In Focus
An open EU labour market needs common occupational classifications
Sweden has been leading an ambitious EU project to translate more than 5,000 job titles and related terms into 22 languages. The project also describes the qualifications needed to get these jobs. This common 'encyclopedia' for working life aims to improve cross-border labour market mobility.
Job description: do as little as possible
They suddenly appeared in all European capitals and tourist cities: the living statues. Where did they come from? What are they thinking while they stand there, lifeless? What do they do in winter? We came with many questions and quite a few prejudices when we approached one of the most peculiar occupations there is.
A day in the life of the office nomad
Janne Saarikko (40) has changed jobs again - or rather his place of work. He's now at Arc Technology, an IT business in Helsinki. He moved here with two blue IKEA boxes; one containing a computer and some papers, the other with his espresso machine, cups and saucers plus coffee beans.
The future's bright for DNA mappers
Daniel Zakrisson was always interested in genetics. Not surprising, perhaps - he's an identical twin. He and his brother have taken part in twin studies since they were children. Now he runs a company offering to map your DNA.
It took 121 years to agree what psychologists really do
When Sigmund Freud treated his first patient in 1889 little did he know that 121 years later there would be 77,250 psychiatrists and 250,000 psychologists in Europe. That is also how long it has taken to agree on a common European standard of qualifications.
The life and death of a profession
How does a new occupation emerge? It's a simple question which is hard to answer. Why can't existing occupations cover the needs created by new technology and changes in consumer habits?
Focus on ill health means less absence
If you at an early stage enter a dialogue with workers who are ill, you reduce the level of sick leave. That's the experience in the Høje-Taastrup municipality west of Copenhagen.
Sick leave in Finland: municipalities on the right track
Many Finish municipalities have managed to turn the trend of ever increasing levels of sick leave. As the country's largest municipal employer, the City of Helsinki is developing ways of helping people on long-term sick leave to get back to work.
The constant hunt for ways to limit sick leave
Levels of sick leave vary a lot between the different Nordic countries, yet it seems it gets harder and harder to qualify for sickness benefit - whether the level of sick leave rises or falls. There is no agreement among researchers on what really lies behind these variations, nor on what policies actually work.
Towards a common EU integration policy
Integration policy is a national responsibility within the EU, but the Swedish presidency has made an effort to make it easier to compare just how well member states integrate new arrivals.
Immigration amplifies differences between Nordic countries
One of the things separating the Nordic countries from each other is what immigrant groups they have attracted, and how long they have stayed. Compared to many other European countries though, they have something in common: the refugee percentage is high.
Helping new arrivals realise their dreams
"I have been thinking lately that I have experience many others lack, which allows me some degree of authority to speak on what works and what doesn't when it comes to integration policy," says Nyamko Sabuni, Sweden's Minister for Integration and Gender Equality.
Immigration policy change: from humanism to pragmatism
The term refugee could be disappearing. People are deemed immigrants and allowed in if a country feels they could be useful. Current demography dictates a stimulation of labour immigration, while asylum policies are being tightened. Europe's migration policy is changing shape.
Holding on to the foreign workers
More and more Danish companies are increasing their drive to recruit foreign workers. Wind turbine producer Vestas has experienced the importance of creating a social network for foreign workers, and how important it is to help their spouses to find work too.
Labour ministers up the fight to prevent a lost generation
How do you fight youth unemployment? That was the theme when Nordic labour ministers met in Reykjavik in November. One in five European youths is unemployed. There is fear of a lost generation. The Nordic countries focus on education and help on an individual level to help young people into working life.
Not only green, but good
The Nordic countries and their companies will try to present themselves as environmentally friendly as possible during the Copenhagen Climate Summit. But what does it mean to be green? As huge investments are made in renewable energy, it’s important that other values are not sacrificed.
Copenhagen turning green
Copenhagen is aiming to turn into a green capital for business ahead of the UN climate change conference it will host in December.
Finland hopes for green jobs too
Finland has long made a living from its "green gold" - the forests - even though its pulp mills and paper production plants hardly can be called environmentally friendly.
Tomra – safe and green
The global production of bottles, cans and other drink containers tops 800 billion. Half of them end up on landfills. Recycling all this would save large amounts of energy, and cut CO2 emissions.
Norwegian Point Carbon has its finger on the pulse of emission trading
A smiling Barack Obama adorns Per Otto Wold's office coffee mug. Mr Wold is CEO at Point Carbon, a Norwegian provider of news, analysis and consulting services for the global power, gas and carbon markets. President Obama doesn't sit on his desktop by chance. The American President is on everybody's mind here.
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