89/657/EEC: Council Decision of 18 December 1989 establishing an action programme to promote innovation in the field of vocational training resulting from technological change in the European Community (Eurotecnet)

COUNCIL DECISION of 18 December 1989 establishing an action programme to promote innovation in the field of vocational training resulting from technological change in the European Community (Eurotecnet) (89/657/EEC)
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 (1), and in particular the second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth and tenth principles set out therein,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (2), drawn up following consultation of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (4),
Whereas, at its meetings in London on 5 and 6 December 1986 and Madrid on 26 and 27 June 1989, the European Council emphasized both the importance of Community actions directed towards the improvement of training and the fundamental nature of the  upgrading of human resources through training for economic and social development;
Whereas the Council, in its resolution of 22 December 1986 on an action programme on employment growth (5), took the view that an indispensable element in employment growth was the upgrading of vocational training, an improvement in the level of  qualifications and the development of cooperation between the social partners;
Whereas the Council, in its resolution of 5 June 1989 on continuing vocational training (6), stressed the essential role of continuing vocational training in making full use of human resources with a view to completion of the internal market;
Whereas, in the context of the social dialogue, a joint opinion adopted on 6 March 1987 stressed the need for effective training for workers and managerial staff in the new technologies;
Whereas, in its Decision 87/569/EEC (7), the Council adopted an action programme for the vocational training of young people and their preparation for adult and working life, stressing the need to develop the capacity of vocational training systems to  adapt to rapid technological, economic and social change;
Whereas, in its Decision 89/27/EEC (Comett II) (8), the Council reiterated the importance it attached to cooperation between universities and industry regarding vocational training in the field of advanced technology;
Whereas technological and industrial cooperation in the field of research and development, was the subject of Decisions 88/279/EEC (Esprit) (9), 85/196/EEC (Brite/Euram) (10), 88/419/EEC (Science) (11), 88/417/EEC (Delta) (12) and 89/286/EEC (Sprint)  (13);
Whereas measures to supplement the instruments adopted by the Council should be adopted in order to promote the adaptability of vocational training systems to technological change and in order to contribute to the achievement of the principle of  economic and social cohesion;
Whereas the Commission work programme for 1985 to 1988, which was the subject of a Commission communication to the Council on 18 April 1985, made consequent to the Council resolution of 2 June 1983 concerning vocational training measures relating to new  information technologies (14) demonstrated the importance of developing cooperation between the Member States with a view to making full use of the possibilities offered by new technologies in vocational training systems;
Whereas the usefulness of technological development for industry depends on the adaptability of the qualifications and the spirit of enterprise of the workforce; whereas it is necessary to reinforce Community initiatives directed towards making optimum  use, within this programme, of
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human resources and investment in vocational training; whereas vocational training plays an important role in the strategy of achieving the internal market;
Whereas in extending the Council resolution of 3 November 1986 concerning the action programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (15), provision should be made for such enterprises to participate in the implementation of this programme and  in the dissemination of the results achieved;
Whereas both sides of industry at Community level have repeatedly asked to be fully associated in the implementation of such programmes.