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COM(82)296
Vol.1982/0110

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COMMISSION OF"VHZEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(82)296 finat
Brussels,3June1982
VOCATIONAL TRAINING ANDNEWINFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES :
NEWCOMMUNITY INITIATIVES DURINGTHEPERIOD1983-1987
I
(Communication fromtheCommission totheCouncil)
C0MC82)296finalf-–o"C"> •Ah-S-r'.
if/"\v(./>v
y––.-* IV,-à" .-/

etHlU
I.INTRODUCTION
1.Anessential elementintheEuropean Community'seconomic and
socialstrategy tobringinflation andunemployment under
control–andinparticular itseffortstoimprovethecompeti­
tiveness ofEuropean industry –isstrengthening theCommunity's
capacity toinnovate andtodevelopitstechnological potential .
TheCommunity needstoclosethegapwhichhasopenedupover
thelasttwentyyea^s "betweenitsownhigh–technology industries
•andthoseofJapanandtheUnitedStates.,Theimportance ofnew
information technologies inthiscontextisundisputed .Equally
undisputed isthefactthattheproblems associated withthe
introduction ofthesetechnologies arenotonlyeconomic and
technical ,"butalsosocialandthattheycan"besuccessfully
introduced onlyifthewholerangeofproblemsiseffectively
confronted andresblved .
ι
2mTheCommunity' sapproach tothisquestion mustnecessarily
takeaccountofthesevereunemployment situation whichpersists
inMemberStates,andwhichincreases socialuncertainty and
resistance tochange.Atthesametime,ithastoberecognised
thattheso–callednewinformation technologies arehereto
stay;thechallenge istoworkoutaconstructive andrealistic
response totheirintroduction insocietyandtofindwaysof
makingthemsocially acceptable .TheCommission therefore
underlines theneedforinitiatives inthisfieldtocontribute
«
tothewidereffortstoachieve asolution totheeconomic and
socialproblems facingtheCommunity ,inthespiritofthe
conclusions adoptedinthejointCouncilofFinance,Economic
AffairsandEmployment Ministers heldinJune1981.
3oThesocialproblems ,whicharetheparticular concernofthis
Communication ,arethemselves wide–ranging0Theimpactofthe
newinformation technologies willberadical,intermsofmethods
•o•/•*•

-2-
andstructures ofproduction ,oftheorganioation ofmanpower ,
ofworking conditions ,ofthe division oftime "between work and
leisure andofthegoods and services generally available o "What
is ,required isa"broadly-based process ofadjustment ,particularly
through initial axidfcontinuing vocational training ,where
programmes need'' to "bedesigned toproduce theskills which are
andwill beincreasingly indemand ,butalso more generally inthe
attitud.es ofworking people –present and future –tothenature
ofwork ,relationships with colleagues andtheworkplace ,andthe
organisation ofworking time 0Thedevelopment ofmanagerial :
skills andtheadaptation ofmanagers 1attitudes need tobe
accompanied byefforts topromote understanding among theworking
population generally ,byinvolving theprincipal groups concerned -
public authorities andthe social partners
4#Thesocial problems _andneeds arising from theintroduction of
newtechnologies arecommon toallMember States and ,just as
theeconomic andtechnical problems canprofitably (orarguably
only )bedealt with ataEuropean level ,sothesocial problems
canbest beapproached onthe fbasis ofaconcerted approach and
apooling ofactions throughout theCommunity ,,There hasalready
been some progress inthis direction (seeSection IIbelow )«
TheCommission ,recognises that itwill not bepossible tosucceed inthe
long term inmaking thenew .information technologies socially acceptable
unless they are seen tobeintroduced onthebasis ofconsensus®
Themore consideration isgiven tothevarious options and
choices opened upbythenew technologies ,andthe greater the
degree ofconsensus inworking outtheir implementation ,the
more likely itwill bethat changes canbesuccessfully introduced
andcohesive social andeconomic development achievedo Forthese
« i
reasons ,aspecial effort isrequired inparticular for the' social
andvocational preparation ofyoung people andofadults .
Thetraining systems intheMember States need tobeadapted
accordingly ,taking into account thediversity oftheir structures ,
toensure asteady improvement inthequality andcontent ofthe
training opportunities onoffer throughout adult life .. \
•••/•••

-3-
6•'New skill requirements differ forthe firm saidthaindividual
worker .Fbrthefirm ,itisaquestion ofrapidly adapting
itself tothedemands andpressures ofthemarket andof
techno ,logy .Fortheindividual worker ,itisincreasingly
necessary to "beable^'to "addnewskills andcompetences through­
outhisorherworking career .Astrategy ofcontinuing education
andtraining istherefore anessential pre–requisite toachieve thenecessa­
ryflexibility andadaptability cfthework-force .-Aonce-and-for-
allapproach totraining has "been rendered even less appropriate
"bytheadvent ofthenewtechnologies® Planning fortraining :
provisions will have totake account ofthe short andlong
term needs ofthe firms and ofthe individual workers .
7•Theaimofthepresent Communication isthus topropose aseries
ofmeasures designed tosupplement andreinforce Member States *
policies inthetrailing field andtoformpartoftherange
ofCommunity activities topromote apolicy fortheintroduction
ofthenew information technologies which isboth socially
sensitive andresponsible ,and atthe same time fully responsive
toeconomic andtechnical needs . f
11.THE COMMUNITY CONTEXT
8.Onthebasis ofrCommunication fromtheCommission ^^regarding
theimportance ofinformation technology forindustry andEuropean
society and theneed foraCommunity approach tothe social,'
legislative andindustrial implications ,theEuropean Council
atitsmeeting inNovember 1979 inDublin requested theCouncil of
Ministers tostudy acommon strategy forthedevelopment ofthese
technologies inEurope ^). Thisrequest extended thescope of
theresolution adopted bytheCouncil inSeptember 1979 on .
Community action promoting micro-electronic technology(3 )twhich
invited theCommission tosubmit specific projects concerned with
industrial policy andfurther training fortechnicians and
engineers ,,InJune 1981 ,moreover jthejoint Council meeting of
Ministers ofFinance,Economic andSocial Affairs ^)expressed
(l)COL .;(79)650Pinal ,26November 1979 :European society faced with the
challenge ofnewinformation technologies –aCommunity response
(2)Bull .EC11-1979 ,point 1.1.6
(3)0Jc231,13.9 o1979
(4)Bull .EC6–1981 ,point 1.3«3

_A-
deepconcernaboutthecontinuing riseinunemployment and
requested thatgreaterattention "bepaidtoa"betteradaptation
ofvocational training totherequirements :'ofthelabourmarket
andinparticular thoseresulting fromtheintroduction of
advanced technology ..
9®Duringitsexamination in1981ofpriorities inthefieldof
socialpolicy^)andoftherepercussions ofenergyproblems
andtechnological developments onemployment levels(2),the
European Parliament alsounderlined theneedtodevelopaCommunity
vocational training policywhichwouldtakeaccountofpresent :
andfuturerequirements ofthelabourmarket.Inthisperspective ,
theEuropean Parliament calledfor"greaterefforts "bythe
Community topromote formsoftraining whichtakeaccountofthe
micro-electronic revolution ,notably "bychanging theEuropean
SocialFundguidelines soastogivepriority tothetaskof
training fornewtechnologies ",
10-InFebruary1980^3)andsubsequently inNovember 1981,theStanding
Committee onEmployment examined thesocialchallenges arising
fromtheintroduction anddevelopment ofnewinformation technology
insofarasemployment ,workingconditions ,education andvocational
training wereconcerned .TheStanding Committee' slatestdelibera­
tionswerebasedonacommunica-tion fromtheCommission(4 )
whichsummarised progress inthesefields "todateintheMember
States,identified themainissuesforexamination andpossible
linesofdevelopment atCommunity level.TheCommission alsomade
available totheStanding Committee thesummaryofopinions
expressed "bythemembersfotheAdvisory Committee onVocational
Trainingatthemeetingheldon30.9«1981(5).
11.Onthe"basisofthemeetingoftheStanding Committee on
Enroloyment heldinNovember 1981thePresident notedinhis
(1)EuropeanParliament ,PV37jDoc.PE74*858,15September 1981
(2)EuropeanParliament ,PV32,DocoPE74.712,17September 1981
(3)C0Ií(80)578 Final,5.February 1980
(4)C0M(81)578 -Final,12October1981
(5)C0M(81)578 Final/2,26October1981
(6JCPE509/81Annex,3November 1981

-5-
conclusions that the Committee had re-affxrmed the need for a
coherent Community strategy covering thevarious aspects ofnew
technology andthat discussions ontechnological change should
take place inthe "broader context ofcurrent efforts toresolve
theeconomic and social difficulties facing theCommunity .In
his summaryi thePresident also underlined theneed tomake full
useoftheproductive potential offered "bythenew information
technologies with aview toimproving theworking environment and
jobsatisfaction ofemployees . »
• •
12.With respect tothe actions to "beundertaken ,theCommission wa.s
encouraged toinclude initswork the formulation ofanumber
ofprinciples which would enable workers andtheir representatives
to "beassociated with the introduction ofnewtechnology !whilst
taking full account oftheexisting practices andsystems inthe
Member States .Priority should also "begiven tothefollowing :
thetraining and^i^-training oftrainers andteachers inthe
application ofChenewtechnologies ,theappropriate adaptation of
training programmes foryoung people (particularly fortheyoung
unemployed )andtomeet theneeds associated with special groups
including older workers andwomek ,theuseoftechnology toaid
the social integration ofdisabled people ,improvement oftechnical
qualifications andtheir comparability within theCommunity ,
demonstration oftheemployment possibilities opened up "bynew
technology insmall andmedium –sized firmso TheCommission was
invited toput forward totheCouncil anumber ofCommunity
measures ,intheform ofpilot anddemonstration actions ,designed
toreinforce policy innovations atlocal andnational levelo The
Commission was also invited toassume acentral role inthecollection ,
collation anddissemination ofinformation andinthepromotion of
exchanges ofviews andexperiences .
13.Reference totheCommission 'swork onthesocial implications of
thenewtechnologies isalso included intheCommission 'sresponse
tothemandate of30May(^),anditforms partofthestrategy put
forward inthepreamble totheFifth medium-term economic policy
programme ^).There is,moreover ,animportant interplay with Community ac­
tions inthecontext ofindustrial innovation andrestructuring policies (3),
(1)COI'I(81)639Final/2,3November 1981
(2)C0ïï(8l )344Final ,22July "1981
(3)C0M(8l )620Final ,26Octo"tErl98l andC0K(8l )753Final ,9.December 1981

-6-
research anadevelopment ^/,andregional policy .Thesocial
implications ofnew technologies have aleo "been tfJccn upin "the
context ofCommunity action topromote employment ,particularly
with regard tothedevelopment ofsmall andmedium-sized firms (2)t
thenewCommunity Action programmes onthepromotion ofequal
opportunities forwomen (3)andonthesocial integration of
disabled people(4 ).
14.Theimplications fortheEuropean Social Pond andtheEuropean
Regional Development Fund have "been taken into account .With
particular respect totheSocial Fundj current rules make it :
possible incertain conditions tofinance vocational training
andretraining operations forpersons whose employment is
affected orislikely to "beaffected "bythe introduction ofthe
new technologi.eso Therules governing thegoals andoperation
ofthe Social Pond aresubject toreview in1982 and ,without
prejudice totheresults ofthis review ,theCommission expects
that some ofthenewmeasures proposed inthis Communication
could "befinanced "bythe Social Fund inthe future .
*
15.TheRegional Fund isalso animportant instrument through which ,
theless favoured _...region softheCommunity areencouraged to
take advantage ofthe "benefits offered "bythenewinformation
technologies .Thenon–quota section oftheRegional Fund ,in
particular ,provides assistance forinnovation inindustry
andservices through aidfortheestablishment orimprovement
oftelecommunications and information networks for small andmedium -
sized firms ,andforthe setting uporimprovement ofcommon
consultancy services inregions adversely affected "byother
Community policies .Intheproposals currently before theCouncil
ontherevision oftheRegional FundRegulation fe),theCommission
has proposed that these activities ofthenon–quota section "be
(1)C0M(81 )421Final ,1Septenïber 1981 ;JOC231,13September 1979 î
JOL376/38,30December 1981
(2)C0M(81 )633Final ,23October 1981
(3)C0M(S1 )758Final ,9December 1981 •
(4)C0K(8l )633Final ,29October 1981
(5)CCK(81 )589Final ,26October 1981

-7-
extended toareasofcariousindustrial decline.Inaddition ,
ithas "beenproposed "bytheCommission thatsimilarmeasures
"beembraced withinthequotasectionoftheFundforthe"benefit
ofallregions .eligible forFundassistanceo
-■ '
III.NEWCOKMUNITY INITIATIVES
16oInformulating theproposals foractionsetoutinthis
Communication ,theCommission has-takenintoaccounttheopinions
expressed "both "bytheStanding Committee onEmployment andthe
Advisory Committee forVocational Trainingo Moreover ,account
has"beentaken,whereappropriate ,oftheresultsofcompleted
studies andpublications available fromtheEuropean Centrefor
theDevelopment ofVocational Training (CEDEFOP),theEuropean
Foundation forLivingandWorkingConditions ,andfromthe
Commission 'sFASTproject andEuropean PoolofStudies and
Analysiso
h
«7»TheCommission hasselected alimited numberofspecificinitiatives
considered tobeofpriority' concern andcommoninterest ,where
cooperative effortatCommunity levelwouldappeartobemost
fruitful andwhichcouldhelpidentify newlinesofpolicydevelop­
mentintheMemberStatesaswellasforconcerted actioninthe
longerterm.Theproposals hereinalsocomplement thewider
rangeofproposals regarding vocational training policies
forthe1980swhichtheCommission intendstotransmit ,tothe
Councillaterthisyear (Parallel work
bytheCommission .intheareaofemployment policyandworking
conditions willalsobedeveloped intheligxrtoftheconclusions
summarised bythePresident atthemeetingoftheStanding Committee
onEmployment inNovember 1981.)TheCommission envisagesthatthe
variousinitiatives tobeundertaken withregardtotraining should
bebasedonanumberofgeneralguidelines ,foradoption bythe
Councilincluding thefollowing :
(i)theneedtoensureabroadly-based approachtotraining
whichprovides forboththeacquisition bytheindividual
•••/•••

-8-
ofavideranjeofspecificskillssoastorealisehis
orherfullpotential andalso tofacilitate greater
vocational andprofessional mobility andcontribute towards
enabling workerstoplayamoreactiveroleintheirwork}
(ii)thedevelopment ofprovisions fortraininginthisfieldtobe
directedattheworkingpopulation asawhole,regardless of
previous levelsofeducation ,sexorage,soastoavoidpola­
risation ofattitudes betweenspecialists andotherworkers and
theadultpopulation generally ;
(iii)theneedto-developbalanced systemsofsocialand
vocational preparation andtraining designed tofamiliarise
youngpeoplegndadultsbothwithapplications ofthenew
technologies andwiththeirsocialconsequences ;
(iv)theneedtotakeaccountofthespecifictrainingneeds
ofstaffinmanagerial positions inthecontextofthe
training programmes tobemademoregenerally available ;
(v)theneedtoencourage'intensified collaboration between
publicauthorities andthesocialpartners indesigning
training programmes inthisfieldandindrawinguponall
available resources tothisend;
(vi)theneedtolinkmeasuresinthisfieldwiththeprovisions
fortherelease ofworkers fortheirfurther education and
training ;
(vii)theintroduction ofspecialeffortstoimprovethe
employment prospects ofthosewhoareunemployed especially
youngpeople,byincorporating appropriate ur.itsofstudy
regarding newtechnology intheirtraining programmes ;
(viii)thepursuitofspecialeffortstoimprovethequalityand
quantityofthetraining ofpersonnel responsible forsetting
upprogrammes forthesocialandvocational preparation of
adultsin_this fieldo

Within this fr&xnowork ofgeneral guidelines ,"theCommission
proposes that thenew initiatives to "becarried out inthe
period 1983-1987 ,.should focus onthefollowing priority
issues :
(i)small andmedium-sized enterprises which seek to
modernise their production processes "bytheaDDlication
ofnewinformation technology :their training needs and
theimplications fortheplanning oftraining provisions
onthe "basis ofconsensus with allemployees .
large scale enterprise inthe services sector which sire
committed totheprogression introduction ofautomated
techniques ofadministration andmanagement (forinstance
in "banking ,andretailing sectors ):theimplications for
enterprise-based training personnel policies andthe
scope forpositive action towards employees whose skills
"become redundanto
unqualified unemployed young people whohave little
aptitude formore traditional forms ofvocational
training :the scope forusing newinformation technologies
asalearning tool tofacilitate theacquisition of
technological andother vocational skills .
Civ)older skilled workers made redundant asaresult ofthe
restructuring oftraditional manufacturing industry :the
scope fortheadaptation andupdating ofexisting skills
toimprove theemployment prospects ofthose inareas
ofindustrial decline especially those dominated "bythesteel
industry ;
(v)theevolution andcomparability ofvocational qualifications
throxighout theCommunity :theimplications forthemutual
recognition ofdiplomas .
(vi)public awareness andunderstanding about theapplications
ofnewtechnology :theimplications fornon-vocational
training andinformation activity ,especially by
•••/•#•(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
\

-10-
"broadcasting authorities .
19.Withregardtothefirstfourpriority issues,itisappreciated
thatMemberStateshavemadedifferent degreesofinvestment and
havearichls/variedexperience giventheirdifferent social
structures andtraining systemso TheCommission therefore
proposesthesetting-up ofacoordinated processforexchanging
ideasandexperience between MemberStatesoverthenextfew
yearstoassistinthecontinuing evaluation anddevelopment of-
nationalpolicies .,Inthisway,itwillbepossible todevelop
andtryoutnewapproaches ,toexplore commonproblems in
greaterdepth,toencourage thetransfer ofexperience and
promising innovations andtobuildupaplatform foramore
concerted effortinthemediumtermtoachievea"breakthrough ,
inthisfield.
Î
Tothisend,theCommission proposes thatanetworkof4
groupsofpilot/demonstration projectsbesetup,according to
eachofthefourpi^iority issues,torunforaperiodof3
operational years,allowing a4"thyeartocomplete thedissemina­
tionandreporting oftheexperience gained.Thisnetworkof4
groupsofprojects shouldbedesigned tostrengthen thecapacity
ofMemberStatestodrawpractical insights fromthecollective
experience acquiredo Abankofdocumentation should "besetup
"bytheCommission ,consisting ofmaterial culledfromthe4
•*
groupsofprojects ,whichcouldbedrawnuponbypolicymakers m
theareasconcerned andmademorewidelyavailable ,incooperation
withCSDEKJP ,totrainers andothermultipliers inthisfield.
20.Soastoexploitthespecificinsightsfortraining policy ,ofthese
4groupsofprojects ,theCommission proposesthatageneral
liaisongroupbesetup,tobedesignated asappropriate "byeach
MemberState,consisting ofthosewithresponsibility forthe^
coordination andmonitoring ofnationalpolicies andinitiatives
inthisfield. <
Withineachgroupofprojects ,certainspecific exchanges and
studies wouldbeprovided fortoena"bleteamsofobservers ,
ν
•••/••*

-11-
\
delegated ,bytherelevant representative organisations ,to
report ontheprojects totheprincipal interested parties ,
such astrade unions ,employers organisations ,women *s
associations ,personnel officers ,andtraining instructors .
21«Asregards themutual recognition andcomparability ofdiplomas ,
theCommission intends topresent proposals inthenear future
regarding anoverall framework agreement ,inthe light ofanumber
ofpreparatory activities undertaken inco-operation
with theframework oftheAdvisory Committee forVocational
Training .Without prejudice tothese proposals ,theCommission
intends togive priority todetailed examination ,drawing onthe
expertise ofCEDSP0P -,ofthe evolution ofqualifications inthe
following specific sectors :data processing ,electronics and
information technology ..This examination isintended tolead
inter alia togreater comparability inthe qualifications on
offer ,toidentify developing standards andcontent inthese
new fields ,and toprovide thebases forthe free movement of
workers inthese fields .
ft
22.Asregards general public awareness about new information
technology itisimportant that thepopulation atlarge should
understand the social and economic options available .This
cannot beachieved simply byapublic relations operation »An
educative effort isallthemore necessary ,forwithout it,
misconceptions anddefensive attitudes may d.evelop while ,simul­
taneously ,new andmore sophisticated devices arepenetrating
thefamily home andthelocal community (microcomputers ,video­
text ,etc.). Such aneffort would both increase theawareness
ofthepublic ,anddevelop anactive participatory attitude in
mastering theimplications ofthenev;information technologies
forboth the family andthe local community .Awide ranging
activity isthus needed inorder toreach thegreater part of
thepopulation and .involve itinaprocess ofexploration
andmutual education .Little ,however ,has sofarbeen done to
promote understanding andinformed discussion through adult and
continuing education ofanon-vocational kind .National broad­
casting organisations have contributed ,insome cases very

-12-
effectively ,topublic information throu^n programmes which
explore thepossible effects ofinformatics ,"butbroadcasting
alone islimited inwhat itcan achieve .
TheCommission therefore proposes toencourage ,incollaboration
with thebroadcasting organisations ,thedevelopment ofsuch programmes
foradults ,inconnection with themass-media atnational and
local level soastofamiliarise thepublic -with thepotential
ofthenew information technologies and sotoguarantee wider
understanding oftheir import ance <> ;
IV.35SOURCES REQUIRED TOBSPLEMEBTT THECOMMUNITY 'INITIATIVES FOR -1983-1987
23»Various measures will have to "bethoroughly prepared andwith this
inview ,1983 should beregarded asatransitional year forwhich
resources should "beearmarked .Itisenvisaged that thenetwork
ofprojects will commence in1984 andrunfor 3years ,andwill be
implemented bytheallocation ofresources from theCommunity
k
financial instruments –sofar asthepilot anddemonstration
projects andcorresponding networks areconcerned –whereas the
other activities andoverall coordination will "becovered by
additional resources tobeallocated toChapter VTofthebudget ,
andinparticular the article concerning vocational training .
V. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION
24.TheCommission recognises that theuncertainty about areas of
future economic growth andthechanging skill requirements of
industry also have profound implications forthetype of
educational provision fendinitial vocational preparation offered
toyoung people during compulsory education .Theintroduction
ι
ofnewtechnologies isnow recognised tohave inescapable
repercussions oneducation policies ,andmost ofallinrespect
ofpolicies affecting thepresent and -future generations of
young people approaching adult life® Inrecent years ,asa
consequence ,there hasbeen growing attention totheimplications
forthe education systems ,both atthelevel ofteaching methods
o••/©o

t
-13-
andisregardstheroleofschools ©equipping youngpeople "to
masterthe "basictechniques ofmicro–eleotronics andto•'understand
theirpossible applications insocietyasa-whole.
25„Sofarascompulsory educationisconcerned ,theapproachhas
generally concentrated ontheintroduction ofmicro–computers
intotheteaching ofmainstream curricula ,together withthe
development ofcomputing assuchasaseparate areaofstudy.
Thereisalsoagrowingemphasis onteachertraining ,"bothat
theinitialandin-service levels,particularly inthewriting
ofeducationally soundprogrammes whicharerecognised asbeing
ofcrucialimportance and-notreadilyavailable fromcommercial
sources.Suchastrategy ,aimingatgivingallstudents some
realawareness ofthesenewinformation technologies ,aswellas
somefirsthand experience ofworkingwiththem,alsoprovides the
foundations forthosewhowillgoontomorespecialised and
vocational studies.
26.Thegrowingdiffusion ofthenewinformation technologies may
contribute significantly tobridging thepresent gapwithin
theeducation systemsbetween so–called"technical "and"general"
education .Moregenerally thismaycontribute tothedevelopment
ofanintegrated approach aimedatensuring thesocialandvocational
preparation ofyoungpeople.
27•Itisgenerally agreedthataspecialeffortisrequiredinthefinal
periodofcompulsory education tohelpimprove .thetransition of
youngpeoplefromeducation intoadultandworkinglife.
TheseaspectswereexaminedatthemeetingoftheCouncilandoftheMinis-tars
ofEducation meetingwithintheCouncilonMay24,1982atwhich
Ministers stressed thefactthatthenewinformation technologies
shouldbeintegrated intoeducational systemswhilsttakinginto
accountthespecificobjectives ofeducation .Moreprecisely ,the
CouncilandtheMinisters ofEducation meetingwithintheCouncil
tooknoteoftheCommission 'sintention tosubmitareporttothe
Education Committee oaacerning theintroduction ofnewinformation
technologies inMemberStates'schoolsystemsaswellastakinginto
accountworkdonebytheOECDandtheCouncilofEurope.Furthermore ,
instressing theimportance ofathoroughdiscussion onthecrucial
issuesinthisarea,theyaskedtheEducation Committee tosubmita
reportduring198}.

CONCLUSION
28.TheCouncilisherebyinvited ,toadopttheproposals
setoutinthisCommunication andtotakenoteofthe
financial estimates submitted "bytheCommission ,
recognising thattheCommunity'sfinancing ofthemeasures
will "bedecidedinaccordance withCommunity "budgetary
rulesandprocedures©

'DRAFT COUNCIL RESOLUTION
J.
concerning measures ofvocational training relating tothe
introduction ofnew information technologies
THE COUNCIL OPTHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Having regard totheTreaty establishing theEuropean Economic Community ,and
inparticular Article 128thereof . .
1Having regard totheproposal from theCommission ,
2
"Raving regard totheopinion oftheEuropean Parliament ,' ' ■
Having regard totheopinion oftheEconomic andSocial Committee 3,
Whereas theCouncil adopted ,on11September 1979 ,aresolution regarding
aCommunity action promoting micro–electronic technology ^^inviting the
Commission topresent concrete projects inthearea ofindustrial policy
and ofthe continuous training oftechnicians and engineers :
'k
Whereas theCommission transmitted toftheEuropean Counci I,meetinq inDublin in
November 1919 ,aCommunication entitled "European Society faced with thechallenge
ofnewinformation technologies :aCommunity response "^^; whereas on
this basis theEuropean Council asked theCouncil tostudy acommon
strategy forthedevelopment ofthese technologies inBurope ^^;
Whereas inthecontext ofanoverall medium –term strategy ,economic recovery
largely depends oninnovation and itistherefore essential toreinforce
production investment atCommunity level ,including inthearea ofnew
(7)information technology :
(l)COM(8.2) Final of May1982
(2)
(3
(4)0JC 231 ,13September 1979
(5)COM(79 )658 ,26November 1979
(6)Bull .EC11-1979 ,joint 1.1.6
(7)COM(8l )344Final ,22July 1981

whereas xhenewtechnology has^nimpact onemployment andthere isa inthis
connexion toensure "that "both basic andcontinuing vocational training
systems take into account th-jpotential ofnewtechnologies insuch a
wayastosupply thelabour market with thenecessary skilled
manpower forthe future ;
Whereas itisimportant toensure asocially responsible approach tothe
control ofnewtechnology inasociety that isexperiencing radical and -
rapid economic ,social andtechnological change ;whereas inthis regard
aconcert cdapproach isdesirable between thesocial partners andpublic
authorities inrelation tothe introduction ofnew information technologies
into enterprises ;
Whereas account has been taken ofthe deliberations ofthe Standing
Committee onEmployment inNovember 1981 ?01i"thebasis ofaCommunication
from theCommission concerning new information technologies andtheir
social impact onemployment ,working conditions ,education andvocational
+ • (1)traimng
Whereas theSuropee.n Parliament initsResolutions of15and17September 1551
(2\onsocial policy y,and orthereper'cussionr ofenergy problems andtechnolo­
gical developments onthelevel ofemployment ^\called for"greater efforts
bytheCommunity topromote forms of'training which take account ofthe
iimicro –electronic revolution
HEREBY ADOPTS THIS RESOLUTION :
General guidelines
Action inthevocational training field ,shall beundertaken topromote the
progressive development ofacommon approach totheintroduction ofnewtech­
nology ,which issocially sensitive ardresponsible andatthesame time ful–
lyresponsive toeconomic a*d technical needs .This action shall bebase aon
thefollowing general guidelines :
..... ' • ./.
(1)COK^51)578Pinal ,12Oct .oerI98I andCCM(8l )578Final /2,26October I98I
(2)European Parliament PV37 tdoc*FE74*858 ,15September 1Q81
(3)European Pariiament PV32 ,doc»PS74-712 ,17Sepxember l^ïl .

-3-
(i)–theneed toensure a"broadly –"based ,approach totraining
•which provides for aoquisitien "bytheindividual
ofawide range ofspecific skills soastorealise his
orherfull potential ,faciLitates greater
vocational andprofessional mobility andcontributes
towards enabling workers toplay amore active role
intheir work ;
(ii)–thedevelopment ofprovisions fortraining inthis field
to "bedirected attheworking population asawhole ,
regardless ofsexorage,orprevious levels ofeducation ,
soastoavoid polarisation ofattitudes "between special -
lists andother workers andtheadult population generally ;
(iii)–theneed todevelop "balanced systems ofsocial and
vocational preparation andtraining designed tofami­
liarise young people andadults "both with ,applications
ofthe new technologies andwith their social consequences ;
(iv)–theneed totake account ofthespecific training needs
ofstaff inmanager /ialpositions inthecontext ofthe
training programmes to "bemade more generally available ;
(v)–theneed toencourage intensified collaboration between
public authorities andthesocial partners indesigning
training programmes inthis field andindrawing upon all
available resources tothis end ;
(vi)–theneed 'tolink measures inthis field with the
provisions for '"facilitating further education and
traininq ofworkers ;
(vii)–theintroduction ofspecial efforts toimprove the
employment prospects ofthose whoareunemployed
t
especially young people ,"byincorporating appropriate
units ofstudy regarding newtechnology intheir training
programmes ;and

(viii )–th<jpursuit ofcpecial efforts toimprove thequality
andLevel oftraining ofpersonnel responsible
for setting upprogrammes forthe social and .vocational
preparation ofadults inthis field .
II.Action "byKemper States
Inimplementing their policies inthefield ofvocational training ,
I.'em"ber States shall give priori^ -tothe following areas ofcommon :
concern : >
(i) –small and'medium –sized enterprises which seek tomodernise
their production processes "bytheapplication oifnewinfor­
mation /technology :their training needs andtheimplica­
tions for theplanning oftraining provisions onthe Tsasis
ofconsensus with allemployees ;
(ii) –large scale enterprises intheservices sector which are
committed totheprogressive introduction ofautomated
techniques ofadministration andmanagement (forinstance
in "banking andretailing sectors ):theimplications for
enterprise–based training personnel policies andthe scope
forpositive action towards employees whose skills "become
redundant :
/
C
(iii)–unqualified unemployed young people whohave little
aptitude for more traditional forms ofvocational
training :the scope forusing newinformation techno­
logies asalearning tool tofacilitate theacquisition
oftechnological and other vocational skills ;
(iv)–older skilled workers made redundant asaresult ofthe
restructuring oftraditional manufacturing industry :
the scope fortheadaptation andupdating ofexisting
skills toimprove the employment prospects ofthose in
areas ofindustrial decline ,especially areas dominated
"bythe steel industry ;

-5-
f
(v)–thedevelopment ofqualification ^inthefollowing sectors:
dataprocessing ,electronics andinformation technology ;
(vi)–publicawareness andunderstanding abouttheapplications
ofnewtechnology stheimplications fornon-vocational "
training andinformation activity ,especially involving .
thecontribution of"broadcasting authorities .
III.ActionatCommunity level
Inordertocomplement andsupportaction "byMemberStates
(i)–TheCommission isinvited,inliaisonwiththeMemberStates,
tosetupanetworkofdemonstration projects designed to
encourage thetransfer ofexperience andpromosing innovar-
tionsandthustoassistMemberStatesinthecontinuing
evaluation anddevelopment oftheirpolicies .This
network shallbeestablished inaccordance withthe
proposals setoutintheCommission 'sCommunication and
shalloperateforfiveyearsbeginning in1983*
(ii)-TheCommission isalsoinvitedtoensurethecontinuing
exchange ofideasandexperience drawnfromthenetwork
ofdemonstration ,projects aswellasfromtheother
initiatives takenbyMemberStatesinthepriorityfields
indicated underSectionIIabove.
l
(iii)-TheCommission isinvited,withinthecontextofitswork
regarding thedevelopment ofgreatercomparability of
qualifications ,toexaminetheevolution ofqualifications
inthefollowing sectors:dataprocessing ,electronics
andinformation technology .
•*•/•••

-6-
(ivj–TheCommission isinvitedtofosterthedevelopment of
education andinformation programmes foradults,incollabora­
tionwiththebroadcasting organisations ,to"makethepublic
morefamiliar withthepotential ofnewinformation
technologies andthustocontribute toawiderunderstanding
oftheirsignificance .
IV.TheCouncilwillexamineprogress andresultswithregardtothe
implementation ofthisResolution onthebasisofinformation and'
reportssubmitted bytheCommission .
V.Community financing forthemeasures tinderIIIaboveshallbeprovided
intheframework oftheprocedures andrulesgoverning theCommunity's
budget.AsregardsthemeasuresunderIII(i)above,theCommunity
financing required shallbeprovided withintheframework ofthe
European SocialFund#(iv)-

FINANCIAL DATA SHEET
1.The Community measures set outmthe communication tothe Council
should befully operational in1984-87 .Thepreparatory work which
will include finalising details ofthedemonstration projects and
establishing theproject networks will "becarried outin1983 .
2.Thefollowing figures concern thepreparatory year (1983 )andthe
first full year ofoperation (1984 ).Thetable shows thetrend in
annual overall costs for1984-87 .
!
A.1933 Preparatory Year
3.Expenditure during thepreparatory year canbecarried outunder the
twobroad budget headings ofArticle 633 (Community activities relating to
vocational training andguidance )andArticle 770 (Operations inthedata-process -
ingsector ).Kore specifically ,thepreparatory studies necessary for
thelaunching oftheprogramme canbefinanced most appropriately on
thebasis ofbudget item 7718 (Studies onnewinformation technologies )
whilst themeetings ofexperts ,theprovision oftechnical assistance
and the initial exchanges andvisits topossible project locations
should befinanced onthebasis ofnewly –created budget item 6331
(vocational training activities specifically related totheintroduction
ofnewtechnologies )which would clearly distinguish activity related
totheaction programme from other on–going vocational training activities .
Calculations mECU ■,
Studies 450 000
Meetings ofexperts 120000
Technical assistance « 50000
Initial visits andexchanges 95000
TOTAL 1983 " 715000ECU
•A

3.1Firstfullyeporcvfci&r.a«J yoas>of-theprefjramma
Expenditure during1934-37 ontheoperation ofthefourgroupsof
Î
demonstration projects couldfallunderChapters 60–62,following
theReviewoftheSocialFundin1932.Expenditure onactivities
relatedtotheprojects ,onthemutualrecognition ofqualifications
andonincreasing publicawareness andunderstanding shouldbecarried
outunderthenewbudgetitem6331(mentioned obove).
Calculât ionsmECU
I.Networkoffourgroupsofdemonstration projects
1.Contribution tooperating costsofdemonstration
projects uptoaceilingof100000ECUperyear -
foreachofthe30projects :100000x30= 3000000
2.Interprojectliaison ,i.e.twovisitsbytwo
peopleperyearforeachofthe30projects at
anaveragecostof1000ECUperpersonpervisit:
1000χ4Χ30= 120000
3.■Coordination andevaluation atCommunity level:
i.e.twoexperts (120000),infrastructure
(50000)andmissions (30000) 200000
»
4.Technical assistance 100000
TOTALJ. 3£20000ECU
II.Activities relatedtothedemonstration projects
1.Establishment andoperation ofadatabank
andassessment ofdatacollected : 120000
2.Programme ofvisitsforthoseinchargeof
themeasures and.thetwosidesofindustry : i
–15visitsbyfive–manteamsatanaverage
costof1000ECUpervisitperperson
(75000)
–fiveseminars atanaveragecostof
20000ECUperweek(100000) 175000
TOTALII 295000ECU

-3-
III .Activities related totherecognition ofqualifications :•
1.two studies at30000
2.twomeetings ofexperts at20000
TOTAL III 100 000 ECU
IV.Activities related topublic awareness andunderstanding :
»«
1.two studies at30000 '
ι
2.twomeetings ofexperts ,at20000
TOTAL IV. . • 100 000 ECU
GRAND TOTAL (i+II+III+IV)(I984 ) 3915000 ECU

TABLE :ASSESSMENT OFTHECOST OPTHE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMME
ί
1Β U D C Ε Τ
Community Measures
j ι.Preparation Operation Assessment
1983 1984 1985 1986 1937
1Preparatory work 1983
1·Studies '"j
1
'·Keetings andvisits \450000
265000I\
1
'I.Network ofdemonstration projects (1934-37 )
i
–operating costs
!-inter-project liaison
1-evaluation
: -technical assistance
; Sub-total I(Chapters 60–62)-3000000
120 000
200 000
100 000V- -
3300000
150000
380000
120 0003600000
200 000
410 000
140 000100 000
440 000
3420000 3950000 :'4350000 540000
ill.Activities related todemonstration projects
–data bank
–visits and seminars120 000
175ooo110 000
200 000120 000
200 000110 000
ι 1
HI .Activities related totherecognition of
qualifications100 000 70000 90000-
IV.Activities related topublic awareness 100 000 120 000 40000-
,.iubxotai II+III+IV(Budget item 6331 ) 495ooo 500000 450000 110 000
IOTAL
1715000 3915000 4450 000 '4'800000 ó50000

5-
3.Staff
Amemorandum settingoutadditional staffrequirements willbepre­
sentedtotheDirector –GeneralforPersonnel andAdministration .Mini­
mumrequirements forlaunching theprogramme would "bethoselisted
in1A,IBand1C.However,fortheimplementation oftheentirepro­
grammeadditional staffwould "berequired :1A,2Band1C–thatis
atotalof2A,3Band2Cformthethirdyearoftheprogramme (1985)*
4.SuDervision
Expenditure controlwillheexercised inthenormalframework of
Commission rules(DGXIX,Financial ControlandCourtofAuditors )•
Asregardsthetechnical aspects,progressreportswillhesubmitted
regularly totheStanding Committee onEmployment andtheAdvisory
Committee onVocational Training.
Theahovementioned Community measures willhefinancedintheframe­
workofCommunity "budgetary rulesandprocedures .
I