14. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 239/3 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting the second phase of the programme on cooperation 
between universities and enterprises regarding training in the field of technology (Comett II) 
COM(88) 429 final 
(Submitted by the Commission on 26 July 1988) 
(88/C 239/04) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 128 
thereof, 
Having regard to Council Decision 63/266/EEC of 
2 April 1963 laying down general principles for 
implementing a common vocational training policy ('), 
and in particular the second, sixth, seventh, ninth and 
tenth principles thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas in its Decision 86/365/EEC of 24 July 1986 (2) 
the Council adopted a programme on cooperation 
between universities and enterprises regarding training in 
the field of technology for a period of four years 
commencing on 1 January 1986; 
Whereas Article 6 of the above Decision provides that 
the Commission will submit by 31 October 1988 to the 
Council, the European Parliament and the Economic 
and Social Committee a report on experience in 
implementing the Comett programme, together with a 
proposal regarding the arrangements for continuing it, if 
appropriate; and that the Council shall take a decision 
on this proposal by 31 October 1989, after consulting the 
European Parliament and the Economic and Social 
Committee; 
Whereas the European Council which met in December 
1986 emphasized the importance of Community actions 
for employment and of having as their objective to 
encourage better training of young people and adults; 
(') OJ No 63, 20. 4. 1963, p. 1338/63. 
O OJ No L 222, 8. 8. 1986, p. 17. Whereas the Council, in its resolution of 2 December 
1986 concerning a strategic programme for growth and 
employment, underlined the priority of initial and 
continuing education (3); and confirmed this commitment 
in its Decision 87/569/EEC of 1 December 1987 
adopting the action programme for the vocational 
training of young people and their preparation for 'adult 
and professional' life (4); 
Whereas the Council has already adopted, in extending 
the framework programme of research and devel­
opment (5), measures aimed at reinforcing technological 
and industrial cooperation at Community level, 
in particular by its Decisions 88/479/EEC (6), 
88/108/EECO, 88/419/EEC (8) concerning Esprit, 
Brite/Euram, Science, and by its Decision 
88/417/EEC (') concerning Delta, which is directed 
specifically at learning technologies; whereas this techno­
logical and industrial cooperation in the field of research 
and development must be supported by parallel efforts in 
the field of vocational training; 
Whereas the Council, in its Decision 87/307/EEC of 13 
June 1987 on the Strategic Community Programme for 
Innovation and Transfer of Technology (Sprint) (I0), 
adopted certain activities concerning the transfer of 
know-how in the fields of innovation management and 
transfer of technology; 
Whereas the European Parliament adopted on 24 May 
1983 a resolution on the competitiveness of Community 
industry (n), in which it asks for increased efforts to be 
made in favour of vocational training and the training of 
the leaders of enterprises; whereas this resolution 
(3) OJ No C 340, 31. 12. 1986, p. 2. 
(4) OJ No L 346, 10. 12. 1987, p. 31. 
(5) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 23. 
(6) OJ No L 118, 6. 5. 1988, p. 32. 
O OJ No L 59, 4. 3. 1988, p. 23. 
(•) OJ No L 206, 30. 7. 1988, p. 34. 
O OJ No L 206, 30. 7. 1988, p. 20. 
O OJ No L.153, 13. 6. 1987. 
(") OJ No C 135, 24. 5. 1983, p. 27. 
No C 239/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 14. 9. 88 
complements the resolution on the continuing training of 
workers in enterprises and various other resolutions 
concerning in particular higher education and the devel­
opment of university cooperation in the European 
Community ('), open universities in the European 
Community, the framework programme for techno­
logical research and development (2), and regional devel­
opment, education and training (3); 
Whereas the exploitation of technological developments 
throughout industry will depend on the adaptability of 
the qualifications and the enterprise of the workforce; 
whereas, in this context, there is a more urgent need 
than ever to reinforce, at Community level, the appro­
priate initiatives and actions in progress which aim to 
draw the full potential from human resources and 
investments in training as a complement to an overall 
Community strategy in the field of industrial, research, 
development and innovation policies; and whereas in this 
context vocational training is an indispensable instrument 
for the completion of the internal market in 1992; 
Whereas cooperation between university and enterprise 
in the field of training already developed within the first 
Comett programme must be strengthened within 
Member States, particularly at local and regional level, 
and be assisted by Community measures; whereas, in this 
context, it is important to support training actions having 
a Community dimension and to ensure balanced devel­
opment throughout the Community, and therefore in 
order to do so it is appropriate to involve, as far as 
possible, existing bodies in the Member States; 
Whereas in this respect Comett is contributing to the 
strengthening of the scientific and technological base of 
European industry and its international competitiveness 
as well as also to the reduction of the disparities between 
various regions and in the gap between the more and the 
less developed regions in terms of Articles 130F and 
130A of the Treaty; 
Whereas it is necessary, in extension to the Council 
resolution of 3 November 1987 concerning a strategic 
programme in favour of small and medium-sized enter­
prises ('), to engage such enterprises in the implemen­
tation of Comett as well as in the diffusion of the results 
of the programme; 
Whereas the Council has taken its Decision 87/327/EEC 
of 15 June 1987 (5) adopting the European Community 
action programme for the mobility of university students 
(Erasmus); 
Whereas it is necessary to proceed with a periodic 
evaluation of the programme; 
(l) OJ No C 104, 16. 4. 1984, p. 48. 
C) OJ No C 7, 12. 1. 1987, p. 19. 
(J)OJ No C 99, 13. 4. 1987, p. 15. 
(4)OJ No C 287, 14. 11. 1986, p. 1. 
(') OJ No L 166, 25. 6. 1987, p. 20. Whereas in the implementation of the programme the 
Commission should be assisted by a committee; 
After consultation with the Comett committee estab­
lished by Decision 86/365/EEC referred to above, and 
having regard to the opinions expressed by the Industrial 
Research and Development Advisory Committee (Irdac), 
of the Advisory Committee for Vocational Training, the 
Union of Confederations of Industry and Employers 
in Europe (Unice), the European Trades Union 
Confederation (ETUC), as well as the Liaison 
Committee of Rectors Conferences of the Member 
States of the European Community, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
1. A second phase of the Comett programme for 
cooperation between universities and enterprises 
regarding training in the field of technology, hereinafter 
referred to as 'Comett IF, is hereby adopted for a period 
of five years commencing on 1 January 1990. 
2. The detailed arrangements for Comett II are 
contained in the Annex. 
Article 2 
For the purposes of Comett II: 
— the term 'university' is used in its general sense td 
indicate all types of post-secondary education and 
training establishments which offer, where appro­
priate within the framework of advanced training, 
qualifications or diplomas of that level, whatever 
such establishments may be called in the Member 
States, 
— the term 'enterprise' is used to indicate all types of 
economic activity, including both large and small and 
medium-sized enterprises, whatever their legal status 
and the manner of applying new technologies. By 
extension, the term 'enterprise' may indicate also 
professional associations, economic development 
agencies (notably chambers of commerce and 
industry and their equivalents) as well as organi­
sations representing employers or employees. 
Article 3 
The objectives of Comett II are as follows: 
— to improve the supply of training at local, regional 
and national level with the assistance of the auth­
orities concerned, thus contributing to the balanced 
economic and social development of the Community, 
— to give a European dimension to cooperation 
between universities and enterprises in initial and 
continuing training relating to technologies and their 
14. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 239/5 
applications and transfer, supporting in this respect 
the contribution of higher education institutions to 
the completion of the internal market, 
— to foster the joint development of training 
programmes and the exchange of experience, and 
also the optimum use of training resources at 
Community level, 
— to develop the level of training in response to techno­
logical change and social changes by identifying the 
resulting priorities in existing training arrangements, 
in particular in favour of small and medium-sized 
enterprises, which call for supplementary action both 
within Member States and at Community level, and 
by promoting equal opportunities for men and 
women. 
Article 4 
1. The Community will contribute to the execution of 
Comett II to the extent of the resources voted for this 
programme in the budget of the European Communities, 
in conformity with the financial perspectives decided 
jointly by the three institutions and with the development 
foreseen in those perspectives. 
2. The funds estimated as necessary for the implemen­
tation of Comett II amount to 250 million ECU. This 
amount is intended to finance the various support and 
measures set out in the Annex, including support for 
evaluation, animation, and diffusion actions necessary 
for the execution of the programme. 
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall implement the Comett II 
programme in accordance with the provisions of the 
Annex. 
2. In the performance of that task the Commission 
shall be assisted by a committee of a consultative nature, 
consisting of two representatives from each Member 
State, of whom at least one shall be from the industry 
sector, and chaired by a Commission representative. The 
members of the Committee shall be responsible for 
liaison between Comett II and similar initiatives 
implemented in the Member States. The representative of 
the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of 
the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its 
opinion on the draft, within a time limit which the 
chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the 
matter, if necessary by taking a vote. The opinion shall 
be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member 
State shall have the right to ask to have its position 
recorded in the minutes. The Commission shall take the 
utmost account of the opinion delivered by the 
Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner 
in which its opinion has been taken into account. The Commission may also consult the committee on 
any other matter concerning the implementation of 
Comett II. 
3. Two representatives of the social partners, 
appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals 
by the organizations representing the social partners at 
Community level, will participate in the work of the 
Committee in the capacity of observers. 
4. An annual report regarding the implementation of 
Comett II shall be submitted by the Commission after 
consulting the Comett committee to the European 
Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social 
Committee. 
5. The Commission shall ensure that Comett II is 
consistent with other Community research and devel­
opment actions already programmed — in particular the 
Delta programme — as well as those implemented on the 
one hand in the field of innovation and technology 
transfer — notably the Sprint programme — and on the 
other hand in the field of education and training, in 
particular the Erasmus programme for the mobility of 
university students, the Eurotecnet programme for voca­
tional training in information technologies, and those 
actions in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises. 
Article 6 
1. The Commission shall submit by 30 June 1992 an 
evaluation report to the Council, as well as the European 
Parliament and Economic and Social Committee, on the 
implementation of Comett II. This report shall, if appro­
priate, be accompanied with suggestions for possible 
changes in the execution of Comett II which might prove 
necessary in the light of developments in the implemen­
tation of the Programme. 
2. The Commission will by 30 June 1995 submit to the 
Council, the European Parliament, and the Economic 
and Social Committee a final report on the experience 
and results of Comett II having regard to the objectives 
set and defined in Article 3 of this Decision. 
3. With a view to the preparation of the reports 
referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, the Commission 
will invite the Member States to present a contribution 
which describes the current state of development in 
university-enterprise cooperation in the field of training 
for technology and its applications as well as the 
measures taken with a view to ensuring the full devel­
opment of this cooperation both at national and 
Community level. 
Article 7 
This decision shall take effect on 1 January 1990. 
No C 239/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 14. 9. 88 
ANNEX 
1. The Comett programme comprises a range of transnational actions to strengthen and encourage 
cooperation between universities and enterprises within the European framework in regard to advanced 
training in response to technological change and social changes. 
These measures are directed at trainees, including new graduates, persons in active employment, 
including the social partners and the training officers concerned. 
2. Within the framework of the Comett programme the projects which are to receive Community 
assistance will be chosen on the basis of, in particular, their stimulative and exemplary character, and 
their contribution to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3 of the Decision. 
The selection of projects will take account of the development of the framework programme for tech­
nology research and development (R&D), independently of the participation of the enterprises 
concerned in it. Particular emphasis will be put on the training needs of small and medium-sized enter­
prises. 
3. The following measures will be implemented in the course of Comett II: 
A. European Network 
(a) The development and extension of the existing European network of university-enterprise training 
partnerships (UETPs), regional or sectoral, having as its objective transnational cooperation, 
particularly in the following fields: 
— identification of training needs in technology, 
— training for innovation transfer and for the consequences of the establishment of the Europe of 
technology — particularly for the small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of the 
completion of the internal market, 
— shared development and exploitation of joint projects in the field of technology training within 
the other strands of the Comett II programme, 
— reinforcement of inter-regional cooperation and transfer in the field of technology training. 
(b) The Community will contribute to the implementation and management of the UETP network by 
taking into account other Community initiatives for supporting local and regional development as 
well as small and medium-sized enterprises. 
(c) The Community will grant financial support for activities with a European dimension as well as for 
the functioning of the UETPs within the network. This flat-rate contribution shall not normally 
exceed 50 % of the expenditure eligible. This support will be reduced progressively, with a ceiling 
per UETP of 70 000 ECU, 60 000 ECU and 50 000 ECU respectively for the first three years. In 
certain exceptional and duly justified cases, in particular with the aim of contributing to a more 
balanced development of the programme within the Community, the Community contribution may 
exceed the 50 % ceiling of eligible expenditure. 
B. Transnational Exchanges 
(a) Specific financial assistance to promote, for the benefit of all Member States, transnational exchange 
through the allocation of grants: 
(i) for students, including new graduates, carrying out a training period in enterprises located in 
another Member State, either for short to medium periods (three months to one year) or for 
longer periods linked to carrying out industrial projects; an important assessment criterion in 
the selection of projects submitted shall be the capacity of the sending university to recognize 
this training period in the enterprise as an integral part of the university course; 
14. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 239/7 
(ii) for personnel seconded from universities and enterprises to an enterprise or university respec­
tively in another Member State with a view to participating in training activities and enriching 
their knowledge and professional practices. 
(b) The Community's financial contribution will be limited to the direct and indirect mobility costs of 
recipients of grants, the costs of preparing, supervising and organizing the activities implemented 
and, where necessary, the costs of language courses for beneficiaries. The contribution will take the 
form of a flatrate payment. 
C. Joint Advanced training and multimedia distance training projects 
(a) Support for advanced training courses with a European dimension designed for the rapid dissemi­
nation in universities and enterprises of research and development results in the field of new techno­
logies and their applications, as well as for the promotion, particularly for small and medium-sized 
enterprises, of innovation transfer. 
(b) Support for work on devising, developing and testing at European level innovative joint advanced 
training projects, particularly those of an interdisciplinary character, initiated in common by 
different enterprises in liaison with the universities concerned in at least two Member States in fields 
relating to the new technologies and their applications in the context of the completion of the 
internal market and the reinforcement of economic and social cohesion. 
(c) Support for multilateral arrangements for initial and advanced training initiated jointly by different 
enterprises in association with the universities concerned aimed at establishing open systems for 
distance education utilizing the new information technologies and/or resulting in transferable 
training products. 
(d) For the actions referred to in (a), (b), and (c) above, priority will be given to projects oriented 
towards the training of trainers and to projects favouring the participation of SMEs in the actions 
planned. Special attention will be paid to projects associating in their execution university and 
industry partners from the peripheral regions of the Community. In exceptional cases and for a 
limited duration, the Commission may support projects in those regions' preparatory actions for the 
development of transnational projects. 
(e) The Community's financial contribution will be limited to 50 % of the total expenditure on the 
initiatives described in (a), (b), and (c) above. 
D. Complementary measures 
a) These measures have as their aim: 
(i) support for preparatory actions, notably in the form of visits or meetings, having as their 
objective the planning of projects within the different strands of the programme or the 
extension of existing projects to other partners; 
(ii) a structured exchange of information and experience, notably through supporting the Comett 
information centres created within the Community with a view to promotion the centres' 
Community exchange actions and diffusion and animation activities within the programme, as 
well as through the development of a databank and electronic mail facilities between projects; 
(iii) analysis and monitoring of developments in qualifications and training needs given the new 
technologies and their applications; 
(iv) better mutual comprehension of the obstacles hindering the development of university-
enterprise cooperation in training with a view to strengthening this cooperation, including the 
training of personnel engaged in this cooperation; 
(v) the continuing evaluation of Comett II as it is implemented as well as the technical and 
logistical support for the execution of the programme. 
(b) The financial contribution by the Commission for the complementary measures may be up to 100 % 
of the actual expenditure committed for these initiatives. 
No C 239/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 14. 9. 88 
By way of indication and subject to possible modifications necessitated by the progressive implemen­
tation of Comett II, 40 % of the funds allocated to the programme by the budgetary authority will be 
allotted to joint advanced training and multimedia distance training projects. An equivalent percentage 
will be allocated to transnational exchanges, with the remainder being allotted to the european network 
of UETPs and the complementary measures. 
By way of indication, the amount estimated as being necessary for Comett II in Article 4 (2) of the 
Decision should permit 14 000 students and trainees to carry out a transnational traineeship as well as 
the granting of 1 000 fellowships to the personnel of universities and enterprises.