Communication on lifelong learning approved
Communication on lifelong learning approved
The European Commission has adopted a communication on a European area of lifelong learning. The communication proposes:
developing partnerships between national, regional and local government,education institutions, career-guidance centres, trade unions and employer organizations;
establishing a detailed analysis of the shape of education and learning in the knowledge society;
encouraging substantial growth in public and private investment in apprenticeship schemes, perhaps through tax incentives for people hoping to acquire training;
providing more information on learning opportunities, particularly for ethnic minorities, the disabled and people living in rural areas; and
setting up quality-control measures and progress indicators.
The Commission plans to establish a Europe-wide system for accumulating qualifications, along the lines of the European Community course credit transfer system used by universities. The EU will also try to improve the European dimension of information, guidance and advice services and will later this year launch an internet portal on apprenticeship offers in EU member states and candidate countries. The European Investment Bank will be encouraged to support lifelong education and training through the Innovation 2000 framework. Viviane Reding, European commissioner, commented:
The competitiveness of the European economy depends on the quality of human capital. We want lifelong learning to become entrenched in people's mentalities, even in member states where this is not a tradition.
She said that, if current trends continued, there would be a growing mismatch between European labour-market supply and demand. The number of retired people is growing, there are declining numbers of people of working age, and too few skilled workers. Mrs Reding pointed out that the USA spends 6.4 per cent of national wealth on education and training, compared with 5 per cent in Europe. Some 34 per cent of US workers take advantage of continuing vocational training,compared with 16 per cent in Europe.
