Air France-KLM’s director of Human Resources to speak at Employment Week

Employment Week 2006, taking place in Brussels on 16-18 May 2006, is pleased to announce a high profile member of the Air France-KLM management team as one of the keynote speakers. The event, in its 13th year, is an integral part of the EU employment calendar and provides practitioners and European decision-makers with a platform to connect and discuss the latest policies and trends in employment. The conference and exhibition is expecting over 1,200 participants.

Jean-Franois Colin, Director of Human Resources, Air France-KLM will deliver a keynote presentation to delegates about the human resources challenges facing corporations during large international mergers. In 2004, the national French airline merged with its Dutch counterpart to form the Air France-KLM Group, bringing together a workforce of 71,600 from different countries and cultures.

Colin will share his experience of merging two very large corporations and the policies undertaken to ensure the re-skilling of employees and good staff retention. He will focus on how the company helped employees to overcome language and cultural barriers through training programmes and a practical approach.

The Employment Week conference will create debate, generate ideas, present case studies and deliver creative solutions to the employment challenges. Panel sessions will include speakers representing global perspectives and sometimes-conflicting views or interests.

This yearís main conference theme will be ëWorking Together for Growth and Jobsí, asking such questions as:

Is the new, enlarged, EU creating the kind of jobs that will ensure growth and prosperity in the expanding global economy?
How well are companies and workers adapting to change? Is Europe moving towards a better work-life balance? Are we developing the right workforce skills to ensure continued competitiveness?
How successful are we in building partnerships, promoting mobility, addressing demographic and social challenges, and creating the jobs of the future?

The conference programme is designed to ensure that all delegates are up to date with current developments in European employment strategy - and learn about all the latest trends. In addition, Employment Week 2006 will feature extensive presentations regarding the latest developments in EU employment, regional and social policies, along with the latest information on EU funding.

For the 2006 event, a new advisory committee helped to shape the conference programme. Members of the committee include: Economic & Social Committee; Committee of the Regions; ETUC; CEEP; Platform of Social NGOs; Eurocities; REVES - European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy; WAPES - World Association of Public Employment Services; Eurochambres; European House, Hungary; and The Nordic Labour Journal.

An exhibition will be running alongside the conference, creating a perfect opportunity for delegates to network. Over 60 exhibitors are expected to take part including: Ministries of Labour; training and education organisations; public employment offices; NGOs; and EU project partners ñ all keen to share their knowledge and experience with others involved in job creation and regeneration within the EU.

Stephanie Pothier, Employment Week 2006 Event Manager, said, ìWeíre delighted to have Mr Colin from Air France-KLM on board and look forward to hearing his insights into the implications of mergers on the management of people. We have an exiting conference programme ahead and look forward to welcoming delegates and exhibitors in May to stimulating discussions and debate about the latest employment issues affecting businesses and governments across the EU.î

Employment Week 2006 will bring together European and global performers from regional bodies, businesses, employment services, research agencies, NGOs and social partners to debate current issues in new and interactive formats.