On 11 May, the Council of the EU adopted a new benchmark to identify the education and training policies that increase graduates’ employability (ie the combination of factors that allow a person to move forward in looking for a job, finding one, keeping it and progressing in his career). The benchmark is as follows: the employment rate of graduates (aged between 20 and 34) having left the education and training system at least three years before the reference year should be at least 82% (compared to 76.5% in 2010).

“This is a reference level of European average performance, which is not to be considered as a concrete target for each country to reach but rather as a collective target which member states are invited to contribute to achieving” by 2020, the ministers’ conclusions read.

The conclusions also state that this level should take into account the various starting points of the member states and the various options they have to improve their results through education and training policies. “Member states are invited to consider, on the basis of national priorities and whilst taking account of changing economic circumstances, how and to what extent they can contribute to the collective achievement of the European benchmark in the area outlined below through national actions.”

This new benchmark is the seventh to be added to the list of benchmarks in education and training, ie: young people leaving school prematurely; participation in pre-school education; finishing secondary school; adult participation in lifelong education and training; insufficient mastery of basic skills; and training mobility.