Amended proposal for a Council Decision on the promotion of European pathways for work-linked training, including apprenticeship
Date: 1998-05-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, apprenticeship, educational planning, employment policy, vocational training

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

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Brussels, 29.05.1998 
COM(1998) 342  final 

97/321(SYN) 

Amended proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

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

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1.  The proposal  for  a decision to promote European pathways  for work-linked  training 

and apprenticeship has a twofold  objective: 

• 

to  define  the  content  and  the  common  principles  for  periods  of  training 
undertaken in another Member State (called  'European pathways for  work-linked 
training,  including  apprenticeship *) as  part  of  work-linked  training  when  these 
periods are an integral part of the training followed  in the original Member State; 

•  enhance  the transparency  and  profile  of  these  periods  of training  by  means  of  a 
document  known  as  EUROPASS-Training  whose  content  and  presentation  are 
defined  at the Community  level and which will attest to the training and/or work 
experience obtained by the beneficiaries  in another Member State. 

2.  The proposal  for  a decision was adopted by the Commission  on  12 November  1997 
and  was  forwarded  to  the  Council,  the  European  Parliament,  the  Economic  and 
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on 9 January  1998. 

3.  The Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion on 29 April  1998 and the 

Committee of the Regions on  12 March 1998. 

4.  Four  European  Parliament  Committees  - 

the  Committee  on  Culture,  Youth, 
Education  and  the  Media;  the  Committee  on  Budgets;  the  Committee  on 
Employment  and  Social  Affairs;  and  the  Committee  on  Economic  and  Monetary 
Affairs  and  Industrial  Policy  -  produced  an  opinion  with  the  Committee  on 
Employment  and Social Affairs  acting as the committee responsible. The opinion of 
the European Parliament was delivered on 30 April 1998. 

5.  The  European  Parliament  has  proposed  29  amendments,  26  of  which  can  be 
accepted  by the Commission  and these bring  an improvement  to the proposal  for  a 
decision: 

• 

the  amendments  seeking  to highlight  the role  of the  SMEs  and  craft  industry  in 
the  development  of  work-linked  training  and  apprenticeship  in  Europe  -the 
specific  features  of these companies mean they have different  requirements- and 
also the role of the social partners and other partners in apprenticeship; 

•  amendments  seeking to guarantee  a good  flow  of information  and more  effective 
support  for  the European pathways  as  they  develop, particularly  with  regard  to 
health, safety  at work, languages, to name but a few considerations; 

amendments  stressing  the  voluntary  nature  of  the  implementation  of  the 
European  pathways;  the  Commission  is  aware  of  the  diversity  of  policies, 
systems  and  approaches  on  work-linked  training  which  exist  in  the  Member 
States and this proposal for a decision in no way seeks to alter the organisation  or 
the contents of Member States' systems and arrangements with regard to training. 
These European pathways are voluntary  and are not restricted  to those  benefiting 
from a mobility  grant under Community  education  and training programmes  and 
initiatives. 

4, 

6.  By contrast, two amendments cannot be accepted, nor can part of a third: 

•  The amendment seeking to establish a minimum duration ("...this period  should 
not  be  less  than three  months in  totaF') may  generate  problems  for  achieving 
European pathways (amendment  19 to Article 2, point 4). 

The European pathways  cannot be restricted  to  study visits  and/or a cultural  visit. 
We have to be sure that these are really good quality training periods. This is why 
the Commission is proposing that the duration be significant and be strictly linked to 
the objectives of the European pathway and the skills to be acquired, all matters to 
be specified before embarking on the European pathway and as part of a partnership 
established  between  the  original  partner,  the host  partner and the beneficiary.  The 
diversity of systems from one Member State to another, the specific  characteristics 
of  branches  and the  very  marked  differences  between  durations  which  have  been 
suggested  to  us  during  discussions  in  the  European  institutions  show  that 
establishing  a  minimum  duration  could  prove  a  problem  and  even  introduce  an 
element of inflexibility with regard to the achievement of the European pathways. 

•  The amendment proposing  that "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" cannot  be  accepted  either  because  it  calls  into 
question  the principle  of  subsidiarity.  Moreover,  a number  of  countries  do  not 
have a "national training plan" (amendment 29 to Article 6(3)(a)). 

•  Lastly,  amendment  28  can be  accepted  only  in part.  The  addition  made by  the 
European Parliament to the text of the proposal for a decision and which specifies 
that "The proportion  of the Community contribution shall be no less than  50%" 
runs  counter  to  the  guidelines  set  out  in  the  Commission  proposal  on  the 
implementation of the instrument (Article 7). 

Amended Proposal for a Council Decision on the promotion of European pathways for  work-linked training, including  apprenticeship 

COM (97) 572  final 

Amended proposal 

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 Commission 1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article  189c of the 

Treaty in cooperation with the European Parliament-*, 

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 Commission1, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee  , 
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article  189c of the 
Treaty in cooperation with the European Parliament 

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; 

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/EEC^, established the general 

principles for implementing a common vocational training policy, notably 

by the second principle; whereas by Decision 94/819/EC^, it adopted the 
Leonardo da Vinci programme  for implementing a Community  vocational 
training policy; 

2.  Whereas the Council, by Decision 63/266/EEC  , established the general 

principles for implementing a common vocational training policy, notably 
by the second principle; whereas by Decision 94/819/EC5, it adopted the 
Leonardo da Vinci programme for implementing a Community  vocational 
training policy; 

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 

3.  Whereas the Florence European Council asked the Commission  to 

examine the relationship between apprenticeship and emplovability and 
whereas this relationship was shown to be beneficial by the Commission in 

1997, p. 
1997, p. 

OJC...of 
O J C . of 
Opinion of the European Parliament of. 
C). 
OJ 63, 20.4.1963, p. 1338. 
OJL 340,29.12.1994, p. 8. 

.1997 (OJ C), common position of the Council of 

1997 (OJ C) and Decision of the European Parliament of 

1997 (OJ 

Europe"®; 

its communication "Promoting  apprenticeship  in Europe »6. 

4.  Whereas  the  Special  European  Council  on  employment  in  Luxembourg 
recognised the crucial role played by small and medium-sized  undertakings 
in the creation of long-term  employment: 

5.  Whereas work-linked training in micro undertakings and in the craft  sector 
and  especially  apprenticeship  are  successful  instruments  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; 
Whereas the Council Resolution of  18 December  1979  on work-linked 
training advocated that the Member States should encourage the 
development of effective'links between training and work experience; 
whereas that commitment is reiterated in the Council Resolution of 

o 

5 December  1994  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 
Member States and to integrate those periods into national  vocational 
training programmes; 

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  199710 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 to develop 

Whereas the Council Resolution of  18 December  1979^ on work-linked 
training advocated that the Member States should encourage the 
development of effective  links between training and work experience; 
whereas that commitment is reiterated in the Council Resolution of 

5 December  1994** 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 
Member States and to integrate those periods into national vocational 
training programmes; 

*^ 

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; 

6  COM(97) 300  final. 
7  OJC 1,3.1.1980, p. 1. 
8  OJ C 374, 30.12.1994, p. 1. 
9  COM(95) 590 final. 
10 

O JL  JO,  28.01.1998,1V I 

apprenticeship training schemes; 

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; 

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; 

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  "; 

^ 

initiatives,  particularly 

Whereas  individual  transnational  mobility  aid  for  young  people  in  work-
linked  training,  including  apprenticeship,  provided  for  by  Community 
the  Leonardo  da  Vinci 
programmes  and 
programme,  should,  bearing 
the 
training  schemes 
development  of  the  various  national  work-linked 
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  "; 

the  sharp  disparities 

in  mind 

in 

10. 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: 

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

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-upr  and with 

12.  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 

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; 

the host partner, particularly with regard to teaching, organization and co 
ordination, and with regard to relations 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 Community, 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; 

J 

13.Whereas  the  trainee  should  be  adequately  prepared  for  a  period  of 
mobility, particularly  in  term  of  knowledge  of the  health  and  safety  risks 
and procedures of the workplace in which he/she is going to be trained and 
the  host  country,  assistance  with 
basic 
accommodation, accessibility of expenses and wages so that thev can  enjov 
the experience of training in fall; 

language  knowledge  of 

14. 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: 

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"* *, 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; 

15. 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"  , 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, relgion or disability; 

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 

16. Whereas the Commission, with the support of the competent bodies in the 
Member States, has the task of ensuring overall consistency and svnergy in 
the implementation of this Decision with Community programmes and 
initiatives in education and vocational training; whereas the Commission in 

li  COM(96) 67  final. 

monitor the implementation of this Decision on a permanent basis; 

co-operation with the Member States and the social partners must monitor 
the implementation of this Decision on a permanent basis; 

17.are  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: 

18.Whereas this action forms part of the overall  framework  of the programme 

relating to the Europe of Knowledge: 

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, 

^ 

19. 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: 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 
Objectives 

Article 1 
Objectives 

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"). 

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. 

2.  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 

2.  This Decision establishes certification  known as "EUROPASS-training" to 
attest at Community level to the period or periods of training followed by a 

a Member State other than that in which he or she is being trained. 

person undergoing work-linked training, including apprenticeship, in a 
Member State other than that in which he or she is being trained. 

3.  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 
establish anv rights other than those set out below. 

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: 

vQ 

1.  "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; 

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.  "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; 

2.  "person in work-linked training" means any person of any age in 

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; 

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; 

3.  "teaching mentor" means any person in a company or a training 

!*  "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 

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 

"European pathway"; 

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; 

5.  "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; 

6.  "host partner" is the organization responsible for the "European 

pathway" in the host Member State (enterprise, training establishment or 
centre, etc.). 

pathway"; for this purpose, the mentor shall act closely with the 
competenct professional  bodies taking part in the "European pathway" 

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; 

5.  "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; 

6.  "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 

Article 3 
Content and common principles 

0 

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.  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. 

1.  Where Member States allow 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 in 
another Member State can benefit from "European pathways" in 
accordance with the applicable labour and social security standards. 

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. 

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.  The "European pathways"  shall be monitored and supervised by a teaching 

5.  The "European pathways"  shall be of significant  duration. 

mentor in the host partner, account being taken in this regard of the 
capacity of SMEs and crafts  to provide such monitoring. 

6.  The "European pathways" shall be certified  as such by the organization 

5.  The "European pathways"  shall be of significant  duration. 

responsible for the training in the Member State of provenance in 
accordance with Article 4. 

6.  The  "EUROPASS-Training"  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" 

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. 

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.  EUROPASS-training shall: 

2.  EUROPASS-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; 

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; 

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

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

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

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

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

e)  identify  the host partner; 

e)  identify  the host partner; 

f)  indicate the qualifications  of the teaching mentor; 

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. 

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. 

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

** 

Article 6 
Support and accompanying  measures 

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 implémention  at 
national level in close cooperation with the social partners as well as 
representative organizations for work-linked training. 
Each Member State shall make the necessary arrangements and take 
the necessary measures to: 
(a) 

allow quality control as well as qualitative evaluation of the 
actions  implemented, 

and 
(b) 

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

Article 6 
Support and accompanying  measures 
The Commission shall co-ordinate the measures to supervise and 
evaluste the "European pathways" implemented under the 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 implémention at national level in 
close cooperation with the social partners as well as representative 
organizations for work-linked training. 
Each Member State shall make the necessary arrangements and take the 
necessary measures to: 
(a) 

allow quality control as well as qualitative evaluation of the 
actions  implemented, 

and 
(b) 

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

(c)  facilitate  the provision to trainees of guidance regarding health and 
safety risks and procedures of the hosting Member State in 
the workplace. 

3. 

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

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 workmnked training 
opportunities in the Member states of the Community and the 
establishment of partnerships. 

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. 

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 ils_financial perspective. 

Article 7 
Financing 

The resources needed to implement Article 6(1) and (3) shall be granted by 
the budgetary authority within the annual budgetary procedure and within the 
financial perspective. 

I/O 

Article 8 
Applicability 

Article 8 
Applicability 

This Decision shall apply from 1  January 2000. 

This Decision shall apply from 1  January 2000. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Article 9 
Addressees 

Article 9 
Addressees 

ANNEX 

"EUROPASS-training" 

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  in accordance with Decision 98/..../CE concerning the 
implementation  of "European pathways for  work-linked training and  apprenticeship". 

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  1 
(language of the original  establishment) 

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 

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; 
duration of the "European  pathway"; 
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. 

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  1 

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

s 

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). 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1.  Tri LK OF ACTION 

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. 

5 2  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. 

\c 

7. 

FINANCIAL  IMPACT 

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 
J999 

-  Document design 

0.100 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2004 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 

n 

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 
vears 
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 

ft 

8. 

FRAUD PREVENTION  MEASURES 

iegai  commitments  concluded  between 

A!l  contracts,  agreements  and 
the 
Corr.niissiof;  ?nd  the  beneficiaries  of  payments  allow  for  checks  /;/  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 accoum 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". 

/9 

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 

the  current  decision  of  Parliament  and 
from 
The  actions 
the  Council  resulting  notably 
the 
in 
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 

of 

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 

c*fe> 

also heip to boosi the developn?ent of work-linked training and apprenticeship ir. the 
Member States by introducing therein a Eurooean dimension 

The opération  proposed  is in  line  with  the  expectations  of the  Member  States and 
follows or. from  the declarations of several  European Ccincii 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  ofiûanzing  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  th'e setting up 
cf  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. 

«3, 

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 

III  OF  THE 

GENERAL  BUDGET) 

This section of the financial statement must he sent to IX}s IXand  XIX; IX} IX will 
then forward  it to IX i 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 
the 
DG  or  the 
department 
concerned 

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. 

à!L 

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 

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 

Budget heading 
(Number and description) 
A  2500  meetings 

general conferences 

and  62 550 

Amounts 

Method of calculation 

(in ECU) 

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 

1  62 550 

| 

The 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. 

J.i 

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 

Proposal  for a Council  Decision  on the promotion  of European  pathways for  work-linked 
training, including apprenticeship 

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(95)  590  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) 

the  Commission 

the 
Work  which 
in  Europe 
recent  Communication  on 
training 
(COM(97) 300  final)  show 
(including apprenticeship)  as  a  way  of  improving  the  integration  of  young  people 
into working life. 

the  development  of  apprenticeship 

in  work-linked 

and  notably 

forward, 

interest 

taking 

there 

that 

is 

is 

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

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

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 recognized  in such as way  as 
to allow better transparency and greater visibility, 

.av 

organize  for  the  setting  up  of  the  these  "European  Pathways"  the  required 
in  close 
coordination  and  promotion  measures  at  Community 
cooperation  with  Member  States  including  the  social  partners  at  different 
levels whose responsibilities in this area are recognized. 

level 

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  include  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 
future  of 
fundamental 
apprenticeship.  In  Germany  for  example,  more  than  half  of  those  undertaking  an 
apprenticeship are found  in enterprises employing less than 50 persons. 

involvement 

importance 

to  the 

is  of 

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 
cooperation  between  the  original  organizations  where  training  takes  places  and the 
host  organizations.  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  implementation  (notably  with  regard  to  pedagogical  follow-up  and 
evaluation procedures) are respected. 

±t 

4.  What economic  effects  is the proposal likely to have9 

(a)  On employment 

Apprenticeship  improves  employment  prospects;  unemployment  tends  to  be 
lower  than  average  in  young  people  who  have  successfully  completed  an 
apprenticeship.  For  examfjle,  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  recognized  by  the  "European  Pathways"  will  present  an 
additional  enhancement  of the young person's  experience in this perspective. 

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 
organized.  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 

3.6 

5. 

Does  the.proposal contain any measures which aim Jo  take  into account  the specific 
situation of small and medium-sized  enterprises (Special  conditions  etc...)9 

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  organizations  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). 

3a 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(98) 342 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

04  16  05 

Catalogue number  :  CB-CO-98-349-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-36575-0 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985  Luxembourg 

2r