86/365/EEC: Council Decision of 24 July 1986 adopting the programme on cooperation between universities and enterprises regarding training in the field of technology (Comett)

COUNCIL  DECISION
of 24 July 1986
adopting the programme on cooperation between universities and enterprises regarding training in the field of technology (COMETT)
(86/365/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 128 and 235 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, sixth, seventh, ninth and 10th principles thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (4),
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  broadening vocational training on the basis of a general education to meet requirements arising from technical progress and relating closely the different forms of vocational training to the various sectors of the economy;
Whereas it is not certain that the Treaty has provided all the powers required for the adoption of this Decision, which appears necessary in order to attain, in the course of the operation of the common market, the objectives of the Community and, in particular, the harmonious development of economic activities throughout its territory; whereas it would therefore appear justifiable, in the interest of certainty as to the law, to have recourse in addition to Article 235 of the Treaty;
Whereas the Council has already agreed on Community action in this field through its resolution of 2 June 1983 concerning vocational training measures and new information technologies (5) as well as through the resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, of 19 September 1983 on measures relating to the introduction of new information technology in education (6);
Whereas the Council in its conclusions of 7 June 1984 on technological change and social adjustment (7) requested the Commission to develop, and where necessary, to initiate, work with the purpose of strengthening cooperation between industry and training institutions, in particular advanced training institutions with a view to improving the provision of initial training and the imparting of new skills to those whose employment is affected by technological innovations;
Whereas the Council has adopted measures with a view to strengthening technological cooperation at Community level, in particular with its Decisions 85/141/EEC (8), 85/195/EEC (9), 85/196/EEC (10) and 85/197/EEC (11) concerning ESPRIT, Biotechnology, BRITE and the plan to stimulate European scientific and technical cooperation and interchange;
Whereas the European Council, at its meeting in March 1985, reiterated the importance of strengthening the technological base and competitiveness of industry and, in that context, emphasized the necessity to make better use of human resources, in particular by means of increased cooperation between higher education and industry;
Whereas at its meeting on 3 June 1985 the Council and the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, exchanged views on objectives for joint action in this field;
Whereas on 24 May 1983 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the competitiveness of Community industry (1) in which it called for efforts to be made in vocational training and training for managers of undertakings; whereas that resolution complements the resolution concerning measures of vocational training relating to the introduction of new information technologies (2) and the other resolutions, notably those rela-  ting to higher education and the development of cooperation between higher-education institutions (3) and on the Community research and development programme in the field of information technologies (4) and on a plan to stimulate European cooperation and scientific and technical interchange (5);
Whereas on 3 June 1985 the Council adopted the resolution on equal opportunities for girls and boys in education and training (6); whereas on that basis, the development, at Community level of a human resources strategy must involve representatives of both sexes;
Whereas the exploitation of technological developments throughout industry will depend on the versatility, skills and enterprise of the workforce; whereas, in this context, there is an urgent need to develop, at Community level, appropriate Community policies as a complement to an overall Community strategy for industrial research and development and innovation policies;
Whereas cooperation between university and enterprise in the field of training must be developed both within Member States, particularly at local and regional level, and be assisted by Community measures involving, as far as possible, existing bodies in the Member States,
After wide-ranging consultations on the subject organized by the Commission, and having regard in particular to the opinion of the Advisory Committee for Vocational  Training,