Reviews trends from 1980 to 1996.

Based on data from 109 agreements, mainly in the engineering industry, discusses the trend to arrange flexible working schedules at plant level and the potential impact of these agreements on employment security and job creation.

Looks at practices that boost worker employability and capacity to deal with technological advances. Refers to the Lisbon Agenda with a view of priority action areas, the standardization of qualifications in the European Union, the European Credit Transfer System for higher education, and issues...