Adaptability is the third pillar. It is about a new working life policy. It is about changes in technology, work organisation, knowledge and skills. It is mainly directed at the social partners, seeking a new partnership to modernise the organisation of work and to invest in human resources. Thus, life long learning is the link between the double objective of adaptability, that is flexibility for enterprises and security for workers.
Equal opportunities is the fourth pillar.
This is a new policy for the reconciliation of working life and family life, and for the mainstreaming of equal opportunities in all public policies. There is a big gender gap in the labour markets of Member States, about 25 million jobs. Therefore, training and life long learning is basic for more jobs and for a fair distribution of job and opportunities between men and women. It was a successful first year, with a lot of hard work by Member States to draw up their first National Action Plans, or NAPs. It introduced a new way of working into the European Union.