CELEX: 51987PC0090
Language: en
Date: 1987-03-18
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION adopting an Action Programme for the training and preparation of young people for adult and working life (presented by the Commission)

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COM (87) 90
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                            /
                                                              COM(87 ) 90 final
                                                              Brussels , 18 March 1987
           Г
                                             Proposai for a
                                           COUNCIL DECISION
    adopting an Action Programme for the training and preparation of
                         young people for adult and working life
             «      !,?
                        ^       //-A (presented by the Commission )
             V             .,/•
            “ 1 1 1 M V1
          Qo\ïi \^
C0M(87 ) 90 final
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 1 -
   INTRODUCTION
  1 . The European Community needs to put the highest premium on investment
        in its young people, their skill , versatility, sense of initiative
       and their ability to learn to cope with change . They represent the
       vital human resources for growth and prosperity in the Community of
       tomorrow . There are today over 53 million young people aged 14-25 in
       the enlarged European Community , Spain adding 6,5 million and
       Portugal nearly 1 million to the previous figure of 46 million .
  2 . While many young people are following programmes of education or
       training or are in a job, the unemployment rates remain depressingly
       high ; about 1 in 4 for young men and 1 in 3 for young women . The
       overall national unemployment rates for young people have not
       improved, in most cases , since 1983 . Although the demographic trends
       may be helpful for most Member States , since the number of 15-24 year
       olds in the Community will fall by 25 % by the end of the century ,
       the national youth unemployment statistics conceal the existence of
       areas where the rates are twice or three times as high . The personal
       tragedy of so many wasted Lives apart , the Community cannot , and must
       not , accept the continuing loss or under-utilisation in the 1990s of
       those who will form so large a part of its adult working population .
 3.   Over the past few years , the Community has concentrated its efforts
      on the need for strategies to create new job opportunities for young
      people ,   as outlined in the Council Resolution on the promotion of
      employment for young people 1 ,     which stressed the need for such
      strategies to be coordinated with programmes of vocational training ,
      as an instrument of an active employment policy .
4.    Although progress in the education and training field is not a
      panacea for combatting youth unemployment , and recognising that this
      contribution must be seen as part of a comprehensive response to the
      employment situation ,    the Commission considers that investment in
      training is a vital factor in future social and economic development .
      In this context , the effectiveness of vocational education and
      training opportunities provided for young people is a decisive factor
      in creating the conditions for their participation in continuing
      education and training throughout their adult working lives .
5 . The Commission 's proposals in this communication represent a direct
      response to the mandate of the European Council which , at its meeting
      in Milan on 28-29 June 1985 , instructed the Commission and the Member
      States to take the necessary implementing powers to give a concrete
      follow-up to the measures proposed in the Adonnino Committee 's Report
      on a " People 's Europe ".    This report , approved by the European
      Council , underlined the importance of youth policies for the European
1
  . Council Resolution of 23 January 1984 - 0J N° C 29 of 4 February 1984 .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 2 -
     Community and called inter alia for " Member States to do their
     utmost , within national policies , whenever possible in association
     with enterprises and social partners , to ensure that all young people
     wishing to do so receive one year 's , or if possible two years' ,
     vocational training in addition to their compulsory education".
6.   The Commission 's proposals take into account recent developments in
     the training and preparation of young people for adult and working
     life in the different Member States .       In particular , they aim to
     update and give further impetus to the common training policies set
     out in July 1983 in the Council Resolution on Vocational Training
     Policies for the 198Qs , in the light of the Commission 's review ,
     issued in May 1986 , of the measures taken by Member States to
     implement the terms of that Resolution , - Moreover special attention
     has been given to the recent further enlargement of the Community ,
     and the need to associate Spain and Portugal closely with the policy
     developments and actions at Community level , taking into account
     their distinctive national arrangements and needs in the training
     field .    The proposals also respond to the Council Resolution of 11
     December 1986 on an action programme for employment growth , which
     invited the Commission to present proposals on Youth Training in
     1987 .
7.   In particular , in accordance with its Treaty obligations , the
     Commission 's proposals are designed to promote the pursuit of common
     policies so as :
     (a)     to raise the standards and quality of vocational education and
             training provisions for young people throughout the Community
             so that they may be better prepared for adult and working life
     (b)     to modernise the various vocational education and training
             arrangements available to young people ,     avoiding ad hoc and
             temporary structures , and to strengthen the sense of shared
             responsibility of all parties in the public , private and
             voluntary sectors , in order to mobilise all available resources
             to meet the needs of young people , the economy and society more
             generally ;
     (c)     to provide young people with a qualifying training experience ,
             leading to a recognised qualification linked to the mainstream
             of vocational qualifications , which will improve their access
             to employment and better equip them for continuing education
             and training opportunities throughout adult life .
2 . OJ N° C 193 of 20.7.1983
    Youth training in the European Community,         COM ( 86 ) 285 final of
    29.5.1986 .
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 3 -
      (d)    to promote greater flexibility       of response by the training
             systems to the complex challenges     emerging from rapid economic ,
             technological and social change ,     so that training may become a
             more vital and integral factor        in both economic and social
             development ;
     (e)     to give a strong European dimension to the various training
             initiatives and to stimulate exchange of experience between
             Member States as a contribution to the achievement of the
             internal market and the elimination of barriers to the free
            movement of persons in the Community .
8.   This communication also follows up the Commission 's Memorandum for
     International Youth Year , issued in July 1985 , which promised to
     " make further proposals to improve the education and training of
     young people , their information , guidance and counselling , and to
     extend the second action programme at Community level ( 1983-1986 )
     concerning the transition of young people from school to adult and
     working life ".      It draws on the experience derived from the second
     Transition Programme on which an interim report was presented by the
     Commission to the Council and to the Economic and Social Committee in
     January 1986    .   Moreover , it complements the new COMETT programme     ,
     adopted by the Council in July 1986, as well as the ERASMUS 7 and YES
        proposals also presented by the Commission in direct response to
     the mandate of the European Council regarding the need to build a
     " People 's Europe ".    It also forms part of the programme to achieve
     the Internal Market set out in the Commission 's White Paper , as a
     contribution to facilitating the free movement and establishment of
     Community citizens .
9.   The opinion expressed in the Advisory Committee for Vocational
     Training , at its meeting on May 27 and 28 1986, has also been
     carefully taken into account .          ( See Annex 2 for text of full
     opinion .)
4. Com (85) 247 final of 1 July 1985
    COM ( 85 ) 767 final of 23 December 1985
    OJ N° L 222 of 8 August 1986, p.17 .
    COM ( 85 ) 756 final of 20 December 1985
8 . COM (85) 52 final of 5 March 1986
9. COM (85) 310 final of 14 June 1985
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 4 -
PRESENT SITUATION
10 . There has been a vast expansion of " post-compulsory " vocational
     education and training in recent years , particularly for the under 18
     age-group , although the university and higher education systems as
     such have been subject to cuts in most Member States . Whether or not
     there is legislation covering post full-time compulsory education ,
     whether or not there is the actual training capacity available to
     meet alt needs , there seems now at least to be widespread agreement
     that alt young people should have a more extended period of
     vocational education and training to develop both general and
     specific skills equipping them for the world of work , before entering
     ( or trying to enter ) full-time employment .     Unlike the 1970s , the
     pressures on young people to pursue their training and preparation
     for adult life beyond the minimum school-leaving age arise
     particularly from the challenge of new technologies and the wider
     recognition of Europe 's need to have a well educated work force if it
     is to turn out goods of high added value and compete effectively in
     world markets .     The idea that education and training constitute a
     more respectable alternative to or a refuge from unemployment is
     rapidly losing currency .
     In addition ,   account must be taken of the growing evidence that the
     population of unemployed young people ,     and particularly those who
     suffer from repeated or long-term periods of unemployment , contains
     unacceptably large numbers of those without basic skills , who have
     been , in their own eyes , failures at school , and who then find
     themselves unable to get or to hold down a job .        The education and
     training systems have an important role to play in helping to prevent
     what amounts to a total exclusion from society for far too many young
     people .
11 . Overall , with relatively fewer young people in most Member States
     seeking to enter full-time employment immediately after compulsory
     schooling , the significance of the " break point " at the end of
     compulsory schooling is diminishing - all the more so as " special
     measures " for the young unemployed are being increasingly integrated
     within   Member   States   into  mainstream   vocational   education   and
     training provision , or represented as " transition " measures between
     education and employer-based traineeships .
12 . The period of transition between the end of schooling and entry into
     stable employment is often long and lengthening for the majority of
     young people in the European Community .    There is no single point of
     transition but rather an increasing multiplicity of exit and re-entry
     points which have to be negotiated by young people .      Moreover , there
     are different types of institutions and organisations providing
     vocational education , training , guidance or work experience according
     to the particular point in the process reached by the young people in
     question . It has to be recognised that the vocational education and
     training arrangements in most Member States are somewhat fragmented ,
     as different government departments with overlapping responsibilities
     in the training field have developed temporary or crash programmes
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 5 -
     for young people in recent years .    The need for closer cooperation
     even coordination between them has become widely established and the
     Commission has in recent years drawn the attention of national
     authorities to the weaknesses          inherent    in   fragmented and
     uncoordinated provision .
13 . The emergence in recent years in most Member States of many new
     training structures and programmes specially designed for young
     people has also been complemented by changing national policies
     involving either the re-centralisation or the decentralisation of
     education and training services .    In particular , the training and
     guidance opportunities ,    and the differing financial conditions
     usually attached to them , often appear confused and bewildering to
     young people .    Many voluntary agencies too have tried to fill the
     gaps in training provision for the least qualified and most
     vulnerable young people .   These different factors have increased the
     already growing public concern about the fragmentation of services on
     offer to young people and the need for more coherence and
     coordination in their planning and delivery .
14 . Guidance and counselling are of key importance for girls and young
     women , who continue to make traditional choices where education and
     training are concerned , choices leading to a limited number of jobs ,
     often low paid and with poor career prospects . Action is needed to
     promote a change of attitudes and improve access to all opportunities
     in vocational education and training irrespective of sex . Here too a
     coordinated approach between all the bodies and associations dealing
     with guidance and counselling in general ,           and for girls in
     particular , could lead to a widespread use of specific actions to
     assist girls in making informed choices .
15 . Efforts to ensure that young people pursue vocational education and
     training up to and even beyond 18 years of age can only in the final
     resort be successful if young people themselves feel they have an
     element of choice in the matter - a choice between a variety of
     training or work-related activities suited to their own individual
     aspirations and capacities .     That implies raising the quality and
     diversity of training provisions so as to ensure that all young
     people have a similar opportunity and a similar motivation to invest
     in their future .   It is the concern of the Community as a whole that
     special efforts are made to eliminate regional disparities in this
     respect , particularly as regards high drop-out rates (eg . in some
     rural areas , or where the compulsory school leaving age is well below
     the Community average , as is the case in Portugal ).
16 . Increasingly there is evidence of wider recognition of the need for
     new partnerships in mobilising the various education , training and
     counselling resources available to young people in a more coherent ,
     and transparent form which can also secure the wider participation of
     young people in the programmes on offer .     These partnerships should
     not simply involve public authorities , but also link up the wide
     range of other agencies and interests , especially at local level ,
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 6 -
      both private and voluntary .    There is scope for such partnerships to
      be developed further between national ,            regional and local
      authorities , in accordance with the specific dynamics and traditions
      of each Member State , particularly with regard to the active role of
      the social partners , so that this commitment to mobilisation of all
      available resources becomes a reality at all levels .     Greater public
      understanding of and commitment to the training systems , through
      active participation in this process will also help raise standards
      and secure the necessary support for further investment in vocational
      education and training .      Parents and the social partners have a
      special role in this respect .
17 . Within such partnerships , a special focus should be given to
      exploring the potential for more effective links between schools and
      industry , commerce , agriculture and the service sector .        This is
      already occuring in some Member States , and provides inter alia the
      basis for work experience and linked work / training opportunities for
      young people , but may well develop more widely if set within a
      broader coalition of interests committed to the adaptation of
      existing training capacity and its further expansion .       The special
      position and potential of small and medium-sized firms needs to be
      taken into account in this context as employment opportunities ,
      particularly at the level of the local labour market , are often
      restricted to relatively small employers .        The adaptability and
      flexibility required of workers in smaller enterprises can be better
      recognised and catered for in the vocational education and training
      context through links between small and medium-sized firms and the
      schools and training institutions .       Young people too need to be
      prepared for the entrepreneurial challenges they will face if they
      eventually work in a small or medium sized firm .      The importance of
      this aspect was underlined recently in the Commission 's Action
      Programme on small and medium-sized enterprises 10 upon which the
      Council adopted a Resolution last October .
18 . An improvement in the quality of training for young people and in
      their preparation for adult and working life presupposes not only
      close collaboration    between all  the  actors  involved  but   also the
      development of their professional competence .          In this respect
      particular attention needs to be paid to the training of trainers and
      to staff development in general .        Experience of common training
      programmes involving different categories of trainers has proved
      valuable in encouraging effective collaboration in the pursuit of
      common objectives .
19 .. The emergence of new training programmes and structures ,             the
      lengthening period of training and the increasing number of exit and
      re-entry points to training present young people with a confusing and
      complex picture .    Obviously it is desirable that young people should
      feel that they have an element of choice and that they can negotiate
      their own learning programmes but a prerequisite to choice and to
      negotiation , is an awareness of the range of options .        Many young
10
    COM ( 86 ) 445 final .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 7 -
      people , and particularly disadvantaged young people , simply do not
      have this awareness .       They do not know about the variety of
      programmes , facilities and services which are available to them . It
      is not that information does not exist , in fact in some instances
      there is almost an overprovision .      It is simply the fact that the
      information is not presented in the appropriate style or format to
      make it attractive to, and understandable by, young people .       The
      Commission has already supported a series of youth information
      projects' 1 which have demonstrated how existing agencies , working in
      conjunction with young people , can successfully market their services
      to many others who are in the period of transition .
20 . In addition to these youth information projects , there is a wealth of
      evidence in the different Member States to suggest that many young
      people are themselves eager to take the initiative in launching
      projects which not only engage their often untapped energies but also
      increase their confidence to participate in other projects and
      sometimes lead on to jobs .        The initiatives of young people to
      communicate , inform each other , identify themselves in the media etc
      are an important part of removing the traditional paternalism of
      youth policy, which has undermined many of the well-intentioned
      efforts by public authorities to solve young people 's problems for
      them .     The Commission has also given limited support , on an
      experimental basis , to a series of youth initiatives or projects ,
      where young people have played a leading role in their design and
      management , primarily in the area of training , cooperatives and
      contact with the media .
PROPOSALS FOR ACTION
21 . In the light of this analysis of the situation , the following further
      action programme is proposed for the period 1987-1992 ,          as an
      extension to the measures adopted by the Council in its Resolutions
      of 11 July 1983 on vocational training policies for the 1980s 1 , and
      its previous Resolution of 1979 on linked work and training for young
      people      .    The proposals build moreover on the considerable
      achievements of the current action programme on the transition of
      young people from school to adult and working life which is due to
      end , in its present form , in 1987   .
11
   ■ Note :     As a contribution to International Youth Year , and in
     collaboration with the Luxembourg authorities , the Commission held a
     European conference in November 1985 , bringing together promising
     examples of such projects .        The results of this conference are
     available in a Social Europe supplement ( 3 / 86 ).
12. OJ N° C 193 of 20 july 1983
13. 0J N° C 1 of 3 January 1980
U. 0J N° C 193 of 28 July 1982, p. 1 , as amended by 0J N° C 328 of
       18.12.1985 , p. 3 .
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 8 -
22 . The central objective of this action programme should in particular
     be : to promote the expansion , improvement and diversification of
     vocational education and training opportunities in such a way as to
     ensure that all young people in the European Community wishing to do
     so receive one year 's , or if possible two years' , vocational training
     in addition to their compulsory education .
23 . The measures to be pursued by the Commission in order to assist the
     Member States , in close cooperation with the social partners , in
     achieving this central objective , are set out in the texts of the
     draft decision and annex which accompany this communication together
     with the relevant explanatory notes in the attached Memorandum .     The
     precise measures to be taken by the Commission would be planned on
     the basis of proposals to be presented by Member States , consulting
     appropriately with the social partners at national level . The
     Commission envisages the creation of a working group of national
     policy coordinators to be nominated by Member States , to advise on
     the development of the programme .       The progress of the programme
     would be reviewed each year by the Commission reporting to its
     tripartite Advisory Committee for Vocational Training and to the
     Education Committee of the Council .    In accordance with the terms of
     the Council Resolution adopted in 1983 , the programme is designed to
     strengthen the Community dimension in the planning and implementation
     of vocational education and training strategies by arranging for the
     linking of projects in this field within the framework of a European
     network and for the pooling and exchange of experience between Member
     States .    In this way , the Commission can be equipped to continue to
     play a catalytic role in the pooling of experience and in identifying
     new , promising models for future developments .
24 . The Commission envisages that this plan of action will also be
     closely linked to its new efforts to promote more effective policies
     for the continuing training of adults in firms .       During 1987, the
     Commission 's Communication       on this wider subject will be the
     subject of debate throughout the Community , in particular with
     respect to the investment in training by public and private sector
     companies and shared responsibility for such financing between
     governments , firms and individuals .     Moreover , the Commission will
     ensure that policy developments in the field of training for both
     young people and adults will be fully taken into account in the
     forthcoming review of the financial instruments of the Community, so
     that every coherence is assured between the policies pursued by the
     Community and the use of the financial resources at its disposal .
25 . The approach outlined in the above paragraphs governs the choice of
     the following specific actions to be pursued at Community level
     during the period 1987-1992 .     A 9 point plan of supporting action
     will be implemented by the Commission namely :
     ( a ) the launching of a European network of training partnership
           initiatives linking projects from the different Member states }
15
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 9 -
     ( b ) technical assistance in the vocational training field ;
     ( c ) comparative research on vocational education and training issues
     (d ) co-sponsoring of surveys on youth training programmes and their
           effectiveness ;
     Ce ) review of evolution of vocational qualifications ;
     ( f ) support for innovative information projects on the transition to
           adult and working life which involve young people in their
           planning , organisation and implementation ;
     ( g ) support for youth initiatives to encourage the development of
           entrepreneurial skills , responsabi lity and creativity amongst
           young people ;
     ( h ) exchange of training specialists y
     ( i ) regular dialogue and reviews between policy makers and the social
           partners of the implementation of the Council decision .
26 . The Council is invited to adopt the draft decision and its
     accompanying annex .      A more detailed explanation of the supporting
     action to be taken by the Commission is contained in the Explanatory
     Memorandum which follows this communication .
 ---pagebreak---                                          Ίο
                             EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
                    to the draft Council Decision and Annex
In order to complement and back up the measures taken by Member States,
the Commission will continue with its activities to encourage innovation
and the qualitative improvement of vocational education and training
systems . The objectives of the Community-level actions in the context of
youth training policies will be designed in accordance with the terms of
the draft decision and annex . These objectives wilt govern the choice of
the specific actions to be pursued at Community level during the period
1987-1992 .
The various measures to be implemented at Community level are described
below and correspond to the 9 point plan of actions set out in Paragraph
25 . of the Communication , and outlined in the Annex to the draft Council
Decision .
( a ) Partnership Initiatives in Vocational Education and Training
(i )      The Commission will establish a European network of training
          partnership initiatives for young people .    The projects selected
          to participate in this network must involve a clear commitment to
          mobilise the collective resources of the public , private and
          voluntary sectors so as to develop a cooperative or an integrated
          approach to the vocational education , training and counselling
          needs of young people and to promote a climate for effective
          partnership between the agencies concerned .       Special interest
          will be taken in the promotion of links between schools and
          industry , commerce , agriculture or the services sector , and in
          the promotion of cooperation in the training of trainers
          operating at different levels in the education and training
          systems .
( ii )    The Commission will select projects for inclusion in the European
          network   on  the  basis  of  proposals   from the   Member States ,
          consulting appropriately with social partners at the national
          level .    The Member States will be invited to indicate projects
          which highlight promising initiatives relevant to the terms of
          the draft decision , and in particular to its policy objectives .
( iii )   The projects selected will have to demonstrate the potential to
          serve as multipliers for the dissemination of good practices both
          within and between Member States .    In this way , the added value
          from participation in the European network will serve to
          complement measures taken at national , regional and local levels .
          The projects will play an active part in a Community-wide network
          for which the Commission will provide the necessary technical
          assistance , as well as continuing reporting and monitoring of the
          various activities .
 ---pagebreak---                                           M
 ( iv )    In the framework of the European network , partnerships between
           regions or local areas will be designed also to increase mutual
           understanding of the common economic and commercial interests of
           the local areas or regions involved and their cultural and
           commercial ties .    Encouragement will be given by the Commission
           to exchanges and participation of the organisers of vocational
          education and training programmes and the young people involved
          between the local areas / regions concerned so as to give a
          practical significance to participation in a European scheme of
          this kind .    This approach in particular is designed to underline
          the importance of the educational and training implications of
          the Community 's commitment to complete the internal market' .
 (v)      Projects will normally participate in the European network for
          not more than two years ; the network will thus serve as a
          flexible framework for inclusion of innovative initiatives which
          respond to changing national policies over the 5 year period and
          serve as European examples capable of influencing the development
          of the mainstream systems in each Member State throughout the
          duration of the programme .
( vi )    Each project within the European network will receive a financial
          contribution from the Community to establish and develop the
          links with counterpart initiatives in other Member States , in the
          form of twinning agreements , and for coordinating the production
          of the reports to be provided for the European network .       Where
          partnership initiatives involve collaboration and exchange of
          experience between regions or local areas from different Member
          States , the Community grant can include inter alia a contribution
          to travel costs , translation of materials and the running of
          workshops for the training of trainers and / or other multipliers
          ( eg development agents ). The Commission will produce a manual of
          good practice for general distribution , drawing on the case-study
          material derived from the various projects .
( b ) Technical assistance
The achievement of the objectives set out in the draft decision will pose
a considerable challenge to certain Member States .         Already agreemnts
exist with both Greece and Portugal for technical assistance in the
training field .         The Commission intends to develop further ,        in
collaboration with CEDEFOP, the capacity to assist in advising and
tackling training problems for Member States which require such
assistance .      Provision will therefore be made for special measures of
technical assistance , including the sending of teams of European experts
to certain regions .       In such cases , the Commission will also provide a
Community contribution to support the development of partnership where
there is little experience of this partnership approach , as described in
( a ) above .
1 . COM (85 ) 310 final of 14 June 1985 .
 ---pagebreak--- ( c ) Comparative research
(i )      It will be essential to monitor and evaluate the quality and
          efficiency of the measures taken to implement the terms of the
          Decision .    The Commission therefore plans to organise a process
          of cooperative research which can facilitate the pooling of
          research expertise and resources in the field of vocational
          training .      This will add a valuable European dimension and
          possible economies of scale to the efforts of individual Member
          States .     Such an approach has already proved itself in the
          implementation of the Community action programme on new
          technologies and vocational training ,             and could be applied
          effectively in this area through close collaboration between the
          Commission , national authorities and the social partners .
( ii )    The Commission proposes therefore to invite national authorities
          to propose themes or areas of research linked to one or more of
          the agreed policy objectives and to designate an appropriate
          national agency which could participate in the cooperative
          Community programme .           The Commission will then provide
          appropriate    technical assistance for cooperation between the
          designated agencies ,       drawing on the technical assistance of
          CEDEFOP where appropriate ,           sometimes grouping countries or
          regions according to their special interest in certain themes of
          common concern , for example :
          - the need for the collection of adequate statistics on the
            provision of and participation in vocational training
            programmes ;
          - the links between general and vocational education ;
          - the organisation       of   a   system of     continuing    guidance  and
            counselling ;
          - vocational training         and     forward    looking    labour   market
            strategies ;
          - the impact of demographic change on training policies ;
          - the need     to develop systems of assessment for work-based
            learning ,    and for work experience and observation in school
            curricula .
( iii )   The  Commission     will   also    provide   support   for   synthesis and
          dissemination     conferences    both    within   Member   States   and  at
          European level to make the results more widely available .              The
          Commission will invite CEDEFOP to arrange for the exploitation
          and adaptation of such materials in the form of training packages
          for use in the training of trainers or other specialists , such as
          counsellors , in the different Member States .
 ---pagebreak---                                            13
  ( d ) Surveys of coverage of youth training measures
  (i )       The Commission 's experience in undertaking the review of youth
            training measures in 1985 2 indicates that while Member States are
            giving high priority to the provision of training for young
            people , there is generally little evidence on how this provision
            is perceived by young people who have to make their way through
            the multiplicity of exit and re-entry points in the education and
            training systems , especially where , as is often the case , these
            are organized by different governmental departments and agencies .
            Special attention will be given to the need to monitor the
            quality and effectiveness of provision in certain regions and for
            disadvantaged groups of young people in particular , many of whom
            still slip through the net of provisions .
 ( ii )     The Commission will therefore co-sponsor in cooperation with
            national and / or regional authorities surveys of trends in the
            movement of young people through and between the education and
            training systems .    Attention will be paid to questions relating
            to youth provision , especially early drop-outs , and those living
            in rural and peripheral areas of the Community and in the most
            deprived areas . All survey results will be broken down by sex so
            as to examine the participation of both young men and young women
            in training programmes .
 ( iii )   The Commission proposes to follow the procedure of co-financing
           such surveys , in partnership with the different national or
            regional authorities and with the technical assistance of
           CEDEFOP, building on present or planned surveys in the different
           Member States . This Community effort will facilitate comparative
           examination of the effects of and         responses to the various
           training provisions and also serve as a European stimulus to
           national and regional authorities to monitor trends more
           systematically and to improve the instruments at their disposal
           to assess the effectiveness of their own systems .       In this way,
           progressively, it will also be possible to improve standards of
           training policies throughout the Community .
(e ) Review of vocational qualifications
(i )       The Commission proposes to focus comparative examination on
           curriculum development and certification systems which have
           important     European     repercussions    if    comparability    of
           qualifications and free movement of workers are to be
           facilitated . To this end , the Commission intends to establish ,
           with the technical assistance of CEDEFOP,       the conditions for a
           regular review of the evolution of vocational qualifications in
           the different Member States .     This review will be initiated with
           the close cooperation of Member States in the designation of
           centres which can serve as national reference agencies in this
           field, specializing in forward-looking manpower policies and the
           anticipated impact on qualifications .        On the basis of this
2 . COM (86) 285 final of 29.5.1986
 ---pagebreak---                                            <14
          review , the Commission will arrange to pool experience concerning
          the development of modular systems or other innovative systems of
          training and certification .
( ii )    This review of vocational qualifications will also underpin the
          Commission 's implementation of the Council 's decision                    on
          comparability of qualifications .          The rapidly changing structure
          of qualifications and the increasing emergence of families of
          skills will have to be taken into account in selecting priority
          sectors for the application of the Council decision .
( iii )   In conducting this review , special attention will be focussed on
          the ways vocational qualifications can relate more directly to
          competence required in work ,            national measures for setting
          standards , the coherence and cost-effectiveness of the design of
          qualifications , etc .
( f ) Youth information projects
(i )      In recent years the Commission has given limited financial
          support to a series of youth initiatives , which involve the
          production of more effective and coordinated information
          resources to facilitate the transition of young people to adult
          and working life .        The Commission has subsidised a number of
          projects such as Young Scot ( United Kingdom ), Viaggio ( Italy ),
          Ung ABZ ( Denmark ), in which young people have worked with a
          number     of     existing    agencies       to    produce    booklets    for
          school-leavers . These booklets provide information on everything
          from work and job-hunting , to how to get cheap travel .               It has
          also assisted other information projects which have involved
          young people in making films , videos , TV and Radio broadcasts ,
          and in setting up Information Centres .
( ii )    The Commission will continue its assistance to these projects and
          will ensure that the most innovative European initiatives are
          drawn   to    the   attention   of   all    Member   States .     Particular
          attention will be paid to initiatives dealing with information
          for young women and girls .
( g ) Youth initiatives
(i )      The Commission will continue to offer direct support to projects
          which actively involve young people in their planning and
          organisation and which encourage initiative , responsibility , and
          creativity amongst young people .               Such projects may involve
          training , the use of the media and new technologies or the
          development of voluntary work and community work .                      These
          initiatives may be viewed as complementary to the more formal
          institutional arrangements for training and counselling .                 The
          experience and knowledge from such projects can assist an
3 . OJ N° L 199 of 31.7.1985, p. 56
 ---pagebreak---               awareness of the needs and aspirations of young people and can
              provide existing agencies with indications , suggestions or models
             which will help them make their services more accessible to young
             people .    Particular attention will be paid to initiatives which
             assist young women and girls .
 ( ii )      The Commission will provide financial assistance towards the
              launching or development of a project normally in the form of
             non-renewable grants for up to a 12 month period .         Promoters ,
             particularly those who are linked with public authorities , will
             generally be expected to finance at least half the cost of their
             projects through their own fund raising efforts , from public and
             private sources .    Youth initiatives entirely run by young people
             may receive more generous funding .
( iii )      Eligible projects will     be  required to share     information and
             experience with other youth initiatives both in their own country
             and with other Member States .     The Commission will then provide
       .     support for the European-wide exchange of experience about youth
             initiatives ,    so as to stimulate wider and more active
             participation by young people .      Progressively, the Commission
             intends to organise this process of exchange of experience so as
             to engage the active interest of national and regional
             authorities in encouraging such youth initiatives to form an
             integrated part of the mainstream of national education, training
             and labour market effort .       The Youth Forum of the European
             Communities will be invited to assist in stimulating developments
             in this field , and further cooperation will also be appropriately
             developed with the Council of Europe .
( h ) Exchange of training specialists
The Commission will expand arrangements for the exchange of training
specialists so as to further multiply awareness of good practices
throughout the Community .          The existing scheme of exchanges currently
organised with the technical assistance of CEDEFOP will be strengthened
so as to give more opportunities for comparative experience to be gained
of vocational education and training developments .             Priority will be
given to the selection of trainers involved in the planning of training
programmes related to the achievement of Articles 1 and 2 of the Council
decision .
( i ) Regular dialogue
The Commission will arrange with Member States throughout the 5-year
period a series of high level European conferences to monitor the
implementation of the Council decision and the associated action
programme .        The arrangement for this intensive dialogue will be made by
the Commission with the help of the advisory group of Directors General
\ Note to the Conclusions of the European Youth Ministers at their
         conference held in Strasbourg , December 1985 .
 ---pagebreak--- for Vocational Training ( representatives of the different government
departments responsible for training of young people and their
preparation for adult and working life ), and with representatives of the
social partners at European level , drawing also on the technical
assistence of CEDEFOP .
 ---pagebreak---                         PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION
 adopting an Action Programme for the training and preparation of young
 people for adult and working life .
 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
 and in particular Article 128 thereof ;
 Having regard to Council Decision 63 / 266/ EEC of 2 April 1963 laying down
general principles for implementing a common vocational training policy ,
and in particular the Second and Tenth Principles ;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ;
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ;
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ;
Whereas the fundamental objectives of the common vocational training
policy set down in the second principle of Decision 63 / 266 / EEC . refer in
particular to the need to guarantee adequate vocational training for all
and to avoid any harmful interruption between completion of general
education and commencement of vocational training ;
Whereas the Tenth Principle of Decision 63 / 266/ EEC states that special
measures may be taken in respect of special problems concerning specific
sectors of activity or specific categories of persons ;
Whereas the Council in its Resolution of 18 December 1979 on linked work
and training for young persons ^ affirmed that there is a continuing need
to encourage the development of effective links between training and job
experience and to establish coordinated programmes and structures making
for cooperation between the various bodies responsible ;
Whereas it is a priority objective that young people should be properly
prepared for working life and their responsibilities as adults , and that
measures be developed to improve the transition of young people from
school to adult and working life ;
Whereas there is a need for all young people wishing to do so to receive
one year or, if possible , two years vocational training in addition to
their compulsory education , as agreed by the European Council at its
meeting in June 1985 when it adopted the report of the Ad Hoc Committee
on a People 's Europe and mandated the Commission and the Council , acting
within their respective powers , to ensure the implementation of the
proposals contained therein ;
Whereas there is a need to promote further action and to build on the
achievements as well as the measures previously taken at Community level
in respect of vocational education and training and to complement the
financial interventions in support of youth training currently carried
out within the framework of the European Social Fund ;
   OJ N 0 63, 20.4.1963, p . 1338 / 63
2 0J N° C 1 , 3.1.1980, p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak--- Where there is a need to give a visible European dimension to the
different policy measures designed to raise the standards of vocational
education and training for young people throughout the Community and to
place greater emphasis on better information for young people , on active
participation     and on the development of their entrepreneurial
capacities ;
Whereas there is a need to give a European dimension to the various
training initiatives and to stimulate exchange of experience between
Member States as a contribution to the achievement of the internal market
and the elimination of barriers to the free movement of persons in the
Community ,
 ---pagebreak--- HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS
Article 1
A programme to stimulate improvements , within the Community, in the
training and preparation of young people for adult and working life is
hereby adopted for a five year period commencing on 1 July 1987 .
This programme , in pursuance of common policies on vocational training ,
is designed to assist Member States in ensuring that all young people in
the Community wishing to do so receive one year 's , or if possible two
years' , vocational training in addition to their compulsory education .
Article 2
In order to raise the standards and quality of training provisions
throughout the Community , the objectives of the programme shall be as
follows :
1.     to support , in cooperation with the Member States and the social
       partners ,   the development and introduction of measures to
       strengthen links and cooperation at all levels between the
       vocational education and training systems and with all sectors of
       the economy both public and private with a view to :
      - adapting curricula to enhance the capacity of young people to
         achieve their full potential and to take account of economic ,
         technological and social change ,
      - providing and developing a variety of learning opportunities
         which reflect working life and the practical realities and needs
         of the economy and ,
      - helping    young  people  as   far  as  possible    to  develop  an
         understanding of trends in the world of industry ,       commerce ,
         services and agriculture ,    and of the further training and
         employment implications and opportunities for them .
2.    to support closer cooperation and the bridging of gaps between the
      various agencies responsible for the vocational education and
      training and guidance of young people , including as appropriate
      public , private and voluntary bodies and youth organisations at
      national , regional or local levels . Such cooperation , based on the
       idea of shared responsibility for the social and vocational
       integration of young people , should be designed to facilitate the
      coordination and cost-effective implementation of all services and
      policies aimed at young people by :
      - diversifying the provision for vocational education and training
         so as to offer choice for young people with different kinds of
         ability leading to recognised vocational training qualifications ;
 ---pagebreak---         - allowing for more flexible approaches towards achieving a better
           balance between the need for breadth in the programmes on offer
           and the requirements for necessary vocational specialisation .
 3.     with respect to the above objectives,       to encourage partnership
        initiatives which aim to provide an integrated approach to the
       vocational education and training and guidance of young people as
       part of the Community 's active employment policy and involve the
        social partners in the dialogue about the setting of training
       standards .
 4.    to encourage a greater use of opportunities which have been created
       outside the traditional systems for a more diversified process of
       guidance and counselling , and also to promote the coordinated
       provision of guidance and counselling both during the final period
       of compulsory education and on a continuing basis thereafter in the
       light of the needs of young people , especially young women .
 5.    to promote equal opportunities and give special attention to young
       people who are disadvantaged - whether because of their culture or
       race , their mental or physical handicap, their social or economic
       background or because of their levels of attainment as
       school-leavers , in particular through :
       - training programmes to assist long-term unemployed young people ;
       - measures taken in the final period of compulsory schooling to
          ensure the acquiring of basic skills ;
      - measures taken to enable young women to participate on an equal
          basis in vocational training programmes .
6.    to encourage the development of creativity ,           initiative and
      entrepreneurial spirit to assist young people in taking an active
      part in planning and shaping their own futures , and to help them
      acquire the skills and confidence necessary to enter vocational
      education and training programmes and / or the labour market , with
      particular reference to the initiative and adaptability required of
      workers in small and medium-sized enterprises .
7.    to     strengthen  the  Community dimension     in the   planning   and
      implementation of vocational education and training strategies so
      as to promote greater flexibility of response by the training
      systems to the complex challenges emerging from rapid economic ,
      technological and social change , so that training may become a more
      vital and integral factor in both economic and social development .
Article 3
1.    In order to achieve the objectives stated in Article 2,         and to
      support and complement the work of the Member States ,              the
      Commission shall carry out specific incentive and complementary
      measures , as set out in the Annex .
 ---pagebreak---                                       Ί\
2.     In performing this task the Commission shall be assisted by a
       Committee . The Committee shall be composed of twenty-six members :
      a ) two representatives per Member State , representing the Education
          and Training authorities , as appropriate .   These members shall
          be appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from
          the Member States ; .
      b ) two representatives of the social partners , appointed by the
          Commission on the basis of proposals from the Community-level
          organisations representing the social partners ;
      Members of the Committee may be assisted by experts or advisers .
      A representative of the Youth Forum shall participate in the work
      of the Committee as an observer .
      The    Committee shall    be  chaired by   a  representative    of  the
      Commission .
      The proceedings of the Committee shall be confidential .
      The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure .      Secretarial
      services shall be provided by the Commission .
3.    The Commission may consult the Committee on all questions
      concerning the implementation of the programme and its coherence
      with national policies .
      In seeking the Committee 's views , the Commission may specify the
      deadlines by which these views shall be submitted .
      The Committee 's discussions shall not be followed by a vote .
      However, every member of the Committee shall have the right to
      require that his / her opinion be recorded in the minutes .
Article 4
1.    Regular reports on the implementation of the action programme shall
      be submitted to the Advisory Committee for Vocational Training set
      up under Council Decision 63/688/ EEC-5 and to the Education
      Committee , set up pursuant to the Resolution of 9 February 1976 of
      the Council and of the Ministers of Education , meeting within the
      Council .
2.    An interim report on     the implementation of this action programme
      shall be presented to   the Council and to the European Parliament by
      the Member States and   by the Commission before the end of 1989 , and
      a final report before   the end of 1992 .
            I
3. OJ N° 190, 30.12.1963, p. 3090/63
4. OJ N° C 38, 19.2.1976, p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak--- ANNEX TO THE DRAFT DECISION ADOPTING AN ACTION PROGRAMME FOR THE TRAINING
          AND PREPARATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE FOR ADULT AND WORKING LIFE
1.   This action programme is designed to incorporate a range of
     incentive and complementary measures to be pursued by the Commission
     in collaboration with the Member States and the social partners , to
     encourage innovation and the qualitative improvement of vocational
     education and training systems in the European Community .
2.   For the duration of the programme 1987-1992 , support may be given for
     the following activities :
     ( a ) Support for partnership initiatives in vocational education and
           training which :
           - involve    a   clear   commitment   to  mobilise    the  collective
              resources of the public , private and voluntary sectors so as
              to develop a cooperative or an integrated approach to the
            . vocational education , training and counselling needs of young
              people ,
           - demonstrate     a    commitment   to   liaise    with   counterpart
              initiatives in other Member States ,         for example through
              twinning agreements ,     and to take an active role in a
              Community-wide network providing technical             assistance ,
              monitoring and evaluation .
           The financial contribution of the Community will be limited to
           the operational expenses incurred through activities with a
           European dimension , linked to the European network , up to a
           maximum of 30.000 ECU per partnership , for a maximum of 2 years .
           Support will also be granted for specific projects exchanging
           experience , up to 50 % of the cost .
     ( b ) Technical assistance consisting of :
           - special measures , including the sending of teams of experts ,
              to advise on or tackle training problems in specific areas or
              regions ;
           - a financial contribution to assist in the developments of the
              training partnerships referred to in ( a ).
           The financial contribution of the Community will consist of a
           maximum of 50.000 ECU per project .
     ( c ) Support for comparative research programmes involving technical
           assistance     for    cooperation   between    designated    agencies
           participating in the cooperative programme .
 ---pagebreak---                                    *23
      A contribution will also be given for the synthesis of the
      cooperative research and for       dissemination   conferences   at
      national and Community level .
      The financial contribution of the Community will consist of a
      maximum of 40.000 ECU per programme of comparative research .
      The contribution for synthesis and dissemination conferences
      will be limited to 50.000 ECU, or 50 % of the cost of the
      conference , whichever is the lower .
( d ) Co-sponsoring of surveys of coverage of youth training measures ,
      which
      - survey trends in the movement of young people through and
        between the education and training systems ;
      - pay attention to specific problems relating to youth
        provision , particularly early drop outs and young people
        living in rural , peripheral and the most deprived areas ;
      - break down results by sex .
      The financial contribution of the Community is limited to a
      maximum of 50.000 ECU per survey .
( e ) Support and technical assistance for establishing the conditions
      for a regular review of the evolution of vocational ,
      qualifications , and the pooling of experience in this field .
( f ) Support for Youth information projects , which
      - involve the production of effective information resources to
        facilitate the transition of young people to adult and working
        life and actively involve young people in the gathering and
        presentation of information ;
      - assist existing agencies in        making their services     more
        accessible to young people ,        especially those whom    they
        normally do not reach ;
      - include a commitment to exchange experience           and  share
        information at national and community level .
      The financial contribution of the Community will consist of a
      maximum of 10.000 ECU per project , representing not more than 50
      % of the cost of the project .
( g ) Support for Youth initiatives , which
      - enable young people to develop skills ,          initiative and
        responsiblity through training , use of the media and new
        technology and through voluntary work and community projects ;
      - assist disadvantaged young people        and the development of
        policies concerning them ;
      - include a commitment to exchange experience           and  share
        information at national and Community level .
 ---pagebreak---       The financial contribution will consist of a maximum of 10.000
      FCU per initiative , representing in general not more than 50 %
      of the cost of the initiative , but up to 80 % in the case of
      initiatives managed entirely by young people .
( h ) The strengthening of the existing scheme for the exchange of
      training specialists , currently organised with the technical
      assistance of CEDEF0P,       giving particular attention to the
      selection of training specialists involved in the implementation
      of the objectives of the Decision .
( i ) Support for regular dialogue to monitor the implementation of
      the Council Decision and associated action programme , by means
      of financial contributions for a series of high-level European
      Conferences .
      The financial contribution of the Community will consist of
      100 . POD ECU per conference , representing not more than 50 % of
      the cost .
Complementary measures may         be  carried out   by the Commission ,
including ;
- dissemination of information and exchange of experience ;
- networking arrangements for         partnerships ,   youth   information
    projects and initiatives ;
- monitoring and analysis at Community level ;
■* assistance for N the organisation of seminars ,        conférences and
    spécifie coopération projects .
 ---pagebreak---                                   FINANCIAL STATENENT
   I.  Budget item
       B 63 4    (partial ).
 II .  Legal basis
       Article 128 of the Treaty .
       Council Décision 63 / 266 / EEC   2 Apri l 1963 .
III .  Classification
       Non compulsory expenditure .
 IV .  Description of measure
        1.   Objectives
             a ) To support , in cooperation with the Member States and the
                 social partners ,      the development and introduction of
                 measures to strengthen links and cooperation at all levels
                 between the vocational education and training systems and
                 with all sectors of the economy both public and private with
                 a view :
                 - to adapting curricula to enhance the capacity of the young
                    people to achieve their full potential and to take account
                    of economic , technological and social change ,
                 - to providing and developing a variety of learning
                    opportunities which reflect working life and the practical
                    realities and needs of the economy and ,
                 - to helping young people as far as possible to develop an
                    understanding of trends in the world of industry,
                    commerce ,   services and agriculture ,   and the further
                    training and employment implications and opportunities for
                    them .
             b ) To support closer cooperation and the bridging of gaps
                 between the various agencies responsible for the vocational
                 education and training and guidance of young people .
 1 . J0 63, 20.4.1963
 ---pagebreak---                                              *>
                                             {
    including as appropriate public , private and voluntary
    bodies and youth organisations at national , regional or
    local levels . Such cooperation , based on the idea of shared
    responsibility for the social and vocational integration of
    young people ,     should be designed to facilitate the
    coordination and cost-effective implementation        of   all
    services and policies aimed at young people by :
    - diversifying the provision for vocational education and
      training so as to offer choice for young people with
      different kinds of ability         leading to recognised
      vocational training qualifications ;
    - allowing for more flexible approaches towards achieving a
      better   balance   between  the need  for  breadth    in the
      programmes on offer and the requirements for necessary
      vocational specialisation .
c ) With respect to the above objectives ,          to encourage
    partnership initiatives which aim to provide an integrated
    approach to the vocational education and training and
    guidance of young people as part of the Community 's active
    employment policy and involve the social partners in the
    dialogue about the setting of training standards .
d ) To encourage a greater use of opportunities which have been
    created outside the traditional systems for a more
    diversified process of guidance and counselling , and also
    promote the      coordinated provision of guidance and
    counselling both during the final period of compulsory
    education and on a continuing basis thereafter in the light
    of the needs of young people , especially young women .
e ) To promote equal opportunities and give special attention to
    young people who are disadvantaged - whether because of
    their culture or race , their mental or physical handicap ,
    their social or economic background or because of their
    levels of attainments as school-leavers ,       in particular
    through :
    - training programmes to assist long-term unemployed young
      people ;
    - measures taken in the final period of compulsory schooling
      to ensure the acquisition of basic skills ;
    - measures taken to enable young women to participate on an
      equal basis in vocational training programmes .
f ) To encourage the development of creativity , self-initiative
    and entrepreneurial spirit to assist young people in taking
    an active part in planning and shaping their own futures ,
    and to help them acquire the skills and confidence necessary
    to enter vocational education and training programmes and / or
 ---pagebreak---           the labour market ,    with particular reference to the
          initiative and adaptability required of workers in small and
          medium-sized enterprises .
      g ) To strengthen the Community dimension in the planning and
          implementation of vocational        education and training
          strategies so as to promote greater flexibility of response
          by the training systems to the complex challenges emerging
          from rapid economic , technological and social change , so
          that training may become a more vital and integral factor in
          both economic and social development .
2.    Persons concerned
      - young people between 15 and 25 years of age receiving
         vocational education or training or who are unemployed ;
      - teachers , training instructors , parents , social workers , people
         working with young people ;
      - the social partners ;
      - training instructors in industry , commerce , the services sector
         and agrictulture .
3.    Institutions concerned
      Institutions responsible for the vocational education and
      training of young people and for preparing them for adult life .
Types of expenditure
Expenditure planned for the promotion ,    implementation , monitoring and
assessment of the following activities :
- European network of partnerships for the training of young people ;
- technical assistance in launching of training partnerships ;
- comparative research in the framework of a Community cooperation
   programme ;
- horizontal examination of impact of training measures for young
   people ;
- examination of vocational skills ;
 ---pagebreak---          - support for youth information projects ;
         - support for youth initiatives ;
         - exchanges of training specialists ;
         - conferences and other events designed to enhance interaction with
            the Member States .
    VI , Basis of calculation ( the figures set out here and in the attached
         table are estimates ).
         1.    Time-schedule       :    non-di f ferentiated    appropriations .      These
               apDropriations remain within the four-year forecasts ( 87-90 ) of
               Chapter 63 ( Article 634 in 1987 preliminary draft budget )
                                                          C A                  P A
               1987                                  * 7.225.000          * 7.225.000
               1988                                    8.030.000            8.030.000
               1989                                    8.500.000            8.500.000
               1990                                    9.300.000            9.300.000
               1991                                  10.000.000           10.000.000   (1 )
               * 3.000.000 of which for dissemination and exploitation of the
                   results and evaluation of the second programme on the
                   transition of young people from school to adult and working
                   life .
         2.    ( a ) Vocational      education      and     training   partnerships     and
                     initiatives
                     The Community will set up a European network of partnerships
                     for the training of young people . The financial contribution
                     by the Community will be limited to the administrative costs
                     of European-sca le activities engendered by the strengthening
                     of links with other similar projects in the framework of the
                     European network up to a maximum of 30.000 ECU per
                     partnership .     It is proposed gradually to link an average of
                     90 partnerships a year , the Community contribution to the
                     financing of each such partnership being limited to a maximum
                     period of 2 years .
                     There will also be support for specific projects entailing
                     exchanges of experience amounting to a maximum 50 % of the
                     costs of the projects .
               ( b ) Technical assistance
                     Technical assistance in launching partnerships and a
                     financial contribution of up to 50.000 ECU per project .
                     Support is planned for an average of 16 projects a year .
( 1 ) These amounts do not include CEDEF0P expenditure ( Article 635 ).
 ---pagebreak---  ( c ) Comparative research
       The Community will provide support for cooperative research
       projects up to a maximum of 40.000 ECU per project .       The
       proposal is to provide support for 5 to 6 comparative
       research projects each year .
       As regards the     dissemination of the results of comparative
       research ,    the    Community will also provide support for
       conferences up     to 50.000 ECU or 50 % of the cost of the
       conferences .     One conference is planned to be financed in
       1987, 3 for the    years 1988-1990 and 12 in 1991 .
( d ) Horizontal examination of impact of training measures
       Co-financing of surveys carried out in the Member States to
       monitor the flow of young people through and between
       education and training systems up to a maximum of 50.000 ECU
       per survey .       5 surveys a year could be financed by the
       Community .
( e ) Review of vocational qualifications
       The Community will provide support for comparative reviews of
       the adaptation of curricula and for establishing the
       conditions for a regular review of the development of
       vocational qualifications with the technical aid of the
       CEDEF0P .
( f ) Youth information projects
       Community support for youth information projects up to a
       maximum of 10.000 ECU per project and not exceeding 50 % of
       the project .       It is planned to support an average of 65
       projects a year .
( g ) Youth initiatives
       Community support for the launching and development of youth
       initiative projects in the form of non-renewable one-year
       subsidies .     Financing up to 50 X of the cost except in the
       case of projects entirely conducted by young people where the
       percentage could reach 80 % subject to a ceiling of 10.000
       ECU per project . The proposal is to support an average of 65
       projects a year .
( h ) Exchanges between training specialists
       Programme already under way ( see CEDEF0P 1986 work programme
       and 1987 preliminary draft budget ).
 ---pagebreak---               ( i ) Conférences
                    Organization of a series of European conferences -       Financial
                    assistance per conference : 100.000 ECU not exceeding 50 % of
                    the total cost .     The intention is to finance 1 in 1987, 2 in
                    1988 and 1989 , 4 in 1990 and 12 in 1991 .
                    The Community will provide support for a series of activities
                    intended   to    enhance  the   effectiveness   of  policies   and
                    initiatives implemented in this field and will grant
                    technical and financial assistance for exchanges of
                    experience , the promotion of the network , the organization of
                    seminars , conferences and specific cooperation projects . The
                    services of specialized institutions and organizations will
                    be called on in connection with technical aspects and for the
                    purposes of assessment .
      3.      Community finance as 'a proportion of          the total   cost of   the
              measure
              Variable     according     to  the   measures   undertaken   under   the
              programme .
      4.      Table
              European Community action programme for the training                 and
              preparation of young people for adult and working life .
VII . Observations
      The total budgets for the years 1987 to 1990 set out under VI . 4 of the
      Table do not exceed the Commission’s four-year budgetary forecasts for
      Chapter 63.
VIII Financial impact on staff and administrative appropriations
      Staff required as from 1987 :
      1     A7 / A4 Management of action programme
      1     A7 / A4 Implementation and development of network of training
                     partnerships
      1 / 2 A7 / A4 Coordination of youth projects
      1     B        Management of action programme contracts
      1 /2 B         Technical préparation for meetings , seminars , coopération
                     projects , etc .
      2     C        Secretaries .
      These staff requirements which imply an addition to the existing
      complement of :1         A7 / A4
 ---pagebreak---                                 St
               1   В
               1   C
are based on the hypothesis set out above that the programme will be
managed with the technical assistance of external bodies , especially
as regards the exchange of experiences , promotion of networks ,
development of cooperation projects and the organization and
monitoring of various events .   Extra staff will be provided through
internal redeployment and in the context of the hearings held in
January 1987 .
 ---pagebreak---                                                       FINANCIAL ESTIMATES ( in ECU )
                                                               1987 - 1991
                    Action                 1987                   1988                 1989       1990        1991
 a ) - Training Partnerships             1.200.000              3.000 . 000          3.000.000 3.300.000   3.300.000
     - Spécifie projects , exchanges       310.000                310.000              450.000    480.000     480.000
       of expérience
b ) Technical assistance                   600.000              1.000 . 000          1.200.000 1.200.000      500.000
 c ) - Synthesis of comparative research   160.000                320.000              320.000    320.000
     _ Conferences - synthesis              50.000                150.000              150.000    150.000    600.000
d ) Examination of impact of               250.000                250.000              250.000    250.000    250.000
     training measures
e ) Review of vocational                    50.000                250.000              250.000    250.000     250.000
     qualifications
f ) Youth information projects             400.000                600.000              650.000    700.000    900.000
g ) Youth initiatives                      400.000                600.000              650.000    700.000    900.000
h ) Exchanges of training                    p • ni »               p.m .                p.m .      p•m•        p.m .
     specialists
i ) Conférences                            100.000                200.000              200.000   400.000   1.200.000
Technical assistance for the
exchange of experience , networking ,
organisation of seminars ,                 705.000              1.350.000            1.380.000 1.550.000   1.620.000
conferences and specific
cooperation projects .
                        TOTAL            4.225.000              8.030.000            8.500.000 9.300.000  10.000.000
                                                                                                                      00
                                                                                                                      N>
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                 33
NOTE ON IMPACT OF CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE ACTS ON THE SME AND EMPLOYMENT
1.  Administrative obligations for firms arising from the application of the
     Legislation
    There are no binding obligations on firms . In the case of those wishing
    to take part in training partnerships, the cooperation measures implemented
    will entail certain administrative procedures .
2.  Advantages for firms
    - Yes
    - Possibility of recruiting young workers who have received better voca¬
       tional training and are better prepared for adult and working life , in
       that they have gained a knowledge of the employment market in general
       and experience of work from school onwards .
3.  Disadvantages for industry ( additional costs )
    - At the discretion of the individual firm .    Financial assistance will be
       provided for partnerships, covering the cost of participation in the
       European network , exchange of experience etc , etc .
4.  Effects on employment
    The advantage for employers in general of being able to recruit properly
    skilled and trained young people . Some concentration during the training
    period on developing young people 's sense of initiative and enterprise .
    Support for young people who want to undertake their own projects and thus
    help them to create their own employment in the future and to be better
    prepared to meet the requirements of flexibility and adaptability,
    especially in the light of the conditions of employment in small
    enterprises .
5.  Will there be prior consultation with the social partners ?
    - Yes , in the framework of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training ,
       a tripartite committee .
    - Opinion attached to the Decision .
 ---pagebreak---                                      зч
6. Is there an alternative , less binding , approach ?
   There is nothing binding in the Act .
 ---pagebreak---                                         35
                             NOTE ON SINGLE ACT
1. The legal basis for this proposal , which will not be affected by the
   Single Act , is Article 128 of the Treaty .
2. The cooperation procedure does not apply to decisions taken with a
   simple majority .
 ---pagebreak---                                          3&
           Opinion of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training
                delivered at its meeting on Kay 27 and 28 , 1986
                                       on
     The Commission 's Working Document " The Training and Preparation of
                    Young People for Adult and Working Life "
The Advisory Committee of Vocational Training , at its plenary session on
May 28 , 1986 , welcomed the working document in general and its analysis of
the current situation in so far as it related to the European Community as
a whole . It noted that in part this document was based on the Commission 's
review of youth training policies since 1983 ( COM 86 / 285 final ).
The Committee noted in particular the need for the Council and Commission to
implement the mandate of the European Council meeting in Milan on 28-29 June 1985 ,
which called for "Memter States to do their utmost , within national policies ,
whenever possible in association with enterprises and social partners ,
to ensure that all young people wishing to do so receive one year 's or
if possible two years' vocational training in addition to their compulsory
education ". In this context the Committee was of the opinion that this
wording should feature as such in the Commission 's definitive proposals .
The Committee also took the view that this formulation should be complemented
by a reference to the need to see this commitment in the context of the
Community 's active policies to promote youth employment .    In order to clarify
the terms of reference of the document , the Committee moreover was of the
opinion that the term " vocational education and training " should be used
throughout the text , where appropriate .
The Committee then stressed the importance of ensuring the quality of training
provisions , the setting of standards for training in close dialogue with the
social partners , and the need to ensure the possibility for progression of
all young people within and between the education and trailing systems .
Training should lead to recognised qualifications , linked to the mainstream
of vocational qualifications , as defined on a national basis .
The Committee was of the opinion that :
(i )    To achieve these aims , Member States should support in cooperation with
        the social partners the development and introduction of measures to
        strengthen links and cooperation at all levels between the vocational
        education and training systems and with all sectors of the economy both
        public and private with a view :
        - to adapt curricula to enhance the capacity of the young people to
          achieve their full potential and to take account of economic ,
          technological and social change ,
        - to provide and develop a variety of learning opportunities which
          reflect working life and the practical realities and needs of the
          economy and ,
        - to help young people as far as possible to develop an understanding
          of trends in the world of industry , commerce , services and agricul ¬
          ture , and the further training and employment implications and
          opportunities for them .
 ---pagebreak---                                             IPr
( ii )     Member States should promote measures designed to forge closer coope-
         • ration and bridge the gaps between the various agencies responsible
           for the training and guidance of young people , including as appro¬
           priate public , private and voluntary bodies and youth organisations
           at national , regional or local levels . Such cooperation should be
           based on the idea of shared responsibility for the social and voca ¬
           tional integration of young people , and should facilitate the
           coordination and cost-effective implementation of all services and
           policies aimed at young people .
           In this context , Member States should take steps to :
           - diversify the provision for vocational education and training so as
             to offer choices for young people with different kinds of ability
             leading to recognised vocational training qualifications ;
           - allow for mere flexible approaches towards achieving a better
             balance between the need for breadth in the programmes on offer and
             the requirements for necessary vocational specialisation .
( iii )    Member States should encourage greater use of opportunities which have
           been created outside the traditional systems for a more diversified
           process of guidance and counselling , and also promote the coordinated
           provision of guidance and counselling both during the final period
           of compulsory education and on a continuing basis thereafter in the
           light of the needs of young people , especially young women ;
( iv )     Memter States should promote equal opportunities and give special
           attention to young people who are disadvantaged - whether because of
           their culture or race , their mental or physical handicap , their social
           or economic background or because cf their levels of attainments as
           school-leavers . Special attention should also be given to the develop ¬
           ment of training programmes which could be of assistance to long-term
           unemployed young people . Member States should support measures to
           enable young people to develop the attitudes and basic skills ( such
           as literacy , numeracy , handling new information technologies ) so that
           they may secure access to appropriate training or employment .
(v)        Member States should ercourage the development of creativity , self ¬
           initiative and entrepreneurial spirit as an important objective ,
           enabling young people to take an active part in shaping and planning
           their own futures and to cope with continuing change , and to support
           initiatives which help young people themselves to develop such skills
           and experience .
In order to complement and back up the measures taken by Member States , the
Committee was of the opinion that the Commission should continue with its
activities to encourage innovation and the qualitative improvement of vocatio¬
nal education and training systems . The objectives of the Community-level
actions in the context of youth training policies should be designed as follows
(( ii ))   to promote a European dimension to the oeveloping training policies , by
           stimulating cooperative projects and research and by pooling experience
           and exchanging information ;
 ---pagebreak---                                         2>t
( ii )  to draw attention throughout the Community to the importance of
        mobilising all available resources so as to raise standards and increase
        the effectiveness of vocational education and training for young people ,
        and to demonstrate the value of partnership initiatives which aim to
        provide an integrated approach to the vocational education and training
        of young people ;
Ciii )  to give a multiplier value to the various partnership initiatives within
        individual Member States by arranging for the twinning of projects
        concerning vocational education and training within the framework of a
        European network designed to ensure the continuing transfer of expe ¬
        rience of promising practices and to add a European dimension to the
        efforts of those involved ;
( iv )  to encourage young people to play a more active part themselves in the
        planning and management of projects which enhance their potential to
        cope with economic , technological and social change , and help them
        acquire the skills and confidence necessary to enter vocational educa ¬
        tion and training programmes or the labour market ;
(v)     to support the multiplicity of initiatives aimed at improving the
        social and professional integration of young people , and to increase
        efforts to combat youth unemployment .
These objectives should govern the choice of the specific actions to be pursued
at Community level during the period 1987-1992 . Moreover , the Advisory
Committee was of the opinion that the policies and measures adopted by the
Council as a result ofthe Commission 's forthcoming initiative should be fully
taken into account in the context of the review at Community level of the
coordinated use of the structural funds , notably the European Social Fund .
The Committee welcomed in general the proposed measures set out in the
Commission 's working document ( paras 19-32 ), in particular the creation cf a
European network of partnership initiatives in the field of vocational
education and training for young people . The Committee also welcomed the
proposed monitoring and analysis of training measures at Community level ,
as the basis for a continuing exchange cf experience and information between
Member States . Most memters of the Committee were cf the opinion that the
 Commission should encourage initiatives directly involving young people
themselves especially where such initiatives lead to training or employment .
 Finally , the Committee stressed the vital importance of strengthening coope ¬
 ration between the social partners and the education , training and labour
market authorities in the further development of youth training policies at
 Community level .
The Advisory Committee requested the Commission to take this opinion , together
with the various declarations recorded in the minutes , into account in the
formulation of its proposals for submission to the Council .