Too many European citizens are facing difficulties in the labour market. While helping workers to improve their skills and prepare for new, decent employment opportunities, this key tool will continue to be used to mitigate the effects of the current economic crisis. We would also like to see the globalisation fund help workers to prepare for closures in industries in difficulty. At the heart of this policy should be the need to avoid the kind of social crises faced by those who currently work in the steel and automotive industries.