I should like to share some of our perspectives with you perspectives that are drawn from the rich and varied experience we have gained along with our Member States. To be competitive in the global economy, a country has to educate the bulk of its citizens up to a significant level, providing appropriate technological and vocational education so as to make its work-force at all levels highly skilled. Modern technologies have helped to establish, in many countries, comprehensive production systems based on highly qualified work, complex job assignments and teamwork structures. Competent personnel are essential in handling such modern and flexible production technology. They are required to solve intricately complex problems.
Specialised knowledge limited to one workplace is no longer sufficient.
Capacity and flexibility, along with willingness, are now decisive skills. Technological and vocational education should, therefore, provide more generalizable skills in order to prepare the labour force for the rapidly changing world of work. The skills developed will be used by people who have particular sets of values. In this connection, the concept of key competencies has received increasing attention. These competencies may include, collection and analysing information, planning activities, working with partners, using technology, and so forth.