No C 23/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 1. 89 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting the second phase of the programme 
on cooperation between universities and enterprises regarding training in the field of tech­
nology (COMETT II) C1) 
(89/C 23/02) 
On 9 August 1988 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Social, Family, Educational and Cultural Affairs, which was responsible for 
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 10 November 1988. 
The Rapporteur was Mr Nierhaus. 
At its 260th plenary session (meeting of 23 November 1988) the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
1. Introduction and general comments 
1.1. The Programme on cooperation between univer­
sities and enterprises regarding training in the field of 
technology—COMETT—was adopted by the Council 
on 24 July 1986 for a period running in principle from 
1 January 1986 to 31 December 1989. The present Draft 
Decision provides for a new programme which, while 
pursuing the same objectives as COMETT I, builds on 
the progress made in that first phase (1986-1989); at 
the same time the programme is put on a broader 
financial footing. 1.4. The Committee acknowledges the considerable 
increase in funds for COMETT II (250 million ECU) 
compared with COMETT I (45 million ECU). In view 
of the importance of COMETT's objectives, however, 
this amount would still seem insufficient, as is shown 
by the fact that most of the numerous applications 
submitted under COMETT I could not be satisfied. 
2. Specific comments 
1.2. On 27 November 1985 the Committee issued an 
Opinion endorsing the action programme 'because it 
will further the Community's drive to secure world 
competitiveness in the long term through technology 
cooperation by the Member States'. 
1.3. The proposed continuation of the programme 
—building on the experience gained so far and the 
priorities derived from it—seems all the more important 
to the Committee as there is increasing evidence of 
a shortage of highly qualified personnel in the new 
technologies and their application in all branches of the 
economy and public administration. 
The Committee would particularly stress the Com­
mission's statement that 'advanced training for tech­
nology and its applications cannot be limited to 'high-
tech' sectors only'. Hence the second, like the first, 
phase of the programme will aim to integrate more 
traditional sectors of industry, such as textiles, steel 
and food, into the programme along with the key 
areas of high technology. It is precisely in these older 
industries that the new technologies set off a far-reach­
ing process of restructuring, the economic and social 
repercussions of which can only be mastered by a highly 
qualified management and workforce. 
I1) OJ No C 239, 14. 9. 1988, p. 3. 2.1. The Committee has been proved right in its view 
(cf. Opinion on COMETT I) that the structural changes 
initiated by developments in the new technologies will 
have repercussions of unforseeable complexity in virtu­
ally all areas of economic and social life. Initial experi­
ence with COMETT I clearly shows that an equally 
comprehensive approach must be adopted towards the 
training of those managers and skilled workers in indus­
try and science who are affected by these changes. This 
means: 
— besides many branches of industry, a broad range 
of trade and service sectors, including certain areas 
of health care, must be included in the programme, 
— assisting students and graduates in a wide variety 
of disciplines (not only technical). If the new tech­
nologies are to be introduced and assimilated in an 
efficient and socially acceptable manner, appropri­
ate know-how and practical experience are also 
particularly important, e.g. for graduates in business 
administration, economists, lawyers, sociologists 
and teachers, for whom whole new fields of activity 
may be opened up, 
— the inclusion of the two sides of industry, so as to 
add weight to the social dialogue on the introduc­
tion of new technologies and their impact on wor­
kers by giving it a firm foundation in fact and 
setting it against a background of Community-wide 
experience. In this connection the Committee par­
ticularly welcomes the fact that its suggestion has 
been taken up to include, albeit only in an observer 
30. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 23/3 
capacity, two representatives of the social partners 
on the consultative committee set up under Article 5 
of the Draft Decision. 
2.2. The Committee regards the environmental tech­
nologies, in which the new technologies are becoming 
ever more important, as a major new industrial sector 
with a substantially enhanced role to play in the world 
economy. Therefore the Committee urges that special 
attention be paid to projects from this sector, especially 
in Strands B and C of the programme. This will also 
considerably improve the competitiveness of the Com­
munity economy on the international markets. 
2.3. The Committee would particularly point out 
that the COMETT programme should help to cement 
the economic and social cohesion of, above all, the 
southern EC countries through the training of mana­
gerial personnel. 
2.4. The Committee would once again expressly 
point out that it is important for the relevant pro­
fessional circles to be properly informed if the pro­
gramme is to be implemented effectively. A written 
description of the objectives, the conditions attached 
to assistance and the application procedure should be 
drawn up in all Community languages and distributed 
through the national coordination offices and pro­
fessional organizations. The success of the COMETT 
Done at Brussels, 23 November 1988. programme will stand or fall on the provision of clearer 
and more comprehensive information regarding eligi­
bility and opportunities. 
2.5. As the participation of small businesses is still 
inadequate, consideration should be given to some 
relaxation of the aid conditions for this sector. In special 
cases aid in excess of 50% should be possible. This 
also applies to the inclusion of non-profit making insti­
tutions in the programme. Here too, it is essential 
that the flow of information to the relevant firms and 
institutions be improved. 
Another way of mobilizing small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) and involving them more in the pro­
gramme would be to strengthen cooperation with the 
relevant professional organizations, as the Commission 
suggests. 
2.6. The Committee also welcomes the opening up 
of programme projects to countries of the European 
Free Trade Association (EFTA). Any extra expenditure 
occasioned by this should as a rule be met by the 
countries themselves. 
2.7. In the Committee's view special priority should 
be given to projects whose objectives have a direct 
bearing on the completion of the internal market in 
1992 and its social aspects. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE