A4-0135/98

Proposal for a Council Decision on the promotion of European pathways for work-linked training, including apprenticeship ((COM(97)0572 - C4-0064/98 - 97/0321(SYN))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

3. Whereas the Florence European Council stressed the importance of apprenticeship for the creation of jobs, a sentiment echoed by the Commission in its communication 'Promoting apprenticeship in Europe';

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3.

Whereas the Florence European Council asked the Commission to examine the relationship between apprenticeship and employability and whereas this relationship was shown to be beneficial by the Commission in its communication 'Promoting apprenticeship in Europe';

(Amendment 2)

Recital 3a (new)

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3a. Whereas the Special European Council on employment in Luxembourg recognized the crucial role played by small and medium-sized undertakings in the creation of long-term employment;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 3b (new)

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3b. Whereas work-linked training in micro-undertakings and in the craft sector and especially apprenticeship are a successful instrument for integrating young people into the labour market because they enable young people to acquire the necessary skills to establish, in their turn, undertakings of this type or to help revive them;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 5

>Original text>

5. Whereas the Commission's White Paper 'Teaching and learning: towards the learning society' stresses the need for cooperation between schools and the business sector;

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5.

Whereas the Commission's White Paper 'Teaching and learning: towards the learning society' stresses the need for cooperation between schools and the business sector; whereas the '1998 employment guidelines' annexed to the Council Resolution of 15 December 1997(1) call on the Member States to improve the employment prospects of young people by equipping them with skills relevant to the labour market and whereas to this end the Council calls on the Member States to implement or develop apprenticeship training schemes;

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(1) OJ C 30, 28.1.1998, p. 1.

(Amendment 5)

Recital 7

>Original text>

7. Whereas individual transnational mobility aid for young people in work-linked training, including apprenticeship, provided for by Community programmes and initiatives, particularly the Leonardo da Vinci programme, should be complemented by specific resources assembled, in cooperation with Member States, to implement a system of mutual information and coordination for the implementation of 'European pathways';

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7.

Whereas individual transnational mobility aid for young people in work-linked training, including apprenticeship, provided for by Community programmes and initiatives, particularly the Leonardo da Vinci programme, should, bearing in mind the sharp disparities in the development of the various national work-linked training schemes, including apprenticeship, be complemented by specific resources assembled, in close cooperation with Member States and with the social partners at various levels, to implement a system of mutual information and coordination for the implementation of 'European pathways';

(Amendment 6)

Recital 7a (new)

>Original text>

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7a. Whereas, among the various types of vocational training available, greater emphasis should be given to apprenticeships in future education and vocational training programmes, taking steps in particular to promote transnational mobility for apprentices;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 7b (new)

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7b. Whereas in this context the EURES system could facilitate the finding and dissemination of information on work-linked training opportunities in another Member State;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 8

>Original text>

8. Whereas, in order to ensure quality training which can cater simultaneously for the requirements of individuals, large enterprises and SMEs, and society in general, it is important for work-linked training, including apprenticeship, to comply with common approaches, particularly with regard to teaching, organization and follow-up, and with regard to relations between the training establishment and the company; whereas in this connection, where Member States' systems envisage an element of mobility within a period of work-linked training, they should lay down appropriate measures so that those concerned can benefit from a common system of recognition for the completion of that period of training;

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8.

Whereas, in order to ensure, in the context of transnational mobility, quality training which can cater simultaneously for the requirements of individuals, industry, SMEs and the craft sector, and society in general, it is important for work-linked training, including apprenticeship, to comply with common procedures, within the framework of an established partnership with the host partner, particularly with regard to teaching, organization and coordination between the training establishment and the company; whereas in this connection, where Member States' systems allow for an element of mobility within a period of work-linked training in another Member State of the Union, they should lay down appropriate measures so that those concerned can benefit from a common system of recognition for the completion of that period of training;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 8a (new)

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8a. Whereas the trainee should be adequately prepared for a period of mobility, particularly in terms of knowledge of the health and safety risks and procedures of the workplace in which he/she is going to be trained and basic language training,a background knowledge of the host country, assistance with accommodation, accessibility of expenses and wages, so that they can enjoy the experience of training in full;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 8b (new)

>Original text>

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8b. Whereas, in the context of micro-undertakings and the craft sector, the role of the teaching mentor may be assumed by the master craftsman; whereas in this connection specific teaching measures are advisable to enable the mentor to perform his tasks;

(Amendment 11)

Recital 9

>Original text>

9. Whereas it is important to ensure the quality of such periods of transnational mobility and Member States have a particular responsibility in this area; whereas, moreover, in view of the Commission's Communication 'Incorporating equal opportunities for women and men into all Community policies and actions¨1, it is important to make sure that due account is taken of equal opportunities in the participation in 'European pathways¨ and appropriate measures must be taken to that end;

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9.

Whereas it is important to ensure the quality of such periods of transnational mobility and Member States have a particular responsibility in this area; whereas, moreover, in view of the Commission's Communication 'Incorporating equal opportunities for women and men into all Community policies and actions¨1, it is important to make sure that due account is taken of equal opportunities in the participation in 'European pathways¨ and appropriate measures must be taken to that end; whereas in this respect, equality of opportunity to participate should be irrespective of gender, race, religion or disability;

(Amendment 12)

Recital 10

>Original text>

10. Whereas the Commission, in cooperation with the relevant bodies in the Member States, has the task of ensuring overall consistency in the implementation of this Decision with Community programmes and initiatives in education and vocational training; whereas it is necessary to monitor the implementation of this Decision on a permanent basis;

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10.

Whereas the Commission, with the support of the competent bodies in the Member States, has the task of ensuring overall consistency and synergy in the implementation of this Decision with Community programmes and initiatives in education and vocational training; whereas the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and the social partners, must monitor the implementation of this Decision on a permanent basis;

(Amendment 13)

Recital 10a (new)

>Original text>

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10a. Whereas three years from the entry into force of this Decision an assessment should be made of its impact, together with a review of the experience gained in implementing the 'European pathways', to see whether corrective or support measures are needed;

(Amendment 14)

Recital 11a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

11a. Whereas this action forms part of the overall framework of programmes relating to the Europe of Knowledge;

(Amendment 15)

Article 1(1)

>Original text>

1. This Decision sets out the content and the common principles applying to the implementation of 'European pathways for work-linked training, including apprenticeship' ('European pathways').

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1.

This Decision sets out the content and the common principles applying to the implementation of 'European pathways for work-linked training, including apprenticeship' ('European pathways') and determines who is responsible for the various aspects of their implementation.

(Amendment 16)

Article 1(2a) (new)

>Original text>

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2a. Participation in the 'European pathways¨ and use of this certification shall be voluntary. The certification shall be used in connection with partnerships within the meaning of Article 3. This Decision shall not entail any other obligations and shall not establish any rights other than those set out below.

(Amendment 17)

Article 2(2)

>Original text>

2. person in work-linked training means any person in vocational training, irrespective of level and including higher education, leading to a diploma or a qualification recognized by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned, and involving structured periods of work-linked training in a training establishment and in a company as separate and complementary places of training whatever the person's status as regards work contract, apprenticeship contract, school or student status;

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2. person in work-linked training means any person of any age in vocational training, irrespective of level and including higher education, leading to a diploma or a qualification recognized by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned, and involving structured periods of work-linked training in a training establishment and in a company as separate and complementary places of training whatever the person's status as regards work contract, apprenticeship contract, school or student status;

(Amendment 18)

Article 2(3)

>Original text>

3. teaching mentor means any person in a company or a training establishment, who, for the purposes of work-linked training, has the task of assisting, informing, guiding and providing effective monitoring of people in training during their period in the company during the 'European pathway';

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3. teaching mentor means any person in a company or a training establishment, who, for the purposes of work-linked training, has the task of assisting, informing, guiding and providing effective monitoring of people in training during their period in the company during the 'European pathway'; for this purpose, the mentor shall act closely with the competent professional bodies taking part in the 'European Pathway';

(Amendment 19)

Article 2(4)

>Original text>

4. significant duration means a duration of work-linked training completed in another Member State and considered jointly by the parties concerned to contribute to the overall, high-quality, training pathway;

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4. significant duration means a duration of training completed in another Member State and considered jointly by the parties concerned to contribute to the overall, high-quality, training pathway; this period should not be less than three months in total;

(Amendment 20)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. Where Member States provide in their vocational training system for work-linked training including an element of mobility in another Member State, they shall adopt the necessary measures so that those persons in training concerned can benefit from 'European pathways'.

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1.

Where Member States allow in their vocational training system an element of mobility in another Member State in the context of work-linked training, they shall adopt the necessary measures so that those persons in training in another Member State can benefit from 'European pathways', in accordance with the applicable labour and social security standards..

(Amendment 21)

Article 3(2)

>Original text>

2. The 'European pathways' shall be an integral part of the training followed in the Member State of provenance.

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2.

The 'European pathways' shall be an integral part of the training followed in the Member State of provenance, and shall not be used as a means of job substitution in the Member State of provenance.

(Amendment 22)

Article 3(6)

>Original text>

6. The 'European pathways¨ shall be certified as such by the organization responsible for the training in the Member State of provenance in accordance with Article 4.

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6.

The Europass certification shall be issued by the organization responsible for the training in the Member State of provenance pursuant to the provisions of Article 4.

(Amendment 23)

Article 5

>Original text>

The Commission, in compliance with the procedures and resources of the Community programmes and initiatives in education and vocational training, shall ensure overall consistency between the implementation of this Decision and those programmes and initiatives.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission, in compliance with the procedures and resources of the Community programmes and initiatives in education and vocational training, shall ensure overall consistency

and synergy between the implementation of this Decision and those programmes and initiatives.

(Amendment 24)

Article 6(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the production, and appropriate diffusion and monitoring of the 'Europass-training' in close cooperation with the Member States. To this end, each Member State shall designate a body for coordination and implementation at national level in close cooperation with the social partners as well as representative organizations for work-linked training.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

The Commission shall coordinate the measures to supervise and evaluate the 'European pathways' implemented under this Decision and shall be responsible for the setting-up and appropriate diffusion and monitoring of the 'Europass-training' in close cooperation with the Member States. To this end, each Member State shall designate one or more bodies for coordination and implementation at national level in close cooperation with the social partners as well as representative organizations for work-linked training.

(Amendment 25)

Article 6(2)(b)

>Original text>

(b) facilitate equal opportunities, in particular by raising awareness of the mentors in that respect,

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(b)

facilitate equal opportunities, in particular by raising awareness of the mentors and training partners in that respect,

(ba) facilitate the provision to trainees of guidance regarding health and safety risks and procedures in the workplace.

(Amendment 26)

Article 6(3)

>Original text>

3. In close cooperation with the Member States, the Commission shall set up a mutual coordination and information system.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

In close cooperation with the Member States, the Commission shall set up a mutual coordination and information system in order to promote the implementation of the 'European pathways'. In particular, it shall encourage the dissemination of information on work-linked training opportunities in the Member States of the Union and the establishment of partnerships.

(Amendment 29)

Article 6(3a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

3a. The Commission shall also produce an annual qualitative analysis of vocational demand so that the national vocational training plans may be adjusted to actual market requirements and young people may thus have a greater chance, with sought-after qualifications, of finding employment in the European labour market.

(Amendment 27)

Article 6a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 6a

Evaluation

Within three years of the entry into force of this Decision the Commission shall submit to the Council and the European Parliament a report on its implementation, evaluate the impact of the Decision on the promotion of mobility in work-linked training, including apprenticeship, and propose any supplementary measures needed in order to make it more effective.

(Amendment 28)

Article 7

>Original text>

The resources needed to implement Article 6(1) and (3) shall be covered by the general budget of the European Union within its financial perspective.

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The resources needed to implement Article 6(1) and (3) shall be

granted by the budgetary authority within the annual budget procedure and within the financial perspective.

>Original text>

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The proportion of the Community contribution shall be no less than 50%.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the promotion of European pathways for work-linked training, including apprenticeship (COM(97)0572 - C4-0064/98 - 97/0321 (SYN))(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0572 - 97/0321 (SYN) ((OJ C 67, 3.3.1998, p. 7.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 189c and 127 of the EC Treaty (C4-0064/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media (A4-0135/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189c(a) of the EC Treaty;

4. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.