The document shares insights from the first pan-European survey on skill mismatch, Cedefop’s study of around 49 000 adult employees (aged 24-65) in all 28 European Union Member States that examines how people’s qualifications and skills are matched (or not) to the changing skill demands of their jobs and the extent to which employees’ skills are developed and used in their workplace.

The survey finds that almost half (47%) of EU adult workers have seen the technologies they use change since they started their job; 21% also consider it very likely that several of their skills will become outdated in the next five years. It also observes that the unemployed tend to return to the labour market more frequently in temporary roles that require fewer skills and offer fewer learning opportunities. According to the survey, several sectors are more likely to underuse skills, such as retail and sales, accommodation, catering and food services, transportation and storage, cultural industries and social and personal services. The report recommends that to overcome skill mismatches, more and better jobs that invest in people’s skills are needed.