Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (EUROPASS)
Date: 2004-04-21
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU employment policy, administrative formalities, citizens' Europe, free movement of workers

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calls for attention to be paid to the re-use of the spec-
2.7
trum of
frequencies made available by the shutdown of
analogue TV: to be re-used entirely for other TV channels, or
for new sectors and services, e.g. in the field of mobile tele-
phony;

2.8
a proliferation of the broadcasting channels available
could bring problems in the market's capacity to absorb all the
opportunities offered by technology: the victims could be the
small local broadcasting stations, for which the costs involved

in remaining competitive and the reduced advertising income
could become an obstacle. It could also have a negative impact
on local authorities, which can often make use of local radio
and television operators to promote and make the most of
specific local cultural and socio-economic features. On the
other hand, new technologies should make it possible to distri-
bute more information, accessible to an ever larger number of
citizens.

Brussels, 21 April 2004.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Proposal for a Decision of the European
Parliament and of the Council on a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and
competences (EUROPASS)’

(2004/C 121/03)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Having regard to the ‘Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a single
framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (EUROPASS)’ (COM(2003) 796 final —
2003/0307 (COD));

Having regard to the decision of the Council of 14 January 2004 to consult it on this subject, under the
first paragraph of Article 265, Article 149 and Article 150 of the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity;

Having regard to the decision of its President of 26 September 2003 to instruct its Commission for Culture
and Education to draw up an opinion on this subject;

Having regard to the Lisbon European Council of March 2000 on increased transparency of qualifications;

Having regard to the Mobility action plan adopted by the Nice European Council in December 2000;

Having regard to the conclusions of the Barcelona European Council of March 2002 on transparency of
EU diplomas and qualifications;

Having regard to the Commission Communication of 21 November 2001 on Making a European Area of
Lifelong Learning a Reality;

Having regard to European Parliament Recommendation 2001/613/EC and to the Council Recommenda-
tion of 10 July 2001 on promoting and generalising the use of transparency documents, with a view to
creating a European qualification area;

Having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 February 2002 on an Action Plan for skills and
mobility;

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Having regard to the Council Resolution of 3 June 2002 on skills and mobility;

Having regard to the Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 on lifelong learning;

Having regard to the Copenhagen Declaration of 30 November 2002 and the Council Resolution of 19
December 2002 on the Promotion of enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and
training;

Having regard to its opinion on the Promotion of European pathways for work-linked training including
apprenticeship (CdR 431/97 fin) (1), and its Opinion on the new SOCRATES, LEONARDO and YOUTH
programmes (CdR 226/98 fin) (2);

Having regard to its draft opinion CdR 307/2003 rev. 1 adopted on 19 February 2004 by its Commission
for Culture and Education (rapporteur: Mr Florio, Town Councillor of Asti(IT/EPP),

Whereas:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

The lack of transparency in qualifications and skills is one of the main obstacles to mobility, particu-
larly of young people, within the European Union.

Overcoming this obstacle is consequently an essential step in facilitating, through mobility, lifelong
learning, and helping to achieve quality education and training.

The process launched in recent years by the European Union to enhance cooperation in education
and training by encouraging transparency now needs to make a qualitative leap in order to bring
existing instruments together under a single framework.

It would appear essential to provide legislative initiatives with back-up measures to promote aware-
ness of the new rules and their widespread use.

Local and regional authorities play a key role in European education and training policy, both in
terms of their competence in the area and of the direct relationship they have with citizens.

Adopted the following opinion at its 54th plenary session, held on 21-22 April 2004 (meeting of 21 April)

1. Committee of the Regions' views

knows about one or more of these instruments might not be
aware of others. This is particularly detrimental to candidates,
but also to those called upon to consider applications.

1.1
The Committee of the Regions endorses the Commis-
sion's aim to establish a single framework for the transparency
of qualifications and competences, as called for in the Council
Resolution of 19 December 2002 on the Promotion of
enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and
training.

1.2
The CoR has on previous occasions stressed the impor-
tance of encouraging ever more transparency in these areas in
order to overcome the remaining obstacles to mobility within
the EU for purposes of study or work, with particular consid-
eration for people with disabilities.

1.3
The Committee would point out that the instruments
currently available to European citizens, such as the common
European CV format, the Diploma Supplement, the Europass-
Training document, and the Certificate Supplements and Euro-
pean Language Portfolios currently being prepared by the
national authorities, have the drawback of being subject-
specific, were established through different arrangements, and
are usually managed separately. This means that someone who

(1) OJ C 180, 11.6.1998, p. 43.
(2) OJ C 51, 22.9.1999, p. 77.

The Committee shares the Commission's view that ratio-
1.4
nalisation and simplification, underpinned by legislative action
at Community level to coordinate and integrate the various
instruments, could bring considerable added value to the latter.
This is also borne out by the results achieved in some countries
where coordinated promotion of these instruments has yielded
greater visibility, ease of access and efficiency gains.

1.5
The Committee endorses the Commission's intention to
replace the Europass training document, established by Deci-
sion 1999/51/EC, with a similar document with a wider scope
serving to record all periods of
transnational mobility for
learning purposes throughout the European Union that satisfy
appropriate quality criteria.

1.6
The Committee agrees with the Commission's view that
there is a need to set up a single national body in each Member
State to coordinate all Europass-related activities.

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1.7
The Committee calls on the Commission to provide for ways of involving the regional and local
authorities, which are major players in education and training and whose direct relationship with citizens
could be crucial to the success of the proposal.

2. Committee of the Regions recommendations

Recommendation 1

3rd recital

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

This framework should consist in a portfolio of documents
with a common brand name and a common logo, open to
the future inclusion of other documents consistent with its
purpose, supported by adequate information systems and
promoted through sustained promotional action at Euro-
pean and national level.

This framework should consist in a portfolio of documents
with a common brand name and a common logo, open to
the future inclusion of other documents consistent with its
purpose, supported by adequate information systems and
promoted through sustained promotional action at Euro-
pean, and national, regional and local level.

The amendment takes account of the crucial role the regional and local authorities could play in promoting
Europass.

Reason

Recommendation 2

6th recital

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

It is therefore necessary to ensure coherence and comple-
mentarity between the actions implemented in pursuance
of this Decision and other relevant policies,
instruments
and actions.

It is therefore necessary to ensure coherence and comple-
mentarity between the actions implemented in pursuance
of this Decision and other relevant policies,
instruments
and actions, by seeking to simplify them.

The amendment takes account of the need for administrative simplification to make the new instrument
more user-friendly.

Reason

Recommendation 3

After the 10th recital, add the following new recital:

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

(11) Within the framework of this initiative, particular
attention must be paid to consulting local and
regional authorities, in view of their competence in
the field of education and training and the direct rela-
tionship they have with citizens.

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The amendment takes account of the federal nature of several Member States and of the key role the
regional and local authorities play in education and training.

Reason

Recommendation 4

Article 2(2)

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

The Europass documents shall carry the Europass logo

The Europass documents shall carry the Europass logo and
the European Union flag.

The amendment highlights the case for including the EU flag in all official documents issued by the Union,
so that the instrument can be easily recognised as originating from the EU.

Reason

Recommendation 5

Article 8(1)

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

In order to implement this Decision, the Commission and
the relevant national authorities shall cooperate in setting
up and managing a Europass Internet-based information
system, which shall include elements managed at European
level and elements managed at national level.

In order to implement this Decision, the Commission and
the relevant national, regional and local authorities shall
cooperate in setting up and managing a system to provide
information about Europass either on the Internet or,
where appropriate, through those communication media
that guarantee access to information for people with
disabilities; this system shall include elements managed at
European level and elements managed at national, regional
and local level. Access to information about Europass must
be ensured.

The amendment takes account of the federal nature of several Member States and of the key role the
regional and local authorities play in education and training.

Reason

Recommendation 6

Article 9(2)(a)

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

coordinate,
in cooperation with the relevant national
bodies, the activities related to making available or issuing
the Europass documents, or where appropriate carry out
these activities;

coordinate,
in cooperation with the relevant national,
regional and local bodies, the activities related to making
available or issuing the Europass documents, or where
appropriate carry out these activities;

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The amendment takes account of the federal nature of several Member States and of the key role the
regional and local authorities play in education and training.

Reason

Recommendation 7

Article 10(a)

Commission proposal

CoR amendment

ensure that adequate promotion and information activities
are carried out at European and national level, supporting
and integrating as necessary the action of the ENAs;

ensure that adequate promotion and information activities
are carried out at European, and national, regional and
local level, including by means of the role played by the
regional and local authorities in disseminating information
directly to citizens, and supporting and integrating as
necessary the action of the ENAs;

The amendment takes account of the key role the regional and local authorities can play in promoting
Europass. The regional and local authorities should be involved in any initiatives and information
campaigns that are planned.

Reason

Brussels, 21 April 2004.

The President

of the Committee of the
Regions

Peter STRAUB