RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AND OF THE MINISTERS FOR EDUCATION, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL of 12 July 1982 concerning measures to be taken to improve the preparation of young people for work and to facilitate their transition from education to working life

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE MINISTERS FOR EDUCATION, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,

Referring to the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, of 9 February 1976 comprising an action programme in the field of education (1), and in particular point III and point IV, paragraph 22, thereof;

Referring to the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, of 13 December 1976 concerning measures to be taken to improve the preparation of young people for work and to facilitate their transition from education to working life (2), and in particular point III, paragraph 1 thereof;

Referring to the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, of 15 January 1980, extending the programme of pilot projects at Community level for which provision is made in point III, paragraph 1, of the Resolution of 13 December 1976 (3);

Referring to their meeting of 22 June 1981;

Taking account of the fact that the campaign against youth unemployment, particularly amongst the most disadvantaged categories of young people, must be considered as a task of highest priority;

Recording, in consequence, their agreement on the report from the Education Committee,

HEREBY ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION:

I. This Resolution and the report of the Education Committee shall be forwarded to the European Parliament and to the Economic and Social Committee.

II. Pursuant to point IV-22 of the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, of 9 February 1976 and further to the programme of pilot projects laid down on the basis of point III-1 of the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, of 13 December 1976, pilot projects to assist national policy in each Member State shall be implemented until 31 December 1986 particularly as regards the following: (i) the use of the out-of-school environment as a learning resource enabling both young people and teachers to gain experience of the world of work, to develop understanding of the mechanisms of society, and to practise skills relating to living or which are of a social nature;

(ii) the involvement of adults, including parents, employers and trade unionists, in activities taking place within the school in order to increase understanding about the role of education institutions and to support schools in their task of preparing young people for adult life. Further, a continuous dialogue with a range of social groups, including parents and the social partners, about the role of schools in enabling young people to gain the basic understanding, knowledge and skills they will need for adult life;

(iii) the coordinated provision of information and guidance about post-school opportunities for young people, and the development of systematic guidance for young people in the 14-18 years age group on future career options as well as of further education and training opportunities;

(iv) the development of practical cooperation between education authorities and employment and social agencies and with other bodies active in this field in order to provide direct work experience, simulated work experience with help from industry, work experience in the local community and (1) OJ No C 38, 19.2.1976, p. 1. (2) OJ No C 308, 30.12.1976, p. 1. (3) OJ No C 23, 30.1.1980, p. 1. the general use of the local environment as a learning resource;

(v) the development of systems of certification or credit units flexible enough to make possible the assessment of the variety of learning experience considered important for the period of transition, including experience gained in an out-of-school environment, whether formally or informally;

(vi) the development of continuous in-service training and personnel policies designed to enable teaching staff to adjust individually and collectively, to the new demands made of them, and the introduction of cooperation with staff from post-school education institutions as well as from industry, commerce or agriculture.

III. The measures referred to in point II will be implemented in close liaison with other initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment, particularly amongst young people.

IV. The Community's financing of the measures specified in point I shall be decided in accordance with the Community budgetary rules and procedures.