Proposal for a Council Decision on the promotion of European pathways for work-linked training, including apprenticeship
Date: 1997-11-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: apprenticeship, job creation, vocational education, vocational training, young worker

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  12.11.1997 
COM(97) 572  final 

97/0321 (SYN) 

Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 

on the promotion of European pathways for work-linked training, 
including apprenticeship 

(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

The  recent  Commission  Communication  on  the  development  of  apprenticeship  in 
Europe1,  prepared  following  the  request  of  the  Florence  European  Council 
(June 96)  showed  the  importance  of  apprenticeship,  and  more  generally  of 
work-linked  training, in strengthening the employability of young people in training. 
Cooperation  between  enterprises  and training  establishments/centres - which  is one 
of the objectives  stated  in Article  127 of the Treaty  - facilitates  a better  integration 
of young people into the labour market. 

The  Commission's  Communication  "Proposal  for  guidelines  for  Member  States 
Employment  Policies  1998"2,  anticipating  the application  of the procedures  set  out 
in  the  Amsterdam  Treaty  (Article  109Q)  has  also  brought  out  the  key  role  of 
apprenticeship  systems.  This  report  highlights  examples  of  good  practice  in 
work-linked  training  and  apprenticeship  systems  considering  their  effects  on  the 
integration of young people in the labour market. 

In  the  context  of  the  completion  of  the  single  market,  and  more  generally  that  of 
the construction  of  the  European  Union,  i.e.  a  frontier-free  area,  the  mobility 
of people  undergoing  training  becomes  an  increasingly 
important  dimension 
instrument  of  multi-cultural  and 
of European citizenship,  as  well  as  an 
social integration. 

The experience  acquired  from  Community programmes  and  initiatives,  in  particular 
the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  programme,  show  that  there  is  a  very  strong  demand  for 
transnational  placements  of  young  people  in  training  including  those  in  higher 
education  (over  100 000  young  people  have  benefited  from  support  of  this  kind 
1995-97).  The nature  of  such  placements  is very  varied  - ranging  from  placements 
aiming  simply  to  raise  awareness  to  longer  more  systematic  training  periods  in  a 
company  or training  centre in another  participating  country.  In  a great  many cases, 
however,  this  training  period  in  another  country  was  not  an  integral  part  of  the 
original  training:  often  it  represents  an addition  element  without  any real  impact  on 
the training followed  by the participant. 

The proposal for  a Council Decision presented  by the Commission fully  respects the 
spheres  of  competence  of  the  Member  States  with  regard  to  the  content  and 
organization  of  their  training  systems  and  structures.  It  is  voluntary  in  nature 
whenever such systems and  structures foresee  work-linked  training including one or 
several elements of mobility. It has the dual aim of: 

defining  the  content  and  common  underlying  principles  for  those  periods  of 
training  in  another  Member  State  (known  as  "European  pathways  for 
work-linked  training  and  apprenticeship"  or  "European  pathways")  in  the 
context  of  work-linked  training  and  whenever  those  periods  are  integrated 
into the training followed  in the original Member State. 

COM(97) 300  final. 
COM(97) 497  final. 

making  these  periods  of  training  more  transparent  and  more  visible  by 
means of  formal  recognition  ("EUROPASS-training")  of  which  the  content 
and  presentation  are  defined  at  Community  level  and  which,  for  the 
participants,  validate  the  training  and  or  work  experience  undertaken  in 
another Member State. 

6.  As  indicated  above,  the  "European  pathways" and the  "EUROPASS-training"  do 
not aim to modify either the organization or the content of Member States' systems 
or structures,  including the rules and arrangements in force  in each Member  State 
relating  to  the  procedures  and  practicalities  of  awarding  diplomas,  titles  and 
vocational  training certificates.  These "European pathways" are voluntary in nature 
and  are  not  only  reserved  for  those  benefiting  from  an  aid  for  mobility  under 
Community  programmes  and  initiatives  in  the  domain  of  training.  Initially  they 
require a partnership structure to be set up between the'organization responsible for 
training  in the  original  Member  State  and the  "Host  partner"  (enterprise,  training 
establishment  or centre)  in the  other  Member  State  -  partnership  defining  notably 
the  content,  the  objectives  in  terms  of  competences,  the  duration  as  well  as  the 
practicalities  of  monitoring  "European  pathways"  in  particular  to  ensure  that  the 
quality of the content is maintained. 

7. 

8. 

The  implementation  of  the  "European  pathways"  as  well  as  the  monitoring  and 
diffusion  of the "EUROPASS-training"  require overall  animation and  coordination 
at Community level,  in close cooperation with the Commission, Member States and 
the  Social  Partners  which  play  an  important  role  in  the  domain  of  vocational 
training. This is the reason why the proposal for a Decision foresees  accompanying 
and  facilitating  measures:  designation  for  each  Member  States  of  a  unit  for  the 
purposes of ensuring promotion,  diffusion  and qualitative  evaluation  of the  actions 
implemented  but  also  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  to  facilitate  equal 
opportunities  in accessing  the "European pathways".  For its part,  the  Commission 
will set up a mutual information and coordination system. 

The Council is invited to rapidly adopt this proposal  for a Decision.  The setting up 
of "European pathways" and of "EUROPASS-training" should, in turn, support the 
development  of  work-linked  training  and  apprenticeship  in Member  States  in the 
more  general  context  of  policies  implemented  to  support  growth,  competitiveness 
and employment. 

Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 

on the promotion of European pathways for work-linked training, 
including apprenticeship 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article  127 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission3, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee4, 

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in  Article  189c  of  the  Treaty  in 
cooperation with the European Parliament5, 

1.  Whereas  the  Treaty  gives  the  Community  the  task  of  implementing  a  vocational 
training  policy to  support  and  supplement  the  action  of Member  States  while  fully 
respecting  their  responsibility  in particular  by promoting  the  mobility  of  persons in 
training,  especially  young  people,  excluding  any  harmonization  of  the  laws  and 
regulations of the Member States; 

2.  Whereas  the  Council,  by  Decision  63/266/EEC6,  established  the  general  principles 
for  implementing  a  common  vocational  training  policy,  notably  by  the  second 
principle;  whereas  by  Decision  94/819/EC7,  it  adopted  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci 
programme for implementing a Community vocational training policy; 

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"*, 

that 

4.  Whereas  the  Council  Resolution  of  18  December  19799  on  work-linked  training 
the  development  of 
the  Member  States  should  encourage 
advocated 
effective  links  between  training  and  work  experience;  whereas  that  commitment  is 
reiterated  in  the  Council  Resolution  of  5 December  199410  on  the  quality  and 
attractiveness of vocational  education and training which  stresses the importance  of 
work-linked  training  and the need  to  step up periods  of vocational  training in other 

3  O J C . of 
4  O J C . of 
5  Opinion of the European Parliament  of .... 199  (OJ C), common position of the Council of 

1997, p. 
1997, p. 

199 

(OJ C) and Decision of the European Parliament of 

6  OJ63, 20.4.1963, p. 1338. 
OJL340, 29.12.1994, p. 8. 
COM(97) 300 final. 
OJC  1,3.1.1980.  p. 1. 
OJC374, 30.12.1994, p. 1. 

199  (OJ C). 

Member  States  and 
training programmes; 

to 

integrate 

those  periods 

into  national  vocational 

5.  Whereas  the  Commission's  White  Paper  "Teaching  and  learning:  towards  the 
learning  society"11  stresses  the  need  for  cooperation  between  schools  and  the 
business sector; 

6.  Whereas training  establishments  and the business sector  are complementary  forums 
for  the acquisition  of general,  technical  and  social  knowledge  and  skills; whereas in 
this  connection,  work-linked  training,  including  apprenticeship,  makes  a  significant 
contribution  to  more  effective  social  and  occupational  integration  of young  people 
in jobs  and  on  the  employment  market  and  can  bring  benefits  to  various  target 
publics  and  to  various  levels  of  teaching  and  training,  including  higher  education 
where students have a contract of paid employment; 

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 
implementation  of 
system  of  mutual 
"European pathways "; 

information  and  coordination  for 

the 

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; 

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"12,  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; 

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; 

1 '  COM(95) 590 final. 
12  COM(96) 67 final. 

11.  Whereas  in  accordance  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  and  the  principle  of 
proportionality  as  set  out  in  Article  3b  of  the  Treaty,  the  objectives  of  the  action 
envisaged  for  the  promotion  of  the  European  pathways  for  work-linked  training, 
including  apprenticeship,  cannot  be  sufficiently  implemented  by the Member  States 
in  so  far  as  such  promotion  and  the  setting  up  of  a  Community  information 
document  require  coordinated  action  at  Community  level  on  the  basis  of  common 
content  and  can therefore  best  be  implemented  at  Community  level  because  of the 
extreme diversity  of training  systems and  structures  in the Member States;  whereas 
this Decision is limited to the minimum requirements to achieve those objectives and 
does not go beyond what is necessary to that end, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 
Objectives 

1. 

2. 

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"). 

This Decision  establishes  certification  known  as "EUROPASS-training"  to  attest  at 
Community  level  to  the  period  or  periods  of  training  followed  by  a  person 
undergoing work-linked  training, including apprenticeship,  in a Member  State  other 
than that in which he or she is being trained. 

Article 2 
Definitions 

For  the  purposes  of  this  Decision,  and  taking  account  of  the  differences  which  exist 
between  the  systems and provisions  for  work-linked  training,  including apprenticeship,  in 
the Member States, the following  definitions  shall apply: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

"European  pathway" means any period  of vocational training pursued  by a person 
in  a  Member  State  (host  Member  State)  other  than  the  one  (Member  State 
of provenance)  where the person  is following  his or her work-linked  training  in the 
context of the said training; 

"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; 

"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"; 

4. 

5. 

6. 

"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; 

"EUROPASS-training"  means  a  document  establishing  that  the  holder  has 
completed one or more periods of work-linked  training, including apprenticeship, in 
another Member State under the conditions defined  in this Decision; 

"host  partner" is the  organization  responsible  for  the  "European  pathway"  in  the 
host Member State (enterprise, training establishment  or centre, etc.). 

Article 3 
Content and common  principles 

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". 

2. 

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

3.  A  partnership  between  the  organization  responsible  for  the  training  in  the 
Member State of provenance  and the host  partner  in the  other  Member  State  shall 
define  the  content,  the  objectives  in terms  of  competences,  the  duration  as well  as 
the practicalities of monitoring the "European pathways". 

4. 

5. 

6. 

The "European pathways"  shall be monitored  and  supervised  by a teaching  mentor 
in the host  partner,  account  being taken in this regard  of the capacity  of  SMEs and 
crafts to provide such monitoring. 

The "European pathways"  shall be of significant  duration. 

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. 

Article 4 
"EUROPASS-training" 

1.  A  record  of  achievement,  "EUROPASS-training",  shall  be  issued  to  all  persons 
completing  a  "European pathway".  It  shall  have  the  form  of  a  Community 
information  document,  the  contents  and  presentation  of  which  are  described  in 
the Annex. 

2. 

EUROP AS S-training  shall : 

(a) 

set  out  precisely  the  type  of  vocational  training  followed  within  which  the 
"European  pathway"  was  completed  as  well  as  the  final  qualification  or 
diploma according to the rules and arrangements in force  in the Member  State 
of provenance; 

(b) 

specify  that  the  said  "European pathway"  is  an  integral  part  of  the  training 
undertaken in the Member State of provenance; 

7 

(c) 

(d) 

show  the  content  of  the  "European pathway"  specifying  the  skills  acquired 
during the work experience or training; 

indicate  the  duration  of  the  "European  pathway"  organized  by  the  host 
partner during the work experience or training; 

(e) 

identify  the host partner; 

(f) 

indicate the qualifications  of the teaching mentor; 

(g)  be  issued  by the body  responsible  for  the vocational  training  followed  by the 
person  concerned  in the Member  State  of provenance;  it  shall  also  be  signed 
by that Member State, the host partner and by the person concerned. 

3. 

The  provisions  concerning  "EUROPASS-training"  shall  also  apply  when  the 
"European pathway"  includes a series of training periods in several Member States. 

Article 5 
Consistency and  complementarity 

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. 

Article 6 
Support and accompanying  measures 

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  implemention  at  national  level  in  close  cooperation  with  the 
social partners as well as representative organizations for work-linked training. 

2. 

Each  Member  State  shall  make the  necessary  arrangements  and  take  the  necessary 
measures to: 

(a) 

allow  quality 
actions implemented, 

control 

as  well  as  qualitative 

evaluation  of 

the 

and 

(b) 

facilitate  equal  opportunities,  in  particular  by  raising  the  awareness  of  the 
mentors in that  respect. 

3. 

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

Article 7 
Financing 

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. 

Article 8 
Applicability 

This Decision shall apply from 1  January 2000. 

Article 9 
Addressees 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

'EUROPASS-training" 

ANNEX 

Description  of the document 

The document  is in the form of a report book (format  A5). 
It consists of six sheets in addition to the cover sheet. 

On the front cover will appear: 

• 
• 

the term  "EUROPASS-training" 
the logo of the European  Community 

Inside front cover 

General description  of the "EUROPASS-training"  record  of achievement  (in the language 
of the holder). 

This  Community  information  document  known  as  "EUROPASS-training"  is  established 
of 
the 
in accordance  with  Decision 
"European pathways for  work-linked training and apprenticeship". 

implementation 

concerning 

98/..../CE 

Its  purpose  (in  accordance  with  Article  2  of  the  Decision)  is  to  stand  as  a  record  of 
achievement  during the period(s) of training completed  by a young person  in work-linked 
training  and/or  apprenticeship  in  a  Member  State  other  than  the  one  in  which  he/she  is 
undertaking his training; 

Page 1, side 1 

Particulars of the holder (in the holder's language). 
The different  headings will be given in the other  Community languages on the inside back 
cover page. 

Page 1, side 2 

European pathway J 
(language of the original  establishment) 

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 

vocational training followed  and qualification  of diploma to which it gives rise; 
this "European pathway"  is an integral part of the training  followed; 
content  of the "European pathway"  and  skills acquired  during the work  experience 
or training; 

(d)  duration of the "European pathway", 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 

details of the host partner (training centre and/or company); 
qualifications  of the teaching mentor; 
joint  signature  of  the  original  training  body,  the  host  partner  and  the  person 
concerned. 

10 

Page 2, side 1 

European pathway 1 
repeat of the details given on page  1, side 2, in the language of the host  partner. 

Page 2, side 2 

European pathway J 
repeat of the details given on page  1, side 2, in the language of the holder if different  from 
that used on page 1. 

Pages 3, sides 1 and 2, page 4, side 1 

European pathway  2 (if appropriate). 

Page 4, side 2, page 5, sides  1 and 2 

European pathway  3 (if appropriate). 

11 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

T I T LE  OF  A C T I ON 

Promotion of European pathways for work-linked training and apprenticeship 

2. 

BUDGET LINE 

B3-1020  Social  dialogue  action  and  and  preparatory  measures  to  strengthen 
cooperation in the field of vocational training. 

3. 

LEGAL BASE 

Article 127 of the Treaty 
Council Decision No 98/... ./EEC of 

4. 

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION 

4.1.  General objective 

The action proposed by the Parliament  and the Council Decision  aims to promote 
European pathways for work-linked training and apprenticeship (hereinafter  referred 
to  as  "European  pathways")  and to  grant  a  documented record  of  achievement 
("EUROPASS") to the participants of these "European pathways". 

4.2.  Period covered and arrangements for renewal or extension 

Ongoing operation to be launched on 1  January 1999. 

5. 

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 

5.1  DNO 

52  CD 

6.  TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 

The expenditure comprises: 

those subventions for the co-financing  with other private and public sector sources 
(subventions  of the Resource  Centres  designated  by the  Member  States  for the 
production  and diffusion  of EUROPASS, subventions for organizing  events in the 
Member  States  and at the Community  level in support  of the  action.  The rate of 
Community  subventions  can be up  to  50%.  100% subventions  for  Studies and 
experts' work contributing to the development of a common approach,  particularly 
with regard to evaluation and for the design of the attestation of EUROPASS. 

12 

7. 

F I N A N C I AL  I M P A CT 

7.1.  Method of calculating total cost of operation (definition of unit costs) 

The following parameters will be used: 

* 

* 

* 

* 

cost of designing the "EUROPASS": ECU 100 000; 

cost  of  producing  the  "EUROPASS"  in  the  Member  States,  i.e.  100 000 
copies at a unit cost of ECU 3  = ECU 300 000 (for a full year); 

cost of supporting the organization of networks and the dissemination  of the 
"European  pathways"  and  the  EUROPASS  at  the  cost  of  ECU 30 000 
per Member State = ECU 450 000; 

cost  of  actions  (notably  conferences)  for  support  and  awareness-raising 
and evaluation  at  ECU  20 000  per  Member  State  (=ECU  300 000)  plus 
two Community-level  conferences  (=ECU  50 000  x  2)  making  a  total  of 
ECU 400 000; 

* 

cost of experts' studies and work: ECU 100 000. 

Thus, in a full  year the cost is estimated  at ECU  1.250  million for  establishing the 
certification  of  EUROPASS  for  the  first  year  (1999).  On  the  other  hand  a 
substantial increase in the numbers of EUROPASS required is anticipated in the  first 
two years (100 000 in 1999 and 200 000 in 2000). 

7.2.  Itemized breakdown of cost 

EC in ECU million (at current prices) 

Breakdown 

Budget 
year 
1999 

-  Document design 

0.100 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2005 and 
subsequent 
years 

0.100 

0.200 

0.300 

0.300 

0.300 

0.300 

Total 

0.100 

1.500 

-  Production and 
distribution 

-  Support  for 
setting up 
networks and for 
distribution 

-  Conferences  to 
raise awareness 

0.450 

0.450 

0.450 

0.450 

0.450 

0.450 

2.700 

0.400 

0.400 

0.400 

0.400 

0.400 

0.400 

2.400 

-  Experts' work 

0.100 

0.100 

0.100 

0.100 

0.100 

0.100 

0.600 

Total 

1.150 

1.150 

1.250 

1.250 

1.250 

1.250 

7.300 

13 

7.3.  Operational  expenditure  on  studies,  experts,  etc.  included  in  part  B  of 

the budget 

EC in ECU million (at current prices) 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

-  Studies 

0.050 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

2004 and 
subsequent 
years 
0.000 

Total 

0.050 

-  Experts' meetings 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.300 

-  Conference and congress 

0.100 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.350 

- 

Information  and 
publications 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.050 

0.300 

Total 

0.250 

0.150 

0.150 

0.150 

0.150 

0.150 

1.000 

7.4.  Indicative schedule of appropriations 

EC in ECU million (at current prices) 

1900 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

Total 

2004  and 
subsequent 
years 

1.150 

1.150 

1.250 

1.250 

1.250 

1.250 

7.300 

0.900 

0.250 

0.800 

0.270 

0.960 

0.290 

0.960 

0.290 

0.960 

0.900 

1.130 

1.230 

1.250 

1.250 

0.290 

1.250 

1.540 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment  appropriations 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2004 

and subsequent years 

Total 

1.150 

1.150 

1.250 

1.250 

1.250 

1.250 

7.300 

14 

8.  FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES 

legal  commitments  concluded  between 

All  contracts,  agreements  and 
the 
Commission  and  the  beneficiaries  of  payments  allow  for  checks  in  situ  by  the 
Commission and the Court  of Auditors. Moreover, the recipients of aid in respect  of 
actions are obliged to  submit financial  reports and accounts which are analysed both 
from  the  point  of  view  of  contents  and  from  the  point  of  view  of  eligibility  of 
expenditure  in  accordance  with  the  objective  of  Community  financing  and  taking 
due account  of the contractual  obligations and efficient financial management. 

9. 

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS 

9.1.  Specific  and quantified  objectives; target  population 

The aim of the decision  is to  promote  European  pathways  for  work-linked  training 
and  apprenticeship,  referred  to  as  "European  pathways",  and  to  provide  the 
recipients  of  these  "European  pathways"  a  document  or  a  record  of  achievement 
known as "EUROPASS". In addition the following  objectives are also envisaged: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Establish  the  general  and  common  principles  of  quality  in  respect  of  the 
implementation  of  the  European  pathways  for  work-linked  training  and 
apprenticeship (the "European pathways"). 

Set  up  (design,  produce  and  disseminate)  a  European  attestation  (known  as 
"EUROPASS") for the beneficiaries  of such "European pathways". 

Set up a system of information  and coordination  in close conjunction  with the 
national authorities and the social partners. 

4.  Make 

the  different  players 

training  and 
involved 
apprenticeship, aware of the organization  of the "European  pathways", taking 
care to  ensure the widest  possible dissemination  of the  results,  particularly  as 
regards the "EUROPASS". 

in  work-linked 

5. 

Bring  about  profitable  exchanges  between  the  different  players  involved  in 
work-linked  training and apprenticeship,  on the best  way of implementing  the 
Community arrangements. 

Experience with action programmes  such as Leonardo  da Vinci and  Socrates would 
suggest  that  in a full  year  some  100 000 young  people will  become  involved  every 
year in these "European pathways". 

The target  population  of  the  action  includes  on  a voluntary  basis  all  young  people 
following  work-linked  training,  particularly  through  apprenticeship,  i.e. a  type  of 
training  which,  as  described  in  Article  2(a)  of  the  Decision,  features  "vocational 
training  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  including universities  and  in  a 
company as separate and complementary places of training". 

15 

for 

the  mobility  of  young  people  undertaking 

While  direct  aid 
these 
"European pathways"  will  come  from  existing  Community  programmes  and 
initiatives (particularly the Leonardo  da Vinci programme)  as far  as resources allow 
and  in  accordance  with  the  specific  procedures  of  these  programmes,  this  action 
needs  to  be  bolstered  by  the  setting  up  of  a  network  of  mutual  information  and 
coordination. 

It  should  be  noted  however  that  the  general  and  common  principles  for  the 
"European  pathways" for  work-linked  training  and  apprenticeship  specified  by this 
decision  does  not  limit  itself,  only  to  the  pathways  used  by  those  benefiting  from 
community aid on mobility in vocational training, this also covers the young mobile 
relevant  to  the  other  initiatives  notably  bilateral  examples  such  as  the  recent 
agreement between France and Germany. 

9.2.  Grounds for the operation 

stemming 

from 
notably 

the  current  decision  of  Parliament 
of 
in 

and 
The  actions 
the  Council  resulting 
the 
the 
Leonardo da Vinci  Programme  (COM(97)  399 final) which  were  produced  by  the 
Commission  based  on  the  reports  of  all  Member  States  which  emphasised  the 
necessity for the reinforcement  for transnational mobility underlined also that the full 
impact  of such mobility on training  and work-linked  training required  the fuller  and 
greater  integration  of the periods  of training  undertaken  in other  Member  States in 
the initial training period. 

intermediate 

evaluation 

The  actions  will  support  the  implementation  of  a  policy  for  vocational  training  at 
Community level within the meaning of Article  127 of the Treaty. While respecting 
the  specific  competences  of the  Member  States  with  regard  to  the  organization  of 
vocational training, the Community action intends: 

* 

* 

to  establish  a  reference  framework  for  certain  common  and  general  quality 
principles for the implementation of the "European pathways", and, 

to enhance the transparency and internal consistency of the actions undertaken 
by  and  among  the  players  involved  in  vocational  training  at  all  levels  by 
introducing a document  called "EUROPASS". 

These  two  lines  of  action  respect  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  as  required  by 
the Treaty. 

Actions undertaken -  often  on a bilateral basis -  by the Member  States on their own 
initiative, and transnational  exchange and placement  programmes undertaken as part 
of  the  Community  programmes  and  initiatives  (particularly  Strands  I  and  II  of 
Leonardo  da  Vinci)  delineate  a  general  framework  within  which  the  "European 
pathways"  will  be  implemented  at  the  Community  level  in  accordance  with  the 
general and common quality principles and for  which the "EUROPASS"  documents 
will be produced.  In other words, the provisions of the decision proposed  boost  the 
impact of similar actions but do not entail any duplication. 

The  introduction  of  "European  pathways"  within  the  quality  conditions  defined  in 
the  decision  and  of  the  "EUROPASS"  will  not  only  strengthen  the  dimension  of 
work-linked  training  in  Community  placement  and  exchange  programmes,  but  will 

16 

also help to boost the development  of work-linked  training and apprenticeship  in the 
Member  States by introducing therein a European dimension. 

The  operation  proposed  is in  line with  the  expectations  of the  Member  States  and 
follows on from the declarations of several European Council meetings stressing the 
importance of apprenticeship for employment and of investment in human resources. 

- 

Choice of ways and  means 

While  the  cost  of  designing  the  "EUROPASS"  document  will  be  borne 
entirely  by  the  Commission  (using  a  procedure  which  involves  a  call  for 
tenders),  the  other  actions  needed  for  implementing  the  decision  will  be 
covered  by  subsidies  which  imply  co-financing  by  the  operators  concerned. 
This  naturally  applies  to  the  conferences  to  launch  the  venture  and  raise 
awareness  -  except  for  the  two  Community  level  conferences  which  will  be 
entirely funded  by the Commission. It also concerns support for the setting up 
of a network  of information  and  coordination,  the  experts'  studies  and  work 
envisaged  to  accompany  the  introduction  of  the  arrangement  paid  for  by the 
Commission  in  full  respect  of  the  rules  governing  contracts  for  studies  and 
work by consultants. 

9.3.  Monitoring and evaluation of the operation 

In  accordance  with  Article  7  of  the  decision,  the  Commission  will  ensure  the 
monitoring  and  implementation  of the  decision  and  will  carry  out  an  evaluation  of 
progress achieved.  It will therefore  take the action needed  for  this, particularly with 
a view to the evaluation report which has to be submitted. 

Performance and impact indicators 

Several general and specific  indicators will be taken into account  for  assessing 
the implementation of the decision: 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

number  of "European  pathways"  and  "EUROPASS"  documents  issued 
(in absolute and relative value in relation to the number of young people 
undergoing work-linked training and  apprenticeship) 

level of education and training of the recipients 

sectors covered 

failure rate of the actions undertaken 

average duration of the "European pathways" 

transnational  flows  of  beneficiaries  of  "European  pathways"  (by 
Member  State and across Member States), etc. 

17 

Details and frequency of planned evaluations 

Article  7  of  the  decision  stipulates  that  a  preliminary  evaluation  report  on 
progress will be prepared  for  the first time three years after  the  adoption of 
this decision and every three years thereafter. 

10.  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENDITURE 

(PART  A, 

SECTION  m  OF  THE 

GENERAL BUDGET) 

This section of the financial statement must be sent to DGs IX and XIX; DG IX will 
then forward it to DG XIX with its opinion. 

Actual  assembly  of  the  administrative  resources  needed  will  stem  from  the 
Commission's  annual  decision  on the  allocation  of resources,  taking  into  account 
inter alia the additional  staff  and amounts which will have been agreed  to  by the 
budgetary authority. 

10.1.  Impact on the number of staff 

Type of post 

to be allocated to  managing 
the  operation 

permanent 
posts 

temporary 

posts 

of which 

duration 

using 
additional 
resources 

using 
existing 
resources 
within 
DG  or 
department 
concerned 

the 
the 

A 
B 
C 

Officials 
or  temporary 
agents 
Other  resources 
Total 

1 
1 

2 

-

1 
1 

2 

For the additional resources give indicative schedule of requirements. 

18 

10.2.  Overall financial  impact of additional  human  resources 

Amounts 

Method of calculation 

(in ECU) 

Officials 
Temporary agents 
Other resources (specify 
budget heading) 

Total 

1 

1 

The amounts must express the total cost of additional posts for  the total duration of 
the operation  if  the latter has  a  fixed  time scale, for  12 months  if  the duration  is 
not fixed 

10.3.  Increase in other operational expenditure arising from the operation 

(in ECU) 

Budget heading 
(Number and description) 
A  2500  meetings  and 

general conferences 

Amounts 

Method of calculation 

62 550 

3  annual  meetings  of  the  national 
experts  and 
social  partners 
group,  i.e.  30  experts  at  ECU 
695  =  695x30  experts  x3 
meetings = ECU 62 550 

Total 

62 550 

77K? amounts  must correspond  to the total expenditure for  the operation  if  it  is of 
fixed  duration or the expenditure for  12 months if the duration is not fixed. 

19 

IMPACT STATEMENT FOR  SMEs 

Impact  of the proposal  on the business environment  with particular  effect  on small and 
medium sized enterprises (SMEs) 

Title of the Proposal 
PARLIAMENT  AND  COUNCIL  DECISION  TO  PROMOTE  EUROPEAN 
PATHWAYS  FOR  WORK-LINKED  TRAINING  AND  APPRENTICESHIP 
("European  apprenticeship  status") 

Reference  number of the document:  XXXX 

The Proposal 

1.  Taking  account  of  the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  why  is  Community  legislation 

necessary in this domain and what  are its principal  objectives? 

The  proposal  is  presented  in  the  framework  of  the  general  guidelines  of  the 
Commission's  White  Paper  "Teaching  and  Learning  -  towards  the  learning  society" 
(COM  596)  462 final) which  underlined  the  necessity  of  strengthening  investment  in 
qualifications  and  competences  and  the  strategic  nature of work-linked  training in this 
perspective. 

It  is also  presented  in the  perspective  of  the  Green  Paper  "Obstacles  to  transnational 
mobility of persons in training" (COM (96) 462 final) 

Work which the Commission is taking forward,  and notably the recent  Communication 
on the development  of apprenticeship  in Europe (COM (97) 300 final) show that  there 
is interest in work-linked  training  (including  apprenticeship)  as a way of improving the 
integration of young people into working life. 

The  proposal  aims  to  promote  European  pathways  for  work-linked  training  and 
apprenticeship. 

The  approach  proposed  by  the  Commission,  without 
in  with  the 
responsibilities  of  Member  States,  concerns  the  content  and  organisation  of  their 
education and training systems and aims to: 

interfering 

• 

identify  and define  general  and  common  principles of quality which  should  apply  to 
periods  of  training  undertaken  in  another  Member  State  ("European  Pathways") 
which support  and enrich the training followed  in the original Member State, 

•  ensure that  the "European  Pathways" form  an integral  part  of the training  followed 
in the  original  Member  State  and  that  they  meet  general  and  common  principles  of 
quality  and  that  their  completion  is  recognised  in  such  as  way  as  to  allow  better 
transparency  and greater visibility, 

•  organise  for  the  setting  up  of  the  these  "European  Pathways"  the  required  co 
ordination  and  promotion  measures  at  Community  level  in close  co-operation  with 
Member  States including the social partners at different  levels whose  responsibilities 
in this area are recognised. 

20 

Its  operational  content  corresponds  to  the  provisions  of  article  127 of the  Treaty  and 
to the powers to act which these confer  on the Commission. 

2.  Who will be affected  bv the proposal? 

The  Decision  does  not  inlcude  any  discriminatory  measures  for  different  sectors  or 
sizes of enterprises. 

The size of the enterprise not being a criterion, the Decision is as relevant to  small and 
medium  sized  enterprises  (SMEs)  as  it  is  to  large  companies;  but  it  can  be  assumed 
that the number of SMEs concerned will be quite high as they have a particularly active 
role in work-linked training and apprenticeship. 

The  spread  of  training  activities  over  a  wide  range  of  economic  sectors  is  in  fact 
dependent  on SMEs, whose role is extremely important  in the area of job  creation and 
whose  involvement  is of  fundamental  importance  to  the  future  of  apprenticeship.  In 
Germany for example, more than half of those undertaking  an apprenticeship are  found 
in enterprises employing less than 50 persons. 

3.  What measures should enterprises take in order to conform to the proposal? 
The  proposal  foresees  that  the  setting  up  of  this  system  is  based  on  the  close  co 
operation  between  the  original  organisations  where training takes  places  and  the  host 
organisations.  Amongst  the  latter,  enterprises  and  notably  SMEs  will  represent  a 
significant  proposition. 

The basic precondition  is that the "European pathways" are integrated  into the training 
followed  by the young beneficiaries  - the practicalities of the integration is a matter  for 
Member  States.  This  system  will  be  based  on  a  set  of  defined  and  common  criteria. 
Enterprises  should  therefore  make  sure  that  the  general  and  common  principles  of 
quality,  in  terms  of  the  content  and  objectives  as  well  as  the  practicalities  of 
to  pedagogical  follow-up  and  evaluation 
implementation  (notably  with  regard 
procedures) are respected. 

4.  What  economic effects  is the proposal likely to have? 

(a) On employment 

Apprenticeship  improves employment  prospects; unemployment  tends to be lower than 
average  in  young  people  who  have  successfully  completed  an  apprenticeship.  For 
example,  in  the  Irish  apprenticeship  system,  rates  of  placement  of  95  to  100%  have 
been  recorded.  The  importance  of  work  experience  in  an  enterprise  has  been 
confirmed  in the new German Lander.  It has been  shown that  directly after  the end of 
training  three  quarters  of  apprentices  who  have  been  trained  within  an  enterprise  go 
into a job whereas only  19% were unemployed. 

The  promotion  of  European  pathways  should  allow  young  people  to  gain  a  wider 
range  of  skills in the  context  of different  working  environments  at  all levels.  As most 
enterprises  are  looking  for  adaptable  workers,  transnational  experience  as  recognised 
by  the  "European  Pathways"  will  present  an  additional  enhancemetn  of  the  young 
peron's experience in this perspective. 

21 

Opportunities for finding work should be significantly  strengthened by this. 

(b) On investment  and creating new enterprises 

One  of  the  objectives  sought  is the  transformation  of  enterprises  and  the  creation  of 
new  enterprises.  Apprenticeship  has  always  been  a  particularly  effective  way  of 
transforming  enterprises,  notably  in  the  craft  industry. 
Its  significance  should  be 
underlined  because  the  time  at  which  an  enterprise  is  transformed  is  also  a  time  of 
detailed  analysis  of  their  chances  of  survival.  With  the  extension  of  work-linked 
training  to  higher  levels  of  qualification  together  with  the  recognition  of  training 
experience  in  different  social  and  economic  contexts,  efforts  are  being  made  to 
progress  beyond  the  level  of  the  craft  industry  to  include  SMEs.  The  training  of 
production  engineers  by  means  of  apprenticeship  is being  taken  forward  with  this in 
mind. 

(c) The Competitiveness of enterprises 

The  competitiveness  of  enterprises  comes  as  much  from  the  level  of  competence  of 
their  workers  as from the  ways  in  which  their  work  is  organised.  The  discovery  of 
different  systems for  working  and the  capacity to  work  in multi-cultural  milieu  should 
develop  the  all-round  level  of  expertise  of  amongst  that  part  of  the workforce  which 
has benefited from periods of training in enterprises in other Member States. 

5.  Does the proposal contain any measures which aim to take into account the  specific 
situation of small and medium sized enterprises (special conditions etc...)? 

The proposal does not discriminate according to the size of enterprises and so does not 
contain  any  specific  measures  for  SMEs.  However,  as  a  number  of  SMEs 
accommodate  young  people  in  the  context  of  work-linked  training  and  notably 
apprenticeship,  it is appropriate to give particular  attention to the case of SMEs in the 
follow-up  process  in  view  of  the  reports  planned  to  examine  the  effects  of  specific 
measures. 

Consultation 

6.  List  of  organisations  which  have  been  consulted  on the  proposal  and  summary  of 
their main points of view 

The  Advisory  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  (ACVT)  a  statutory  tripartite  body 
created  by a Council Decision  was formally  consulted  (29 October  1997).  Apart  from 
this the  initiative which  is the  subject  of this  proposal  was  considered  by the  informal 
group of Directors General of Vocational Training and that  of the Directors General of 
Employment  (20-21 October  1997). 

22 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 572  final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

04  15  16 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-97-624-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-27660-X 

Office  for  Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

L-2985  Luxembourg 

23