Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(2003/C 57/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XT 30/01

Member State: Spain

Region: Extremadura

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Aid for in-service training or retraining and training courses linked to job creation commitments, targeted on transport firms or activities in the fishing, farming and aquaculture sectors involving the production, processing or sale of the products listed in Annex I of the Treaty establishing the European Community

Legal basis: Decreto n° 61/2001, de 17 de abril, por el que se establece el plan Regionnal de la Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura, sobre formación, perfeccionamiento y cualificación profesional de trabajadores y desempleados (Diario Oficial de Extremadura n° 49 de 28 de abril de 2001)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: ESP 50000000/EUR 300506,05

Maximum aid intensity: The percentages laid down in Regulation (EC) No 68/2001

Date of implementation: 29 April 2001

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 30 June 2007

Objective of aid: To facilitate the professional development of people working for small and medium-sized enterprises or private organisations and independent business people in the autonomous community of Extremadura.

To implement vocational training on the job, thereby promoting the direct integration of jobless workers into the world of work. Training can be either specialised or general.

It is regarded as general if it meets the requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 68/2001.

Training is considered to be "general" if it includes training which is not solely or mainly applicable directly to the worker's present or future job in the beneficiary firm and it leads to qualifications which are transferable for the most part to other firms or areas of work, thus making the worker far more employable. Training is general if, for instance: it is jointly organised by at least two independent enterprises in the same sector; it is recognised, certified or validated by public authorities or bodies or by other bodies or institutions on which Spain or the Community have conferred the necessary powers. (Please find enclosed the vocational certification programmes approved by the Spanish Government)

Economic sector(s) concerned: Transport firms or activities in the fishing, farming and aquaculture sectors involving the production, processing or sale of the products listed in Annex I of the Treaty establishing the European Community

Name and address of the granting authority: Consejería de Trabajo Avda. de Extremadura, 43 E - 06800 Méridas, Badajoz

Aid No: XT 37/02

Member State: Germany

Region: Hamburg

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Guidelines issued by the economic and labour authorities with a view to promoting manpower skills for new jobs

Legal basis: Haushaltsplan 2002 der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg (Drucksache 16/6400 und 17/180), beschlossen von der Bürgerschaft in den Haushaltsberatungen vom 15.-17. April 2002. Richtlinie über die Förderung der Qualifizierung von Arbeitskräften auf neuen Arbeitsplätzen

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 300000

Maximum aid intensity: Large enterprises

General training: 50 %

Specific training: 25 %

Small and medium-sized enterprises

General training: 70 %

Specific training: 35 %

Maximum: EUR 3000 EUR

Date of implementation: 1 May 2002

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 30 June 2007 at the latest

Objective of aid: The aid is intended for training measures during the first six months of employment in a new job provided that the Labour Office does not decide to provide the aid. The aid scheme concerns general and specific training. According to Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001:

- general training means training involving tuition which is not applicable only or principally to the employee's present or future position in the assisted firm, but which provides qualifications that are largely transferable to other firms or fields of work and thereby substantially improves the employability of the employee,

- specific training means training involving tuition directly and principally applicable to the employee's present or future position in the assisted firm and providing qualifications which are not or only to a limited extent transferable to other firms or fields of work

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors of the economy as provided for in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001

Name and address of the granting authority: Behörde für Wirtschaft und Arbeit Amt Arbeitsmarkt- und Strukturpolitik Alter Steinweg 4 D - 20459 Hamburg

Aid No: XT 38/02

Member State: Spain

Region: Autonomous Community of Navarre

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Grants for training in the public transport sector

Legal basis: Ley Foral n° 8/1997, de 9 de junio. Comunidad Foral de Navarra

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Budget appropriation earmarked: EUR 48081

Maximum aid intensity: 75 %

Date of implementation: 2002

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 20 December 2002

Objective of aid: General training. Subject-matter of the training set out in Regional Order 392/2002 of 8 April 2002

Economic sector(s) concerned: Miscellaneous transport services. Public road transport

Name and address of the granting authority: José Ignacio Palacios Zuasti Consejero de Obras Públicas, Transportes y Comunicaciones del Gobierno de Navarra San Ignacio, 3 E - 31003 Pamplona

Other information: Invitation to apply for grants published in Regional Order 392/2002 of 8 April 2002

Aid No: XT 39/01

Member State: Sweden

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Employee training

Legal basis: Förordningen om stöd till utbildning av anställda, SFS 2001:626

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 27314046

Maximum aid intensity: The aid is granted in respect of training which is general or specific as defined in Article 2 of Commission Regulation No 68/2001. It does not exceed 50 % or 25 % of costs, or EUR 6031 per person over a two-year period. The eligible costs are specified in the aid regulation in accordance with Article 4(7) of Commission Regulation No 68/2001

Date of implementation: 1 September 2001

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until further notice. The budget resources are allocated annually by the Government

Objective of aid: Contribution to the development of workplace skills motivated by labour market policy considerations. Training aid may be granted to employees in small or medium-sized enterprises if at the same time the employer takes on an unemployed person registered with the public employment services as a replacement for the person undergoing training. Aid may be granted even if no replacement is appointed if the training is designed to increase the employee's chances of keeping his job or finding a new one after he has been given notice or made redundant. The Labour Market Board, which is the granting authority, is drawing up regulations on what should be considered general or specific training in the light of the Commission's definitions in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors and services except activities in the coal and steel industry covered by the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community

Name and address of the granting authority: Arbetsmarknadsstyrelsen (AMS) Kungstensgatan 45 S - 113 59 Stockholm Tel. (46-8) 58 60 60 00

Aid No: XT 45/02

Member State: Germany

Region: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Directives of the Ministry of Labour and Construction for promoting the training and stabilisation of persons setting up in business (AQMV 2000 RL 9)

Legal basis: Landesprogramm "Arbeit und Qualifizierung für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2000", Richtlinien des Ministeriums für Arbeit und Bau zur Förderung der Qualifizierung und Stabilisierung von Existenzgründerinnen und Existenzgründern vom 16.2.2000

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 3,421 million (new appropriations, including commitment authorisations for subsequent budget years)

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 90 % of eligible expenditure on planning, personnel and fixed assets. The aid intensities depend on the type of training measure (general or specific), on the type of enterprise receiving direct assistance (large enterprise or SME) and on whether the measure benefits disadvantaged workers

Date of implementation: 1 January 2000. Until the entry into force of the block exemption Regulation, assistance will be granted under the Community framework on training aid

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2002

Objective of aid: To promote self-employment as a means of reducing unemployment and contributing to the development of a viable SME structure in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania via further training. For the most part, assistance is provided for general measures and general training measures

Economic sector(s) concerned: All economic sectors

Name and address of the granting authority: Versorgungsamt Rostock Herr Dr. Regner Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 35 D - 18059 Rostock

Aid No: XT 47/02

Member State: Germany

Region: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Directives of the Ministry of Labour and Construction on assistance under the Law on Further Training: paragraph 2.2 (AQMV 2000, paragraph 1b)

Legal basis: Landesprogramm "Arbeit und Qualifizierung für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2000", Richtlinien des Ministeriums für Arbeit und Bau zur Förderung nach dem Weiterbildungsgesetz vom 16.2.2000

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 11,658 million (new appropriations, including commitment authorisations for subsequent budget years)

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 90 % of eligible expenditure on planning, personnel and fixed assets. The aid intensities depend on the type of training measure (general or specific), on the type of enterprise receiving direct assistance (large enterprise or SME) and on whether the measure benefits disadvantaged workers

Date of implementation: 1 January 2000. Until the entry into force of the block exemption Regulation, asisstance will be granted under the Community framework on training aid

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 1 January 2000 to 31 May 2002

Objective of aid: To promote company and manpower adaptability as a means of reducing unemployment and to support economic development via further vocational training measures. For the most part, assistance is provided for general measures and general training measures

Economic sector(s) concerned: All economic sectors

Name and address of the granting authority: Versorgungsamt Rostock Herr Dr. Regner Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 35 D - 18059 Rostock

Aid No: XT 49/02

Member State: Germany

Region: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Directives of the Ministry of Labour and Construction for promoting the training and stabilisation of persons setting up in business dated 10 April 2002

Legal basis: Richtlinien zum Arbeitsmarkt- und Strukturentwicklungsprogramm (ASP) für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Amtsblatt für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern vom 19. April 2002), D.8.3 Richtlinien des Ministeriums für Arbeit und Bau zur Förderung der Qualifizierung und Stabilisierung von Existenzgründerinnen und Existenzgründern vom 10. April 2002

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 2,326 million (new appropriations, including commitment authorisations for subsequent budget years)

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 90 % of eligible expenditures. The aid intensities depend on the type of training measure (general or specific), on the type of enterprise receiving indirect assistance (large enterprise or SME) and on whether the measure benefits disadvantaged workers

Date of implementation: 1 September 2002

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 1 September 2002 to 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: To promote self-employment as a means of reducing unemployment and contributing to the development of a viable SME structure in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania via further training. For the most part, assistance is provided for general measures and general training measures

Economic sector(s) concerned: All economic sectors

Name and address of the granting authority: Versorgungsamt Rostock Herr Dr. Regner Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 35 D - 18059 Rostock

Aid No: XT 50/02

Member State: Germany

Region: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Directives of the Ministry of Labour and Construction of 10 April 2002 aimed at promoting equality of opportunity between men and women

Legal basis: Richtlinien zum Arbeitsmarkt- und Strukturentwicklungsprogramm (ASP) für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Amtsblatt für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern vom 19. April 2002), E.9.1/2 Richtlinien des Ministeriums für Arbeit und Bau zur Förderung der Chancengleichheit von Frauen und Männern vom 10. April 2002

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 9,85 million for all forms of assistance under the directives (new appropriations, including commitment authorisations for subsequent budget years)

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 80 % of eligible expenditure. The aid intensities depend on the type of training measure (general or specific), on the type of enterprise receiving direct assistance (large enterprise or SME) and on whether the measure benefits disadvantaged workers. General measures may in specific instances be financed in full, in which case the block exemption Regulation does not apply

Date of implementation: 1 May 2002

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 1 May 2002 to 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: To improve equality of opportunity between men and women on the labour market and in the workplace via specific measures (see also "Other information")

Economic sector(s) concerned: All economic sectors

Name and address of the granting authority: Versorgungsamt Rostock Herr Dr. Regner Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 35 D - 18059 Rostock

Other information: In practice, there are only a limited number of cases where the "training measure" criterion under the block exemption Regulation for training measures is met. As a rule, the assistance goes to general measures which do not fall under Article 87 of the EC Treaty

Aid No: XT 57/01

Member State: Spain

Region: Autonomous community of the Basque Country

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Aid scheme for in-service training in enterprises

Legal basis: Acuerdo de 10 de octubre de 2001 del pleno del Patronato de Hobetuz (Fundación Vasca para la Formación Profesional Continua), por el que se aprueba la convocatoria de ayudas a la formación continua dirigida a Empresas para el año 2001 (Boletín Oficial del País Vasco de 11 de octubre de 2001)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 15000000

Maximum aid intensity: Provision is made for four maximum intensities, depending on the nature of the training offered (general or specialised) and the size of the firm concerned (SME or non-SME): 30 %-40 %-55 %-75 %

Date of implementation: November 2001

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: December 2001

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid scheme is the funding of training plans, which can involve training of any kind

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority: Hobetuz, Fundación Vasca para la Formación Profesional Continua Gran Vía 35 - 6o E - 48009 Bilbao

Other information: Please find enclosed a copy of those sections of the Aid Scheme which refer to the application of Regulation No 68