In order to boost levels of employment and support good quality jobs within the European Union (EU) "more and better skills" are needed.

This is the view of European commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion Laszlo Andor, who has suggested changes need to be made to labor markets in the wake of the financial markets crisis.

Speaking at a meeting of G20 employment ministers in Washington on April 21st, he stated "new jobs and skills were emerging prior to the crisis" and pointed to the growing importance of green markets and new technologies.

"The EU is committed to upgrading the skills of all its citizens regardless of age, background, level of qualification by empowering everybody to learn," he declared, adding more should be done to raise educational attainment and support lifelong learning as demand for high-level qualifications grows.

His comments come after an agreement was reached by the EU Council to create a new €100 million microfinance facility to improve social inclusion and job creation in the region.