European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training: a conference report

Although the Commission of the European Economic Community has been firmly established for some while now, the Governments and Departments of member states remain, quite naturally, somewhat suspicious of its recommendations. Its ability to influence action is therefore limited. Even quite reasonable reports and recommendations may not penetrate the suspicions. One technique used by the Commission is to establish fairly independent study and research institutes, so that work that is the result of impartial study of common problems may be received without the taint of the more directly political Commission at Brussels. One such organisation established late last year is the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, set up with its Headquarters in Berlin. At the present time its staff are few in number and their first few months have been spent in making and developing contacts throughout the member states and establishing what the priority areas for study and evaluation are.