Adex study, conducted by PwC, the value of the Polish market of online advertising in the first half of 2011 amounted to almost billion zł. It is about a quarter more than in the corresponding period of last year. Video Advertising also increased its strength, as well as the expenditures for product advertising.

Report of the IAB survey conducted by PwC Adex indicates that the value of the online advertising market in Poland in the first half of 2011 amounted to 942 million zł, which - compared to 741 million zł recorded during the first six months of 2010 - is an increase of 201 million zł. Taking into account the results of previous studies it has to be stated that the upward trend in this sector still persists.

Taking into account the structure of Internet advertising the most important channel of advertising is graphics ad with 40% share in the first half of 2011. On the following locations were, respectively: marketing search engines (SEM - 34%), advertisements (18%) and e-mail (7%). All ad types recorded increases.

Social science: Fancy building your own social network?

2011-12-02T11:31:00.002+01:00

"HSBC develops secret plan for 'own version of Facebook'" said the headline from communications industry publication PR Week.
The magazine claimed to have a leaked pitch document that laid out the banking giant's plans to create their own social network to rival the likes of Facebook.

The story was picked up by several newspapers and across the internet to a mixed reception. Or "Doomed" as one commenter on the original article predicted. So it's perhaps just as well that the bank says things are not quite what they seem. "There are no plans for the bank to introduce a social network", says James Thorpe, a spokesperson for HSBC.

According to Mr Thorpe the procurement department had decided the bank needed a list of preferred suppliers for social media services and had drawn up the document mentioned above. It got into the wrong hands and was misconstrued.

"Although your bank's website might not seem like a natural fit for a place to share pictures of your cat, that doesn't necessarily mean that niche social networks, or community platforms as they're often known, have no place in your business plan", says Fiona Graham Technology of business reporter, BBC News. More

What is the key issue from this article, is how social networks, or community platforms become more important in the business world, in the implied need to have qualified people in the field of eJobs.

More specialist IT skills needed among young people in Britain

2011-11-30T09:48:00.002+01:00

The IT employment sector is growing five times faster than the UK average. In the next five years some 500,000 new entrants will be needed. However most of these jobs – research analysts, software developers, infrastructure specialists, systems engineers – will demand higher level qualifications and skills.

There are specially real opportunities for young people who are increasingly under-represented in the IT sector. Educational performance will need to radically transform to provide the calibre of entrants required. An overhaul of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) curriculum is required. It is hoped that Behind the Screen, an industry-funded trial of a new computing curriculum, will help to achieve this. Co-opting tech companies on to school governing bodies would promote the sector to young people. [Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk]

IT Professional profiling tool

2011-11-24T12:24:00.003+01:00

The National Skills Academy, led by e-Skills UK, has launched the beta version of the IT Professional profiling tool . The applications is a free on-line tool allows people evaluate their professional skills against an agreed industry benchmark - the IT Professional Standards.

Using the IT Professional Standards , the tool helps to benchmark the skill levels and to create an IT Professional Profile. Once the profile is create it allows to share the online profile or find high quality online learning to develop a career.

European e-Skills Conference, 13 December 2011, Brussels

2011-11-23T11:36:00.001+01:00

The European e-Skills 2011 Conference will be a kick-off for the preparation of the European e-Skills Week, which will be held on 26-30 March 2012. As an initiative of the European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry, the European e-Skills Week Conference will feature the presentation of the roadmap for the European e-Skills Week campaign in 2012, together with presentations from industry leaders, policy makers and key note speakers from universities and an overview of different national activities.

The conference is organised by the European Commission Directorate-General Enterprise and Industry, in partnership with DIGITALEUROPE, EUN Schoolnet and other leading stakeholders.

More information and registrations

Green ICT: Trends and Challenges

2011-11-22T15:12:00.009+01:00

Created by UPGRADE, a bi-monthly European informatics e-journal that covers many diverse topics of particular interest to IT professionals and academics, "Green ICT: Trends and Challenges" covers the following topics:

ICT: The Information Society’s Commitment for Environmental Sustainability
CEPIS Green ICT Survey – Examining Green ICT Awareness in Organisations: Initial Findings
The Five Most Neglected Issues in "Green IT"
Utility Computing: Green Opportunities and Risks
Good, Bad, and Beautiful Software – In Search of Green Software Quality Factors
Towards the Virtual Power Grid: Large Scale Modeling and Simulation of Power Grids
Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Smart Grid Applications
Green Computing: Saving Energy by Throttling, Simplicity and Parallelization
Towards Sustainable Solutions for European Cloud Computing
A State-of-the-Art on Energy Efficiency in Today’s Datacentres: Researcher’s Contributions and Practical Approaches

Download the document

Qualifications frameworks in Europe: modernising education and training

2011-11-22T12:53:00.005+01:00

The following briefing released by CEDEFOP explains the important role qualifications frameworks are playing in Europe and the challenges to ensure the success of National Qualifications Frameworks.

A clearer understanding of what qualifications mean will make it easier for people to move from one type or level of learning to another; for example, from general education to vocational education and training (VET), from school-based training to apprenticeships, or from upper-secondary to university.

Publication: Evaluation for improving student outcomes

2011-11-16T14:32:00.006+01:00

The publication "Evaluation for improving student outcomes. Messages for quality assurance policies" created by Cedefop, highlights a number of key messages for policy and decision-makers responsible for setting the conditions for developing a culture of evaluation in schools and training institutions. The document aims to provide policy and decision-makers with recommendations on external evaluation and self-assessment and building trust between stakeholders to ensure quality in education and training provision.

The publication is based on the findings of the study visits on quality assurance mechanisms in schools and vocational training institutions and, more specifically, on good examples of policies and practices identified during two 'peer learning' visits that took place in Vilnius and Hamburg in the third quarter of 2010. The publication also draws on Cedefop's work on gathering, analysing and disseminating information on quality in VET.

Download the publication

PIN project presented at FOM Research Forum in Essen, 19/11/2011

2011-11-15T12:50:00.004+01:00

Michael Negri will present the PIN project during the FOM research forum 2011 in Essen. The aim of the forum is to foster the interaction between lecturers and students and to provide insight into the research activities of the FOM.

More about the PIN project

IT Pro | Dev Connections 2011

2011-11-15T11:07:00.012+01:00

The community of Greek IT professionals, the autoexec.gr, in cooperation with the respective community of developers, the dotNETZone.gr, will organize the event “IT Pro | Dev Connections 2011” with five parallel tracks on 26 and 27 November, 2011 which will be held at the Training Center of the National Bank of Greece.

Digital trends 2011 on Cloud Coputing and Green ICT

2011-11-15T10:34:00.003+01:00

The Hellenic Professionals Informatics Society (HePIS), and the Council of European Professionals Informatics Society (CEPIS) are co-hosting Digital Trends 2011, the first Forum in Greece to encourage dialogue on the contribution of the ICT sector to economic growth, increased productivity, the advancement of a creative digital culture, the adoption of 'Green' and 'Cloud' practices and the strengthening of the overall role of industry professionals’ within the business community. The event will be held in Athens, on 5 December 2011.

The main issues to be adressed are:

- "Green" practices, business benefits and migration plans

- The 'business case' of cloud computing and its corporate value

- How do Cloud Computing and Green ICT change the way ICT departments operate?

The European e-Skills Week 2012 launched!

2011-11-14T10:44:00.004+01:00

Organized by DIGITALEUROPE and European Schoolnet, together with the European Commission - DG Enterprise and Industry -, the second European e-Skills week will take place on 26 -30 March 2012.

The event will be focused on showing people how to get jobs and e-skills for life in the digital age. Options for education, training, and opportunities for jobs and growth will be a highlight, and will demonstrate why ICT is so important for any new job.

Preparatory work for the European e-Skills Week 2012 will commence in December 2011 and activities will continue up until May 2012.

More

Three new e-Jobs Observatory platform supporters

2011-11-09T15:09:00.005+01:00

CIAPE, the Italian National Permanent Learning Centre, TECNALIA from Spain and SEED from Switzerland joined recently the e-Jobs Observatory partner network.

The three new partners appear now in the "about" section of the site together with other supporters and they will acquire editorial rights which will allow to share information on the platform and participate in the restricted collaborative working group of e-Jobs supporters.

If you are interested in joining the network please fill in the form or contact us.

E-Business Days 2011 in Stuttgart

2011-11-04T11:47:00.004+01:00

The E-Business days 2011 will take place in Stuttgart, 08 and 09 November. The topic this year will be "Corporate Social Media and Web Intelligence in the B2B Industry".

For more information (German), please refer to http://www.e-business.iao.fraunhofer.de/veranstaltungen/beschreibung/sebt11.jsp

Mapping Digital Competence: Towards a Conceptual Understanding

2011-11-02T10:58:00.001+01:00

Talk of competences is all the rage in the training and education fields, so the introduction of another one may seem like more than enough of a good thing. In an increasingly digital-determined world, however, it is not surprising that "digital competence" has also entered into the vocabulary. But what exactly is "digital competence"? Which concepts and ideas are used to describe it? How should we understand the term? These are the questions which the recently release report, Mapping Digital Competence: Towards a Conceptual Understanding, seeks to answer.

The report, produced by the IS Unit at JRC-IPTS, is the result of a project to develop guidelines for supporting digital competence development in Europe which was launched on the request of DG Education and Culture. The report reviews needs for digital competence, different concepts used to describe and understand it, as well as related policy approaches and measurements. Based on these, it suggests a conceptual model encompassing:

Instrumental knowledge and skills for tool and media usage;
Advanced skills and knowledge for communication and collaboration, information management, learning and problem-solving, and meaningful participation;
Attitudes to strategic skills usage in intercultural, critical, creative, responsible and autonomous ways.

According to the report, instrumental knowledge and skills are a precondition for developing or using more advanced skills. The objective of the conceptual model is to highlight the various knowledge, skill and attitude areas that should be considered when developing digital competence. The proposed structure allows for flexibility and for the concept to be tailored to different target groups of digital competence learners and users.

Author: Kirsti Ala-Mutka
EUR Number: Technical Note: JRC 67075
Publication date: 10/2011

The report can be downloaded at http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=4699.

Jobs of the future, Microsoft Training and certifying for the Cloud

2011-11-01T21:54:00.006+01:00

It has become common to hear about new digital technologies, such as the transition to the “Cloud”, but we do not have to forget about the necessity of qualified people able to manage this kind of technologies.

Don Field, Senior Director of Microsoft Certification programs, talks about the exciting new opportunities that these technologies hold for SME’s and large businesses and the turning point that training platforms can make to equip a well prepared workforce. (Video)

It is important to think ahead and anticipate trends in the workplace in order to prepare the next generation and steer current employees for their future jobs. Microsoft certifications are plotted against a skills roadmap , incorporating new skills for the cloud, that match developments in industry to talent pools. People that have validated skills that are transferable across industries and across boundaries will play a significant role in Europe meeting its goals for 2020.

Cloud computing, transforming the game in Europe?

2011-10-31T21:28:00.003+01:00

Cloud computing has all the ingredients of a true revolution in the way business, governments and individuals handle information. Yet, contrary to most of the revolutions that preceded it, it lacks the ability to provide a real object that would symbolize it. The invention of the printing press produced books, then came automobiles, telephones, televisions, transistors, computers. All could be seen, touched and visualized. Cloud computing has to do with invisible flows (data) and processes because it is independent from the equipment and platforms it involves therefore it is much more difficult to describe, explain, and promote.

A perfect storm?

It is becoming clear that all organizations adopting (or considering to adopt) the cloud, whether public or private, acknowledge this technology as a tool for better management. In other words, cloud computing is not just regarded as a way to cut costs and access new resources and processes, but also as a transformative tool by which business strategies, business models, competition and innovation can be improved and qualitatively changed.

Europe, and the skills challenge

Identifying and mastering the most profitable aspects of cloud computing will require the development of specific skills at all levels of public and private organizations. Such skills will include for example the ability to think strategically across platforms, sectors and functions. It will also include a distinct capacity to identify new opportunities by which existing comparative advantages can be leveraged through cloud computing. This calls for innovative and curious minds that are able to spot relevant experiences from other firms, other sectors and other countries.

Can European businesses and public entities identify and mobilize such skills in the short run? If they do not already have them on board, how can they attract and keep them? How can private business, universities and governments cooperate to generate them? Thus are some of the questions that will need to be addressed rapidly, imaginatively and decisively if cloud computing is to fully play its role as a competitiveness booster and as a game changer in Europe, as it has started to do in other parts of the world.

By: Bruno Lanvin , Executive Director, eLab, INSEAD

More information..

Academics do not have deep understanding of OA

2011-10-31T19:53:00.002+01:00

Academics do not have a very deep understanding of open access (OA) publishing, according to a study carried out by the University of Nottingham which was discussed at Internet Librarian International by Willow Fuchs of the University's Centre for Research Communications.

Chemists and economists at 11 UK institutions were surveyed to find out about their knowledge of OA, and to probe more deeply into why they do, or do not, make their work available on an OA basis. 130 responses were received.

The survey reveals a lack of awareness among certain respondents.

Only 64% of respondents were aware that their institutions had a repository - when in fact they all did.
56% of respondents also said that their institutions did not have an OA mandate when in fact they did, suggesting that there is still some way to go to get academics' beliefs and behaviours aligned with institutional policy.

The survey also asked why academics might - or might not - make their work available on an OA basis. The top reason cited by respondents was 'because it improves accessibility to my work'. Citation advantage ranked in the middle, and the existence of mandates ranked at the bottom of respondents' answers.

When asked why they did not make work available as OA, the most popular responses were 'I need to publish in high impact journals' or 'it is too expensive' - both cases, as Willow Fuchs pointed out, indicating that they are thinking about OA in terms of journals rather than repositories.

Recommendations arising from the research include changing incentive frameworks so that making work OA is rewarded and ensuring funder participation so that OA policies are re-emphasised and enforced, as well as advocacy among academics and a more top-down approach from institutional policy makers.

10 Ways To Beat The Job-Search Blues:

2011-10-31T19:13:00.004+01:00

A recent survey of jobless Americans confirms what any unemployed person already knows: being out of work is depressing — very depressing. More than half of the 445 people surveyed between Oct. 19 and 25 in The New York Times/CBS News poll “said that they had experienced emotional or mental health problems like anxiety or depression because of their lack of work, and nearly half said that they had felt embarrassed or ashamed not to have jobs,”

According to Deborah L. Jacobs, from Forbes Staff, at times like this, you need every available resource and coping mechanism. Based on interviews with career coaches and recent e-mails — both from experts and job-hunters —there are 10 basic advices:

1. Join a support group.

2. Volunteer for a non-profit.

3. Project optimism (even if you have to fake it).

4. Take stock of your professional achievements.

5. Check how many people have viewed your profile on LinkedIn.

6. Make a list of the things you are thankful for.

7. Curb bad habits.

8. Build a virtual board of directors.

9. Schedule personal time.

10. Create a safety net.

More Information

LLP Infoday 2012, 28 October, Brussels

2011-10-20T13:29:00.001+02:00

Organised by the European Commission (Direction General Education and Culture) and the Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency, The Infoday 2012 wants to give useful information on the priorities of the 2012 call and what's new to the programme. The event will also provide practical advice on the preparation and submission of proposals, and on the management of grants.

More information

Green Skills Forum

2011-10-20T10:45:00.003+02:00

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and the OECD Local Economic and Employment Development Programme (LEED) are organising a joint Green Skills Forum to be held at OECD Headquarters in Paris on 27th February 2012.

The forum aims to draw on lessons from work conducted by the OECD, Cedefop, and other organisations on the implications of the green economy for skills development and training policies. These insights will contribute to the OECD’s Green Growth Strategy studies such as the LEED project on Measuring the Potential of Green Growth and to Cedefop’s Green Skills activities, which contribute to the European Commission’s initiative on New Skills for New Jobs.

Contributors are invited to submit proposals of a maximum 500 words to the conference organisers by 1 December 2011.

More information

Report on ICT Professionalism and Training Programmes for ICT Managers in Europe

2011-10-19T11:22:00.003+02:00

In the context of the e-Skills and ICT Professionalism project, CEPIS and the Innovation Value Institute (IVI) have published a synthesis report on "State of play regarding ICT Professionalism and Training Programmes for ICT Managers in Europe”. The objective of the research initiative is to support the development of:

-a European Framework for ICT Professionalism with the goal of enhancing ICT professionalism and mobility across Europe,
-a European Training Programme for ICT managers to promote new competences with a view to better address the challenges of ICT driven innovation and the future Internet.

The European Commission Directorate General Enterprise and Industry launched the project "e-Skills and ICT Professionalism" with the aim of supporting the development of a European Framework for ICT Professionalism, and a European Training Programme for ICT Managers, with the goal of improving ICT professionalism and mobility across Europe. This synthesis report marks the halfway point of pioneering research which is due to be completed in January 2012 and also signifies the end of Phase I of the project.

Download the report

1st Berlin Symposium on Internet and Society

2011-10-19T10:24:00.003+02:00

The 1st Berlin Symposium on Internet and Society: Exploring the Digital Future, will take place the 25-28 October 2011 in Berlin.

The event is looking forward to welcoming Internet & society scholars from all disciplines to exchange perspectives and deliberate about the best ways to research and shape the ransformation of our societies caused by networked information technology.

More information

Foundation of the Institute for Internet and Society

2011-10-19T09:12:00.005+02:00

Hosted by three leading academic institutions in Germany, including Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin University of the Arts and the Social Science Research Center Berlin, and in close collaboration with the Hans-Bredow-Institute in Hamburg, the institute will bring together leading academics to engage in innovative research focusing on questions of Internet innovation, Internet policy, information and media law and global constitutionalism. The institute is meant as an enabling environment for an open debate and fruitful discussion of the many questions arising from the leading role that new technologies play in the context of the global information society.

Source: http://www.internetundgesellschaft.de/ (can also be assessed for further information)

Discover the opportunities of the Game Industry at the Paris Game Week!

2011-10-18T15:03:00.006+02:00

The sixth edition of the Paris Game Week will take place at Paris Expo Hall 3 from 21 to 25 October 2011.

The Games week is great place to discover the opportunities this dynamic industry offer as well as to learn about appropriate training to get a job such as game designer, 2D/3D designer, animator, programmer or community manager. The main training institutions (schools or universities) will welcome visitors in a dedicated area of the Paris Expo Hall 3.

More information

Skills shortage in the digital content and technology sector in Ireland

2011-10-18T11:54:00.003+02:00

Dr Stephen Brennan, director of marketing and strategy at the Digital Hub, said at a skills seminar that jobseekers don’t demonstrate the soft skills needed in the digital content and technology sector.

Dr Brennan noted that “Everyone in the digital content and technology sector knows there’s a skills shortage in Ireland, with 2,500 unfilled jobs as a result. A major problem is we’re not producing enough graduates with the types of skills needed by enterprises in this sector,”. Regarding academic qualifications and technical expertise, he added that "The required skills-sets aren’t just based on academic qualifications and technical expertise. Employers are also looking for people who demonstrate creativity, flexibility, self-motivation and strong communications skills. The digital sector is generating new types of jobs in an emerging marketplace. And jobseekers must respond accordingly".Brennan also mentioned a number of mistakes commonly made by jobseekers such as not including links to their online profiles on their CVs, not saying why they want to work for that business in particular, or not highlighting their relevant experience. "If you’re applying for a position in computer gaming, software development or animation, one of the first things the business-owner wants to see is samples of your existing work. So post a show-reel online and include a link to it in your CV" said Dr Brennan. (Source Siliconrepublic)

More information

UK: Report on Skills for Business

2011-10-18T11:47:00.003+02:00

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has released a report on "Skills for Business: more to learn?" that sets out recommendations to help resolve the skills shortage in the UK and improve the employability of the British workforce. The BCC’s research looked at the issues around skills, apprenticeships and training to understand the challenges faced by businesses operating in a labour market dramatically altered by the financial crisis.

One of the main findings shows that the majority of businesses find it hard to recruit the right staff. 45.4% of businesses reported it very or quite difficult to find the right staff member for a position and only 27.8% find it very or quite easy.

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce comments that "a skilled workforce is fundamental to every successful business in the UK, and developing the capability of our workforce is crucial for economic growth and international competitiveness. Our members recognise the importance of investing in skills and training, even when times are financially hard. Even though the businesses that we surveyed are keen to recruit new staff members and expand, a lack of appropriate skills within the labour pool is limiting business growth."

Download the report

British graduates lack the basic skills needed to join the workforce

2011-10-11T11:36:00.004+02:00

The survey "Business education survey 2011 - Freshminds poll of 28 top UK companies for Young Enterprise" carried out by by the Young Enterprise charity in the UK show that three out of four firms (75%) feel the British education system is not equipping young people with the skills they need to enter the workforce.

Researchers found that thousands of young people arrive at interviews without the "vital employability skills" required by employers such as having a suitable grasp of English, being punctual and having a general "can do" attitude.

Young Enterprise charity chairman Ian Smith said that the situation is getting worse because the Department for Education is adopting an alarmingly narrow focus on academic skills and exams.

Download the survey
More information

The Information and Communications Technology Industry in Germany, Issue 2011

2011-10-10T13:44:00.003+02:00

The following link directs you to an interesting study on the ICT industry in Germany conducted by Germand Trade and Invest: http://www.santiago.diplo.de/contentblob/3082330/Daten/1148251/GTAI_ICT_DD.pdf

German Gaming Industry Revenues Surpass Music and Cinema

2011-10-10T13:42:00.002+02:00

Gaming industry revenues in Germany have overtaken both the music industry and cinema-going. Taking in EUR 1.86 billion in 2010 with growth rates of 6 percent, Germany is turning heads in a segment long dominated by countries like Japan, Korea and the USA. And with Germany’s economy buzzing along despite global economic turbulence, start-up hotspots like Berlin are drawing increasing attention. Germany Trade & Invest will be on hand at this year’s Gamescom from August 17-21 in Cologne to share the latest opportunities in Germany’s thriving gaming industry.

“Game developers and publishers find outstanding investment conditions in Germany. With a domestic market of 23 million gamers along with internationally-minded and affordable programmers and software developers, companies can serve the German, European, and broader international markets from one location,” said Henri Troillet, gaming industry expert at Germany Trade & Invest in Berlin.

Industry trends worldwide have seen a shift away from PCs and consoles and an increase in mobile, online and browser-based games. Distribution channels have also been upended in recent years, with online and in-app purchases increasing significantly. With such large changes underway, the industry has become fragmented and thereby attractive for start-ups. In Germany, the combination of a world-class IT infrastructure, strong education system and the country’s growing appeal for international developers has created a ripe situation for start-ups and companies to invest.

Source: http://www.gtai.com/homepage/info-service/press-releases/jul-aug-11/german-gaming-industry-revenues-surpass-music-and-cinema/?backlink=Back%20to%20previous%20page

CeBIT Bilişim Eurasia 6 – 9 October 2011

2011-10-10T11:40:00.002+02:00

Being the No. 1 ICT fair in Eurasia, CeBIT Bilişim Eurasia will once again be "The meeting point of ICT industry". ICT is an essential part of future business strategies, opening up new fields and new potential for growth in just about every industry.

In 2011, with its renewed structure, CeBIT Bilişim Eurasia will deliver the right solutions for actual needs of companies and showcase the rapid development taking place. With its new concepts, CeBIT Bilişim Eurasia will offer you just more than an exhibition!

THE FOUR PLATFORMS at CeBIT BİLİŞİM EURASIA

CeBIT Bilişim Eurasia 2011 will bring together ICT suppliers and users in the context of four integrated platforms. This optimized concept will offer you plenty of benefits not to miss.
The four platforms create a strong user-oriented structure and ensure that you reach your target audiences more efficiently than ever before.

• Clear concept that brings together ICT suppliers and users in the most efficient way possible.
• Clear signposting for optimum navigation.
• Special presentation formats that allow CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia exhibitors to achieve even greater impact.

CeBIT SYNERGY SUMMIT

CeBIT Synergy Summit is hosting business and ICT professionals from different industries, NGO's academics, politics and leaders of public enterprises.

Conferences / Seminars / Forums

Onsite presentations about the following topics during
conferences, seminars and forums:

• Telecommunication
• Finance
• eGovernment
• Smart Living Concepts
• eHealth

Uniquely positioned to address the region's flourishing ICT market, CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia (6–9 October 2011) is the ideal platform from which to launch new products and services.

Are you looking for a guaranteed way to boost your business into new dimensions? Then now is the time to set your compass for Turkey, a nation which is well on its way to becoming the number 1 digital business platform of Eurasia.

CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia attracts a highly global audience year after year, generating unrivalled opportunities for everyone interested in expanding their business base and tapping into new markets.

CeBIT Bilişim Eurasia, where the "application, product and information" triad comes together in a unique environment, will be the most effective promotional platform to share your own business solutions with the rest of the world.

Can you afford to miss out on the action?

Facts & Figures of CeBIT 2010 Fair

• 131318 visitors from 67 countries
• 63849 professional visitors
• 5146 professional visitors come from abroad
• 550 VIP delegates from Anatolia
• 1506 delegates including mid-level professionals
• 1066 exhibitors from 16 countries
• 72 forums, panels and conferences
• 1241 journalists
• Promotion in 58 target countries by Undersecretariat
of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade

Source: http://www.cebitbilisim.com/index.html

DigiPen Institute of Technology Opens its First Campus in Europe

2011-10-05T16:13:00.004+02:00

The Bilbao Chamber of Commerce and DigiPen Institute of Technology (USA) is opening a branch campus in Bilbao dedicated to growing innovation in the video game and animation industries.

The campus will provide an innovative and rigurous educational experience in the following degree programmes: Bachelor of Science in Real Time Interactive Simulation and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Animation. Its purpose is to promote and develop the advancing video game and digital media sectors in Spain and throughout Europe.

It is hoped that the launch of DigiPen in Europe will foster connections and relationships with industry-leading multinationals, which in turn, will encourage innovation, enterprise, as well as research and development, in Bilbao, the Basque Country, and surrounding areas. This growth in the video game, digital imaging and communication industries, will be propelled by a well-educated and qualified workforce, and will help develop Bilbao into a European leader of the digital simulation industry.

DigiPen Institute of Technology was the first school in the world to offer a Bachelor’s degree in game education, and it is committed providing an exemplary education and furthering research in digital media and interactive computer technologies. Through the work of its students, faculty and staff, DigiPen strives to empower and inspire the industry around the globe. Currently, DigiPen has a campus in Redmond, WA, USA and another in Singapore.

More information

STARTup Live Athens #1 - November 4 – 6, 2011

2011-09-21T08:10:00.002+02:00

In short, people from different backgrounds come together to present ideas, listen to new thoughts, work their asses off and get to know each other. This is steroids for your idea. Pitch, form your team, work, get feedback from startups, experts and mentors, present what you have achieved in front of about 150 people including experts from all over Europe. The process is accompanied by coaches, business angels, start-up entrepreneurs and all other participants. You get to know all these people in an informal way, usually standing there with a beer in hand hooking up with your future investors or mentors.

Click here for more details

Qualification mismatch across OECD countries: over-qualified or under-skilled?

2011-09-16T15:29:00.003+02:00

Some of the main conclusions of a working paper published in the OECD Employment Outlook 2011 "Right for the Job: over-qualified or under-skilled?" show that:

-Only about 40% of over-qualified workers report feeling mismatched based on their skills and the relationship between under-qualification and under-skilling is even weaker.

-Qualification mismatch and skill mismatch affect wages, job satisfaction and incentives to engage in on-the-job search (i.e. looking for a job while working).

-Policy intervention may be warranted to address a number of issues such as: the mis-investment in education implicit in large numbers of youth leaving school without the skills that employers require; the costs incurred by firms to sort candidates into jobs when qualifications provide bad signals for skills; and the difficulties faced by some specific groups such as job losers and immigrants.

- Policy interventions designed to reduce mismatches require the co-operation of the many different actors involved in generating jobs, imparting and acquiring skills and bringing jobs and workers together: employers, educators, individual workers, central and local governments, public employment services and the social partners.

The paper has been prepared in the context of the New Skills for New Jobs project funded by the European Commission.

Download the paper

Community manager´s role and evaluation

2011-09-16T15:24:00.002+02:00

Jobzine, a French blog about jobs in the web 2.0 era has published 2 interesting articles about the online community manager.
The first article gives advice to measure the impact of the community manager and how the success of a community management project can be improved. (More)
The second article analyses the different roles a community manager has in a company. (More)

Number of people unemployed for over a year continues to rise

2011-09-16T15:03:00.003+02:00

According to the OECD’s latest Employment Outlook the proportion of jobseekers who have been out of work for over a year increased from 24.2% to 32.4% between 2009 and 2010.
In Europe, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom are among the worst hit, with the proportion of long-term unemployed rising between 2009 and 2010 from 30.2 to 45.1% in Spain, 29 to 49% in Ireland and 24.5% to 32.6% in the United Kingdom. In the major OECD economies, long-term unemployment has fallen only in Germany.

The document also points out that helping young people must be a priority. In the first quarter of 2011, the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 was 17.4 per cent in the OECD area, compared with 7 per cent for adults aged 25 and over. Targeting youth will reduce the risk of young people falling into long-term unemployment and losing touch with the job market.

More information

CEPIS report identifies "e-Competences of European IT Professionals”

2011-09-13T12:12:00.005+02:00

A new report published by The Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) examines the e-competences of 2000 IT professionals from 28 countries across Europe. The purpose of this research is to produce and assess an up-to-date picture of the actual digital competences of IT professionals across Europe today, using profiles recognised by the labour market and analysing them based on the European e-Competence Framework (e-CF).

Some of the key findings of the report show that only 21% of professionals had the e-competences to match their declared profile. While IT Manager is the most declared job profile, only 8% of those who exercise the function appear to have all e-competences required for the function.

Based on its research CEPIS puts forward the following conclusions and key recommendations:

1. The young talent that Europe needs is lacking – promoting the IT profession among young people is essential.

2. Continuous Professional Development needs to play a greater role and should be targeted to existing and anticipated e-competence gaps.

3. Career paths with defined training and education requirements are needed.

4. All countries urgently need to address the gender imbalance

5. The e-CF should be applied as a pan-European reference tool to categorise competences and identify competence gaps.

Download “Professional e-Competence in Europe; Identifying the e-Competences of European IT Professionals”

Increasing the demand of Internet-related professionals in Spain

2011-09-02T11:14:00.002+02:00

Since March 2010, the demand of Internet-related professionals is continuously increasing in Spain while demand in the rest of the market is going down.

Most of the Spanish job demand is concentrated in one of the following 5 categories: Informatics and ICT, Communication and marketing, design and graphics arts, commercial and sales, and customer services (for example, through social networks such as Facebook or twitter)

Thanks to this tendency new jobs are being created such as:

Community manager - Chief social media officer - Professional Blogger - Digital Marketing Manager- SEO Manager - Web 2.0 programmer - Web usability specialist - Web Auditor - Web Analyst - 3D developer - Mobile technologies developer - Coolhunter- Virtual tutor.

Read more(In Spanish)
You may participate in the definition of new e-jobs profiles and provide comments through the e-Jobs Observatory: e-Jobs descriptions

Three new e-Jobs Observatory platform supporters

2011-08-29T11:02:00.005+02:00

bit media from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, TR Associates from Malta and Métiers du Web - L´observatorire des emplois et compétences from Belgium and France joined recently the e-Jobs Observatory partner network.

The three new partners appear now in the "about" section of the site together with other supporters and they will acquire editorial rights which will allow them to share information on the platform and participate in the restricted collaborative working group of e-Jobs supporters.

If you are interested in joining the network please fill in the form or contact us.

4% of UK’s workforce is in the IT sector, but training investments are declining.

2011-08-25T09:39:00.002+02:00

While UK has an all-time high with 4% IT professionals of the total British workforce, only 23% of them received a professional education or training in the past 13 weeks. In small companies only 15% having received a training. However, professional training as benefits for companies and employees as well.

Social networks and e-reputation: the way to employment!

2011-08-22T12:36:00.006+02:00

Recruitments are changing, as well for SME or for large companies. A CV and a motivation letter are not the only informations sources a recruiter looks when seraching for someone to engage.

Google is also the support for recruitments in SME, as when publishing an add, hundreds of CV are received. that means that now recruiters often do not want to publish anything and look through Google persons who could fill their needs. By the way, they also check everything wich can be found on the net : social networks and any published document to verify if the transversal competences are fulfilled. This search is also done by large companies inside the recruitment process, and if the image which is given by the e-reputation, or social networks activities (highly ranked by Google) does not fit with resume or needs, they remove the application.

Social networks and e-reputation have to be checked and valorised in all searches for a job !

QR Code to boost communication and business

2011-08-19T14:43:00.004+02:00

In June 2011 14 Millions of US mobile phones have scanned at least 1 QR Code according to a study published by comScore company. Users scan mainly newspapers, magazines or leaflets, they scan at home or in store to find more informations on a product or service they are interrested in.

This is a new demonstration on how mobile marketing can be included in a communication strategy. “For marketers, understanding which consumer segments scan QR codes, the source and location of these scans, and the resulting information delivered, is crucial in developing and deploying campaigns that successfully utilize QR codes to further brand engagement.” declares Mark Donovan comScore vice-president.
60% of people who scan are male people and 40% female. 36% of people who scan are between 25 and 34 years old.

A CV with a QR Code ? Why not !

2011-08-10T14:58:00.003+02:00

Interresting idea from Victor Petit who is looking for an Internship: he has created a paper CV with a QR code which, if activated from a suitably equipped smart phone, opens a video presenting himself!

When we at e-jobs-observatory.eu report that creativity and imagination are the most important competences asked by recruiters, Victor Petit appears as standing a fair chance on the job market!

The e-jobs professional profiles can be downloaded here !

Adaptation to wishes of recruiting company: Laurent Brouat's experience...

2011-08-04T09:52:00.007+02:00

Link Humans in London is a social media consultant company. The Manager Laurent Brouat has created a document published on Youtube to recruit for an internship. He did not want to do a classical recruitment. He wanted to recruit through social network profiles such Linkedin, Viadeo or DoYouBuzz, rather than CV and motivation letter.

The first applications arrived the day after he posted his clip! He received 10 applications, by email, which all included a traditional CV. He answered asking for links to social media, then stopped because unsuccessful...

He still receives emails, all without links to social media, just including CVs!

He declares (here, in French) that, in general, recruiters have difficulties to integrate new ways of recruiting, but in fact he thinks that it is candidates who have difficulties to integrate new approaches with new tools.

Laurent Brouat explains different hypotheses :

Applicants are conditionned by traditioal ways of searching a job, mainly with CV.
The online profiles on social media are not up-to-date, including all competences and references, so they prefer to send CV.
They fear what they do not know how to use new tools as they never applied without CV.
Students have few online profiles, unlike managers...

For him this experience is a failure...Is it possible to extend his small scale experience to a larger scale ? Comments are, of course, welcome (just drop a comment below)

Role of University ?

2011-08-03T17:57:00.004+02:00

I had a large discussion today with stakeholders : which is the role of universities? Teaching knowledge or preparing students to enter in the society and to find a job and to keep it?

This is a huge issue, as it totally changes the training profiles and incidentally the training contents.

We would welcome your comments or ideas on this subject ! Just use the opportunity below, to drop comments !

The first e-Jobs Observatory newsletter out!

2011-07-28T10:05:00.003+02:00

The first e-Jobs Observatory newsletter has been launched today and will be sent on a monthly basis to all interested people. The newsletter informs about all activities related to research, training, qualifications, standards, certifications and employment in the field of e-Jobs in Europe.

The e-Jobs Observatory aims at fostering better interaction between key stakeholders, improving the employability of job seekers, reducing the e-skills shortages on the EU labour market, improving the quality of Vocational Education & Training (VET) in the field of e-Jobs and making VET more transparent and comparable at European level.

Do you want to receive the e-Jobs Observatory newsletter? contact us

Four new e-Jobs Observatory platform supporters

2011-07-28T09:50:00.004+02:00

ANEI, the Spanish asociation for Internet companies, For Business Consulting from Italy, Grup patronal România Moldova from Romania and the French association for multimedia jobs (AME) joined recently the e-Jobs Observatory partner network.

The four new partners appear now in the "about" section of the site together with other supporters and they will acquire editorial rights which will allow them to share information on the platform and participate in the restricted collaborative working group of e-Jobs supporters.

If you are interested in joining the network please fill in the form or contact us.

What is the US doing to prepare its citizens in the field of Internet skills?

2011-07-22T14:10:00.003+02:00

A new Commerce Department website to give schools, libraries and job training centers the tools to help teach computer and Internet skills to US Americans who are new to the net.

The site is called digitalliteracy.gov and it offers links to everything from basic web surfing tips and online banking tutorials to resume-building services and resources on combatting cyberbullying.

The site itself is user-friendly. The tabs on the homepage break down the online tools into sections. Learn the basics, learn job skills and browse their available resources.

The launch of digitalliteracy.gov is part of an Obama administration push to ensure that all US Americans have access to high-speed internet connections and the skills needed to use them to compete in today's digital economy.

http://www.digitalliteracy.gov/

ANIS has 10 Years !

2011-07-21T15:13:00.004+02:00

ANIS (Association Nord Internet Solidaire) is an association settled in Lille (Nord France - Belgium border) . which was created 10 years ago in July 2001. This non profit association is very active about internet citizenship and has many actions such as ROUMICS where stakeholders share ideas and actions about social, professional integration, social development with support of ICT.

ANIS drive many actions in the Nord region and is a representative organisation of the numeric economy and stakeholders.

Website for ANIS is http://www.nord-internet-solidaire.org (in French)

Spelling mistakes 'cost millions' in lost online sales

2011-07-16T13:42:00.003+02:00

From Sean Coughlan

BBC News education correspondent

An online entrepreneur says that poor spelling is costing the UK millions of pounds in lost revenue for internet businesses.

Charles Duncombe says an analysis of website figures shows a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half.

Mr Duncombe says when recruiting staff he has been "shocked at the poor quality of written English".

Sales figures suggest misspellings put off consumers who could have concerns about a website's credibility, he says.

More information: BBC

French billionaires founding European School of Internet Professions

2011-07-15T10:16:00.006+02:00

French billionaires Xavier Niel, Marc Simoncini and Jacques-Antoine are founding the European School of Internet Professions in Paris.

The three first generation Internet billionaires had a hard time finding people with the right qualifications and skills.

Therefore this privately owned school wants to train 150-200 students through a three year program in web programming, web design and other disciplines of the sector.

Google+ guide: how good is it?

2011-07-13T16:15:00.003+02:00

It's the perfect anti-social network – so should you be hoping for an invite?

Peter Robinson published an analysis about the new Google + network in the Guardian

Here is a new and brilliant way to connect with people," your friend will say to you. They say this every 18 months, and each time your heart sinks. All you can see is a clock counting down to social network Armageddon: the precise point when you are somehow cyberfriends, yet again, with your mum, your boss, all your exes and that boy who thinks (wrongly) he went to school with you.

Read this on the Guardian

You can agree or not ! but your opinion is interesting to us ! just comment here !

How to write for the Web ? just KISS !

2011-07-13T12:06:00.002+02:00

Curated by Editoile (French communication agency )

A web redactor needs to keep some principles in mind to write correctly for the web : we can summarise as follows :

just KISS :

Keep It Short and Simple

This does not mean without style but just sweet and simple.

Just simplify formulation, to be understandable at first blick. This is not simple, it means to work hard to be clear like a water source ! Does each word has an added value ?

More informations about this concept on Scoop.it by Editoile !

New school for internet jobs in Morocco

2011-07-12T18:17:00.004+02:00

The École pour le Web Avancé / School for the Advanced Web has opened in Agadir, Morocco.

The objectives of the school are to be in accordance with market needs and they set up partnerships with companies and organisations.
Courses are 2 or 3 years long, for webdesign and web development.

EWA 265 Av Hassan II Agadir 80000

Lack of educational software and support staff to foster ICT in Education

2011-07-12T12:28:00.002+02:00

The new report “Key Data on Learning and Innovation through ICT at School” published by the European Commission examines the evolution of ICT infrastructure in schools in terms of networks, hardware and software.

The document looks at how ICT is being used in educational processes and incorporated into curricula before focusing on its role in enabling the development of innovative teaching methods. It also examines the promotion of transversal as well as job-related key competences, and the role of ICT in this process.

One of the key findings of the report shows that there is not a great disparity between schools in availability of ICT equipment but that there is still a lack of educational software and support staff. Teachers usually acquire ICT-related skills during their initial training, but further professional development is less common but needed.

Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture,Multilingualism and Youth indicates that “The solution to an effective use of ICT in education, however, is not technology itself. Most European countries have made significant investments over the last years with a view to ensuring universal access to ICT, with considerable success. The focus of today's policy in the field should now move to advancing our understanding of how the new technologies are and can best be used in schools to support learning, and what are the barriers in the way of success.”

Download the report

University of Pannoia and Cap Digital two new e-Jobs Observatory platform supporters

2011-07-11T11:15:00.003+02:00

University of Pannoia from Hungary and Cap Digital, a French Business cluster for digital content joined recently to the e-Jobs Observatory platform partner network.

The two new partners appear now in the "about" section of the site together with other supporters and they will acquire editorial rights which will allow to share information on the platform and participate in the restricted collaborative working group of e-Jobs supporters.

If you are interested in joining the platform network please fill in the form or contact us.

The development of highly-skilled people needs to be matched with the needs of business

2011-07-05T14:07:00.003+02:00

One of the key findings of the Innovation Union Competitiveness Report 2011 shows that the EU needs to strongly adapt the profiles of researchers to new priorities and market demands in the years to come. The document states that Member States should adapt their education systems to keep increasing numbers while ensuring a better match with business needs: "A central issue for the success of Innovation Union is for Member States to adapt their (tertiary) education systems in view of substantially increasing the number of available researchers and engineers while ensuring a better match of their skills with the needs of the business sector and improving the attractiveness of research careers for top talents from around the world."

The report provides an in-depth statistical and economic analysis about the strengths and weaknesses of national research and innovation systems, as well as solid facts on which to base national policy choices.

Download the full report
More information

14 new e-Job descriptions to improve training offers in EU

2011-06-24T10:17:00.009+02:00

The e-Jobs Observatory platform now includes a new section on e-Jobs Profiles to provide information about ongoing work on e-jobs descriptions. The sections contains descriptive information about each job profile as well as the option to comment it. You can find here below the names of the first 14 new e-Job descrptions:

Digital animator /2D-3D specialist
Digital Media Designer
e-Learning Designer
Internet e-Comerce specialist
Internet Hotline Operator
Online Community Manager
Usability specialist
Webmaster
Web and multimedia master
Web content manager
Web content / multimedia developer
Web designer
Web Marketer
Web Seller

The profiles have been generated by the following initiatives:

-The EQF-Code project. The EQF-Code project aims at transferring and applying the European Qualification Framework and e-Competence Framework to Multimedia professions in the field of Content Development.
-The EQF i-Serve project. The EQF i-Serve project aims at helping training organizations to develop trainings that correspond to the needs of the industry and are based on emerging knowledge, skills and competences description standards that guarantee comparability across Europe. The profiles are based on the e-Competence Framework of CEN.
-The Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) under the EUCIP programme. EUCIP creates confidence in a pan-European skills standard for ICT Professionals, helps to close the IT skills gap, and increases the labour market value of certified practitioners.
- CompTIA TechCareer Compass, a worldwide Information Technology (IT) repository for resources critical in attracting, training and developing properly skilled IT workers.

More information

BYDAS communication agency and Exsourcegroup two new e-Jobs Observatory platform supporters

2011-06-22T11:38:00.004+02:00

BYDAS communication agency from Portugal and Exsourcegroup from El Salvador joined recently to the e-Jobs Observatory platform partner network.

If you are interested in joining the platform network please fill in the form or contact us.

IT professionals should develop their project management skills

2011-06-16T17:01:00.007+02:00

Adding project management skills to their CVs could give a boost to the career of IT professionals. IBM encourages IT professionals to gain formal qualifications in project management in order to have a better overview of product development. IT professional with a project management background earn up to 10% more than their colleagues without this background.

Disable 2.0 caring services goes wrong....

2011-06-15T17:10:00.008+02:00

Louis van Proosdij Duport is a 43 years old french entrepreneur , he manages a startup in new technologies and support business creation and entrepreneurship. He created 4 years ago the Open Coffee Club where new webentrepreneurs, blue angels, lawyers and webconsultants meet. He participated as an actor to many workshops and roundtables about numeric economy with Francois Fillon french prime minister and other political deciders. Louis was also promoted by Microsoft with a presentation in the Microsoft magazine

After an accident 27 years ago, Louis is quadriplegic, with very few use of arms and fingers.

His handicap takes daily 2 hours of his time, to prepare for the the day, and to prepare for bed. He can drive daily an adapted car and has large autonomy for social and working life.

He his supported for caring services by a special service in Paris and new procedures have been set up few days ago changing totally his life, so now he his not anymore able to work as usual.

Have a look on his personal blog (in french language) this lead to a needed reflexion about integrating disable people in social and working life.

Louis van Proosdij Duport

President of Fair Play Interactive, personalized TV channels, from broadcast to unicast. Founder, President ZOOND, the Pandora of music TV channels

Social media architect one of the 6 hottest IT jobs

2011-06-15T10:16:00.005+02:00

InfoWorld magazine scoured listings on IT hiring sites and talked with IT executives about the skills they're looking for next year to define the 6 hot IT Jobs for the near future. The analysis shows 6 new job titles created to make IT more agile, more social and more tightly intertwined with business:

1: Business architect
2: Data scientist
3: Social media architect
4: Mobile technology expert
5: Enterprise mobile developer
6: Cloud architect

More Information and job descriptions

The "community manager" bubble in Spain

2011-06-10T11:04:00.003+02:00

The confusion over the role of the web community manager creates discrepancies in Internet communities all over the world. In Spain 60% of unemployed people would like to redirect their careers and the Community Manager is their favourite option.

Being a community manager has become fashionable but nobody knows why. Some charge 18,000 euros per year while others earn more than 45,000. Some design complex online communication strategies while others write text messages on Twitter. Some have 10 years of experienceand an MBA and others took only a shortcourse of a few hours. The profiles are very different but they one thing in common - their title: community manager!

Relating national qualifications levels to the appropriate levels of the European Qualification Framework (EQF)

2011-06-09T12:14:00.002+02:00

European countries participating in "Education and Training 2020" have been invited to relate their national qualifications levels to the appropriate levels of the EQF and to indicate in all new qualification certificates, diplomas and Europass documents the relevant EQF level.

The results can be found in the "Compare Qualifications Frameworks" page, where it is possible to compare how national qualifications levels of countries that have already finalised their referencing process are been linked to the EQF.

The EQF portal also provides information on:

- "EQF implementation"
- "Key Terms" that are agreed by all countries participating in the EQF
- "Documentation" such us legal text of the recommendation on the establishment of the EQF, other key policy documents and EQF notes.
- "Useful links"
- "EQF Newsletter"

More information

Do you want to become partner of the e-Jobs Observatory?

2011-06-09T11:57:00.002+02:00

The e-Jobs Observatory gives now the oportunity to join the e-Jobs, e-Skills and e-Competences platform community and become partner of the e-Jobs Observatory.

By supporting e-Jobs, the logo of your organization will appear in the "about" section of the site together with other supporters. The organization will also acquire editorial rights which will allow to share information on the platform and participate in the restricted collaborative working group of e-Jobs supporters.

If you are interested please fill in the form or contact us.

Serious game for initiation to computer use

2011-06-08T14:18:00.004+02:00

The French Delegation for the Use of the Internet and "Cité des Sciences" have launched a beta version of a serious game named "Planet 01, Globert Digital Odyssey" which aims at familiarising people with the use of computers and the internet.

The game is based on the Internet and Multimedia Passport, an initiative to train and to attest basic skills in computer and internet usage.

The game trains in the use of a mouse, creation of a table, writing a simple text, and various actions needed to use a computer.

This game can be used online or in different digital spaces openly accessible in public organisations.

Access Globert World

Recruiters seek IT Professionals as Agents show inadequate Grasp of Technology

2011-06-07T11:19:00.002+02:00

An IT recruitment agency aims to persuade IT professionals to swap hands-on work with technology for a career schmoozing with employers and potential recruits.

Recruitment firm Robert Walters claims there is a shortage of recruitment agents that have a real understanding of technology.

"If you are a candidate for a job, one of the real questions about recruitment agents is, do they really know what they are talking about from a technology perspective? There are a lot that do it really badly," said Jason Addicott, associate director at the recruitment agency.

The agency has begun what it describes as an intensive campaign to find IT professionals willing to make the move from the IT department into recruitment.

Recruitment will not suit all IT professionals. It needs people with strong communication and people skills, in addition to an understanding of technology, says Jason Addicott.

"Those at the top of their game can earn a six figure salary. For people who have reached a critical juncture in IT, it could a good opportunity," Addicott said.

Stories of recruitment companies who have little practical experience putting forward candidates forward for unsuitable positions are rife within the industry.

In one case, a recruitment agent pressurised a systems architect to apply for an Oracle development job. The candidate did not have the right skills but the agent believed he was suitable after finding the word Oracle in his CV using a computer search, said Addicott.

Addicott, who made the move from IT to recruitment after studying software engineering, said he is looking to hire IT professionals with the technical knowledge and enthusiasm to succeed in recruitment.

Source: Computer Weekly

Realizing the organizational and educational development potential of web 2.0

2011-06-06T12:02:00.006+02:00

SVEA, a new and innovative European project, wants to cultivate new work processes and communication strategies through the use of net-based technology.

The project addresses the collaboration and web 2.0 skills of teachers and trainers in both Vocational Education and Training (VET) and adult training institutions, with a special focus on personnel and organizational development. SVEA is composed by the following partner consortium: MFG Baden-Württemberg (Germany), CSP Innovazioni nelle ICT (Italy), EuroPACE ivzw ( Belgium), FUNDECYT (Spain), and Coleg sir Gâr (Wales).

The project will develop an online platform offering custom web 2.0 tools for trainers and teachers, combined with both an online and a face to face training program to help the target group master these web 2.0 applications. Guidelines and training material to guarantee successful implementation will also be designed.

More information

“Soft skills” essential for employers but missing among young people

2011-05-23T14:39:00.002+02:00

The results of the a survey entitled "Closing the Gap Between Business and Education” show that business leaders find young people to lack 'soft skills' such as confidence, teamwork, self-motivation, networking and presentation skills. 63 % of respondents said that their countries’ educational systems were not preparing young people with the right skills to enter the workforce and 70 % of respondents said their countries were doing a poor job developing financial and entrepreneurial skills among young people.

The survey was carried out by FreshMindsResearch for JA-YE Europe, which is Europe's largest provider of entrepreneurship education programmes bringing together businesses, schools and young people.

Download the report
More Information

Global IT Markets back on Track for strong Growth

2011-05-09T14:54:00.005+02:00

The world's IT markets are back on track for strong growth, reported the European Information Technology Observatory (EITO) at CeBIT, the high tech trade fair, in Hanover. Global sales of IT hardware, software, and IT services will rise by 4.4 percent in 2011 to 1.1 billion euros. "This year, IT spending will far exceed pre-crisis levels. The IT sector is once again acting as the driving force of the business cycle," said Prof. Dr. August-Wilhelm Scheer, President of the Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM) at EITO's press conference in Hanover.

Generally speaking it is emerging countries that are energizing markets led by the BRIC states of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The IT markets in these four countries are currently growing by an average of 11 percent. But even established, industrialized nations are seeing spending on IT rise again now the crisis is over. In the EU, there is almost 3 percent growth, and in the US more than 4 percent. Japan is the only exception, with just 0.6 percent.

When it comes to the five largest EU countries, Germany leads in terms of growth. In 2011 and 2012, the second-largest European IT market after Great Britain will expand by around 4 percent, with France not far behind. Following at a slightly slower pace are the southern Europeans Spain and Italy, along with Great Britain. Growth in the Italian and Spanish markets in 2011 is less than 2 percent, and is only slightly higher in Britain. These markets will only begin to catch up to France and Germany in 2012 once they achieve growth of around 3 percent. In these three countries, cutbacks are also putting pressure on IT budgets in the public sector – with ensuing repercussions on the IT market.

European Information Technology Observatory

Internet Entrepreneurs Are Like Professional Athletes, They Peak Around 25

2011-05-05T17:02:00.001+02:00

“Consumer Internet entrepreneurs are like pro basketball players,” a venture capitalist told me recently while discussing the prospects for a thirty-something founder, “They peak at 25, by 30 they’re usually done.”

Why? Because young entrepreneurs are more creative and imaginative, and are willing put 100% of their lives into their startups, he said. “It’s not a guess, this is a data driven observation,” says the VC.

He had a number of caveats. First, this only applies to consumer Internet entrepreneurs. Enterprise and hardware startups tend to do better with older founders, where experience (and direct sales experience) matter a lot. And there are plenty of founders that, like Michael Jordan, can peak way beyond 25 (and the peak basketball age is really probably at least a 27). “Those tend to be the repeat success founders,” he said, “the rules don’t apply to them.”

Peak age of startup founders is an endless debate. Vivek Wadhwa says his data shows that older entrepreneurs are more successful, for example. He argues that ageism is more about exploiting young people more than getting value for money.

Other data suggests the opposite. Like this – last year Y Combinator said the average age of their founders is 26. Of course they could have selection bias, but Y Combinator is one of the most data driven investors I’ve heard of. if older people did better, they’d be funding more of them.

At Disrupt in New York in May we’ve got a very cool interview planned. SV Angel says they’ve analyzed deep demographic data for their 500+ investments over the last twelve years or so. It takes years to know how successful a startup will eventually be, so this is particularly valuable data.

Will they agree that Internet startup founders should be looking to make a name for themselves before they hit 30, or give up? We’ll know in a few short weeks.

Source: Techcrunch

Europe takes huge step towards free movement of labour

2011-05-05T16:55:00.003+02:00

From 1 May 2011, the entire European labour market will open to Member States who joined the Union in 2004, including the citizens of Hungary, who currently holds the EU Presidency. The fear of many workers migrating from new Member States to the West, have so far proven unjustified; since the opening of the labour market in old Member States has contributed to the economic growth. Free movement of labour is one of the fundamental principles of the EU’s single market, enabling EU citizens to take up employment freely in any other member state. Since certain older Member States of the Union had been wary that workers from countries who joined in 2004 could “flood” their labour markets, so, Member States were given the rights to restrict employment for up to seven years, at their own discretion. This rule was incorporated into the accession document.

Gradual relaxation

Several countries have taken advantage of this option, regarding citizens of eight countries that joined the Union in May 2004, namely the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. Sweden and Ireland, have opened up their labour markets from the very start; and Great Britain only required the simple registration of employees. In 2006 Finland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, in 2007 Luxembourg and the Netherlands, in 2008 France, and in 2009 Belgium and Denmark lifted the restrictions.

Only two Member States – Austria and Germany – maintained the restriction for the longest permissible term, until 30 April 2011, claiming that the authorisation of free employment would cause major labour market disorders. Also, despite the general restrictions, both Austria and Germany were allowed to, under bilateral agreements, the employment of a certain number of citizens coming from the newly accessed countries. Owing to such agreements, approximately 28,000 Hungarian citizens worked in Austria and about 13,000 in Germany from the beginning of 2011. Also, states were already allowed provide free employment in certain sectors, which was effected by a chronic shortage of labour force.

Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland

The single market also comprises of three countries who are not members of the Union, but hold membership in the European Economic Area (EEA). Of these countries, Iceland lifted the restrictions in 2006 and Norway in 2009, while Liechtenstein will be opening its labour market together with Austria and Germany. Switzerland, which is a member neither of the EU nor of the EEA, will terminate it presently used quota system at the end of April; however, it will be entitled to restore the restrictions until 31 May 2014, in justified cases.

None of these countries imposed any restrictions on Cyprus or Malta, who also joined the EU in 2004; nor did the eight other new Member States have restricted employment to citizens coming from the rest of the Member States.

Fears remained unjustified

Some of the older Member States could sense the concerns from the other Member States within the Union, regarding migrants from Eastern Member States, could potentially flood the labour market, bringing down wages and triggering unemployment. This was however proven unfounded. Migration to the West, from countries who joined the Union in 2004, fell way behind the expectations, as the number of migrants actually increased from 900,000 to approximately 1.9 million, between 2003 and 2009. The lowest count of migrants was given by Hungary and the Czech Republic; while most of them had moved from Poland and Lithuania.

The migrants are typically young people working in positions, which requires low to medium level qualification – although in many cases their actual qualifications are higher. According to experiences so far, labour force migration has proven to be temporary in most cases. For example, half of the employees from new Member States, who came after 2004, to Great Britain and Ireland, have already returned home, partly owing to the economic recession.

GDP has increased

According to calculations, the flow of labour force following the enlargement of 2004, has increased the EU’s GDP by 0.11% in the short term, between 2004 and 2007; and this growth is expected to a further rise of 0.2% in the long run. By fulfilling the labour force demands of the host states, workers from new Member States, have significantly contributed to the sustainable economic development. The labour force movement following the enlargement, has not resulted in significant labour market distortions, and its impact on the welfare services and finances of the host countries has been minimal.

In certain Member States, like Poland, the Baltic states and Romania, remittances of foreign workers have significantly contributed to the domestic production of the home countries. In these countries, the migration of the citizens of new Member States have mitigated unemployment, but have also caused a decrease in the number of labour forces in several sectors. It is a further problem, that typically, young people choose to seek employment abroad.

Bulgaria, Romania

In the case of citizens of Romania and Bulgaria, who joined the Union in January 2007, the other 25 Member States are still allowed to enforce restrictions. Similarly to the enlargement of 2004, a temporary term of up to seven years applies to these two countries; which is due to expire on 31 December 2013. Even so, several Member States have decided not to restrict the employment of citizens from Romania and Bulgaria. Accordingly, they can also freely enter the labour markets from the following countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and Slovenia

Source: Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

e-jobs : Community Manager

2011-05-05T15:40:00.003+02:00

The french TV channel demain.tv presents the Community Manager job :

6 minuts with interviews of professionals available on Youtube (in french)

http://youtu.be/cpixEFSh9d0

Improving training offers for Web Marketers, Web Sellers, Usability Specialists, Online Community Managers and Internet Hotline Operators across EU

2011-05-05T11:22:00.007+02:00

The e-Jobs Observatory platform now includes a section on e-Jobs Profiles to provide information about ongoing work on e-jobs descriptions. The first five profiles have been generated by the EQF i-Serve project, and are based on the e-Competences Framework of CEN.
The page is work in progress and more e-jobs profiles will be added in the near future. You are invited to comment on the profiles.

More

E-jobs 2.0, The true revolution !

2011-05-04T16:01:00.007+02:00

Internet jobs have spread from internet specialised companies to all organisations, even SMEs. It is now common that one or several staff members are working on internet jobs in companies across activities & sectors, especially in companies under 20 employees. This is a total revolution, albeit these jobs are often part-time jobs with many employers. Job offers are not published officially because too much applications are received by company managers, so recruitment is done through informal contacts and personal networks.

See an article published in the French language on Le Cercle Les Echos.

Community manager, e-business manager, SEO manager and Internet Governance manager on Michael Page´s new-jobs guide

2011-05-03T12:44:00.005+02:00

Among other new jobs, several Internet-related jobs are described on Michael Page´s New Jobs Guide 2010.

The guide provides:

* The definition and responsibility of each position,
* the skills and qualifications,
* training and experience possible
* remuneration of such trades,
* developments and trends,
* the types of employers,
* internationalization.

See:Le Guide Des Nouveaux Metiers par Michael Page

View more documents from GuiM _

First roundtable in Patras, Greece

2011-04-28T13:03:00.004+02:00

The first roundtable in Greece was held on 16th of March 2011 at the premises of Hellenic Open University. The roundtable was consisted of people not only from educational institutions, but also from local companies, representatives of the commercial associations, the technical chamber, the public sector, research institutes.Eighteen people were gathered to discuss the topics the agenda included.

The key topics held during our RT were the following:

1. Internet Industry

2. Current and prospective needs and job requirements related to e-jobs

3. Certification of qualifications/requirements/educational content

4. Applying e-jobs in strategically important fields of Hellenic Economy

Some of the results regarding the situation regarding current/prospective needs and job requirements related to e-jobs and improving the situation on the job market for e-jobs are, from the point of view of VET organisations the basic requirements related to the prospective needs of e-jobs are knowledge and ethics. In Greece, the necessity for better adaptation of the public sector on the new e-jobs should not be excluded. For ICT companies, it is important to distinct and certify the qualifications based on current and future e-jobs related to the Internet while it is needed as well to be recorded and classified by the vocational and enterprising organizations, consultative companies on web developing/ administration and web commerce. Apart from that, the internet related jobs may, through the appropriate specialisation, help effectively to deal with the unemployment (which is created because of major structural problems, faced mostly by the regional economies of the Eurozone), giving impetus to areas currently considered stagnant (or “dead”) in terms of development.

Referencing National Qualifications Levels to the EQF

2011-04-28T11:23:00.002+02:00

How can National qualification systems be adapted to a common European denominator? The third note of the European Qualification Framework Series informs on the recent discussions and decisions concerning the implementation of the European Qualification Framework (EQF)
http://www.na-bibb.de/uploads/allgemeiner_bereich/eqf_note_3_web.pdf

The Importance of Developing e-Competences & ICT Professionalism

2011-04-27T12:34:00.003+02:00

ICT experts from 22 European countries gathered in Malta to provide their valuable expertise on developing ICT professionalism & building e-competences in Europe.

Representatives from almost two dozen informatics associations, members of the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), met to underline the importance of professionalism in IT and other key CEPIS strategic activities that help promote the development of the information society in Europe.

To get a real view of the actual competences held by ICT professionals in Europe today, CEPIS is conducting a pan-European Professional e-Competence project , which analyses the digital competences of ICT professionals and how they comply with labour market requirements. The research is conducted via a web questionnaire based on the European e-Competence Framework (e-CF), developed by the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) Workshop on ICT Skills and supported by the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.

More information

Roundtable on "Writing for the Web"

2011-04-26T09:51:00.003+02:00

Writing for the Web is different than writing for any other support ! This Easter weekend, during Bordeaux Barcamp, a roundtable revealed some interesting findings, e.g.:

The web redactor has to start cooperating with the rest of the web team from the very beginning of the project to ensure coherency.
Search engine optimisation (SEO) has to be implemented since the design phase.
Using short sentences, making many pages, if several subjects, is better than one large page.

Many other findings are published in French on : http://www.barcamp-bordeaux.com/wiki/wiki/redaction-web-pourquoi-bien-rediger-pour-le-web

The openED course: Business and Management Competencies in a Web 2.0 world

2011-04-18T10:06:00.003+02:00

openED 2.0 is a FREE/OPEN online course for business students and practitioners alike. The course consists of 10 modules. You can either take all of the 10 modules, or just those ones that you are interested in.
The course consists of 10 modules allowing participants to choose the individual modules they are interested in. This is to say that you can either take all of the 10 modules, or just those ones that you are interested at. Some of the modules are more academic (5A1 & 5A2), others are more targeted at professionals (5P1, 5P2 & 5P3), and the remaining modules should be of interest for both, students and practitioners.