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A Foreword

Since the beginning of the reform of the sugar regime in 2006 and within the context of the globalisation of the economy, companies and employees in the sugar industry have been confronted – in four years – with the closure of about a half of the factories in the sector, leading so far to the loss of 16,500 direct jobs. In a spirit of anticipation and adaptation to change, following the creation in 2006 with the support of the Commission of a practical guide to using the structural funds, they decided in 2008 to implement a project aimed at improving employability in their sector.

Observing that it was no longer possible to guarantee an employee a long-term job in the same company, and within the spirit of the CSR Code of Conduct signed in 2003, the social partners have endeavoured to open up avenues of reflection on the basis of an in-depth and systematic analysis of different factors connected with employability: examples of good internal and external practices, success factors, skills currently required and skills to be developed, common to different trades, and financing possibilities.

This working tool, presented in a concrete and pragmatic manner in the form of interactive computerised pages, will be accessible to all the players concerned on the joint site of the European social partners in the sugar industry “eurosugar.org” as from March 2010. Conceived as an instrument of shared dynamic reflection, it is intended to serve as a source of inspiration to favour adaptation to a constantly changing industrial environment and will be regularly updated.

Further to the 2008 Communication entitled "New Skills for New Jobs" and the awareness-raising efforts made to promote anticipation, the Commission warmly welcomes the initiative of the sugar industry's social partners and their proactive response to the challenge of constantly adapting to change.

Jean-François LEBRUN
Head of Unit “Working conditions & adaptation to changes”
General Directorate Employment, Social Affairs and equal opportunities
EUROPEAN COMMISSION