The objective of the project is to analyze future possible developments of the European labour market(s) under the main assumption that European societies are now facing or preparing to face four main transitions that will have a major impact on employment, in particular for some groups in the labour force or sectors of the economy. What are these transitions?

The first one is the socio-ecological transition, a comprehensive change in the patterns of social organization and culture, production and consupmtion that will drive humanity beyond the current industrial model towards a sustainable future.
The second is the societal transition produced by the combination of population ageing, low fertility rates, changing family structures, urbanization and growing female employment.
The third transition concerns new territorial dynamics and the balance between agglomeration and dispersion forces.
The fourth is a skills (upgrading) transition and its likely consequences for employment and (in)equality.

Methodology

The project combines EU-wide studies based on existing datasets with national comparative research dealing with one country from each welfare typology. The output is based on a mix of quantitative and qualitative analysis and foresight activities. Special attention is given to policy-making; three work packages are specifically dedicated to welfare state developments and labour relations, and a transversal task force will focus on the EU policy dimension. The quality of the project's output is ensured via a peer review mechanism.

The CPS participates in three workpackages:

WP 13: Care and social inclusion services

The aim of the analysis is to investigate the impact of recent demographic and socio-economic trends on employment in the childcare and social inclusion services sector. The analysis provides an EU-overview of the current structure and size of this sector and the situation and current trends of employment therein. It will reveal how main reforms of this sector, including the recent implementation of various market-based measures, affected the size and structure as well as employment in this sector. A survey of attitudes on the caring for children and elderly will explore specific target groups' needs and requests.

WP 16: Employment of women

This workpackage aims at studying labour market position of women, changes that took place in this field over the last 20 years, focusing on their main drivers, problems that remain as well as likely developments in the future. It also plans to make recommendations on policies to maintain the levels of female participation on the labour market where they meet the EU targets and close the gap for the remaining groups, taking into account current and future challenges and their heterogeneity across countries.

WP 19: Policy puzzles with Roma employment

The aim of this workpackage is to investigate what policies, market mechanisms and social factors, in addition to widespread discrimination, have lead to immensely diverging employment conditions and statistics of Roma and non-Roma, and have tracked Roma into subsidised employment on the secondary labour market or unreported or illegal economy in the new member states of the EU. It will compare policies and policy outcomes in four new member-states (Bg, Hu, Ro, Sk) and in an old member-state (Spain) that has a significant Roma population.