WHITE PAPER ON EDUCATION AND

TRAINING

TEACHING AND LEARNING

***

TOWARDS THE LEARNING

SOCIETY
"We must have the courage to examine everything, discuss
everything and even to teach everything"
Condorcet

FOREWORD

This White Paper is part of a process designed simultaneously to

provide an analysis and to put forward guidelines for action in the
fields of education and training. It takes forward the White Paper
"Growth, competitiveness, employment", which stressed the
importance for Europe of intangible investment, particularly in
education and research. This investment in knowledge plays an
essential role in employment, competitiveness and social
cohesion. This White Paper whilst looking forward to the Madrid
European Council meeting, draws upon the conclusions of the
Cannes European Council of June 1995, which state that:
"Training and apprenticeship policies, which are fundamental for
improving employment and competitiveness, must be
strengthened, especially continuing training".

Articles 126 and 127 of the Treaty establishing the European

Community stipulate respectively that "the Community shall
contribute to the development of quality education by
encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if
necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action" and
that "the Community shall implement a vocational training policy
which shall support and supplement the action of the Member
States".

These articles are the clear basis for the debate which the
Commission, in presenting this White Paper, intends to launch in
1996, the year which the Council and the European Parliament have
chosen as the European Year of Lifelong

Learning.

After describing what is at stake and analysing the changes

which need to be considered, while respecting the principle of
subsidiarity, the White Paper sets out the action to be taken in
the Member States and the support measures to be introduced at
Community level. The main lines of action at the European level
envisaged for 1996 include objectives to:

encourage the acquisition of new knowledge;

bring school and the business sector closer together;

combat exclusion;

develop proficiency in three European languages;

treat capital investment and investment in training on an equal

basis.

I
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
1
PART ONE: THE CHALLENGES
5
I.
THE THREE FACTORS OF UPHEAVAL
5

A.
The impact of the information society
6

B.
The impact of internationalisation
7

C.The impact of scientific and technological knowledge

7
II.
A FIRST APPROACH:

FOCUSING ON A BROAD KNOWLEDGE BASE

9

A.
Grasping the meaning of things
10

B.
Comprehension and creativity
11

C.
Powers of judgement and decision making
11

A SECOND RESPONSE:
DEVELOPING EVERYONE'S EMPLOYABILITY

AND CAPACITY FOR ECONOMIC LIFE

12

A.
What are the skills required ?
12

B.
How can a person become employable ?
14
IV.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
22

A.
The end of debate on educational principles
22

B.
The central question: towards greater flexibility
23

C.
Action in the Member States
23

D.
New developments
25

I
I
PART TWO: BUILDING THE LEARNING SOCIETY
28
I.
FIRST GENERAL OBJECTIVE :

"ENCOURAGE THE ACQUISITION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE"

32

A.
Recognition of skills
32

B.
Mobility
33

C.
Multimedia educational software
33
II.
SECOND GENERAL OBJECTIVE :

"BRING SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS CLOSER TOGETHER"

36

A.
Apprenticeship/Trainees schemes
37

B.
Vocational training
38
III.
THIRD GENERAL OBJECTIVE : "COMBAT EXCLUSION"
40

A.
Second chance schools
40

B.
European voluntary service
42
IV.
FOURTH GENERAL OBJECTIVE :
"PROFICIENCY IN THREE COMMUNITY LANGUAGES"
44

FIFTH GENERAL OBJECTIVE :

"TREAT CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND INVESTMENT IN TRAINING

ON A EQUAL BASIS"
47
GENERAL CONCLUSION
50
Annex 1
: Some data and figures
52
Annex 2
: Examples of Community programmes in the field of education

and training
55
Annex 3
: The educational world of Alyat Hanoar
60
Annex 4
: The experience of "Accelerated schools" in the USA
62

II
I
INTRODUCTION

Much of the effort made in recent years to stem the rise of

unemployment in Europe has not had lasting effects. Jobs
created in the wake of a return to periods of higher growth have
not reversed the long term trends. Long term unemployment
continues to increase and the spread of social exclusion,
particularly among young people, has become a major problem in
our societies.

Education and training have now emerged as the latest means for
tackling the employment problem. It may be surprising that the
realisation of the role they can play has come so late and that it has
taken an economic recession to bring it about. Yet it is unfair to
expect education and training alone to make up for every failure:
education and training cannot solve the employment problem on
their own or, more generally, the problem of the competitiveness of
industries and services.

Moreover, while it is true that the Treaty on European Union has

opened up scope for Community action in these areas, it also
states explicitly that the role at European level is to support and
supplement action taken by the Member States.

Be that as it may, the countries of Europe today have no other

option. If they are to hold their own and continue to be a
reference point in the world, they have to build on the progress
brought about through closer economic ties by more substantial
investment in knowledge and skills.

The Commission established the general framework for its

analysis in its White

Paper "Growth, competitiveness and employment", drawn up on

the initiative of

Jacques Delors, which stressed that the development of

education and training is one of the conditions for the
development of a new model of more employment-intensive
growth.

The Essen European Council of December 1994 confirmed this in

its conclusions and re-affirmed them in Cannes in June 1995, in
the light of the report from the

Advisory Group on Competitiveness.

There are two major challenges: firstly, providing immediate
solutions to current education and training needs; secondly,
preparing the future and outlining an overall approach capable of
assembling the efforts of the Member States and those of the
European Union, each acting within its area of competence.

Since the 1960's, Community action in education and training has

had significant results in terms of cooperation, exchanges of
experience, supporting innovation and the development of
training products and materials. It has also boosted decisively
European mobility of students and people in training. It has also
contributed to the promotion of learning Community languages
and to the development of communication between European
citizens (see annex 2).

The basis of this White Paper is the concerns of every European

citizen, young or adult, who faces the problem of adjusting to new
conditions of finding a job and

-1
-
changes in the nature of work. No social category, no profession,
no trade is spared this problem.

The internationalisation of trade, the global context of

technology and, above all, the arrival of the information society,
have boosted the possibilities of access to information and
knowledge for people, but at the same time have as a
consequence changed work organization and the skills learned.
This trend has increased uncertainty for all and for some has led
to intolerable situations of exclusion.

It is clear that the new opportunities offered to people require an

effort from each one to adapt, particularly in assembling one's
own qualifications on the basis of

'building blocks' of knowledge acquired at different times and in

various situations.

The society of the future will therefore be a learning society. In

the light of this it is evident that education systems - which
means primarily the teachers - and all of those involved in
training have a central role to play. The social partners, in
exercising their responsibilities, including through collective
bargaining, have a particularly important role, as these
developments will condition the working environment of the
future.

Education and training will increasingly become the main

vehicles for self-awareness, belonging, advancement and self-
fulfilment. Education and training whether acquired in the formal
education system, on the job or in a more informal way, is the key
for everyone to controlling their future and their personal
development.

Education and training remain one of the determining factors in

equality of opportunity. Education systems have already played
an essential role in the emancipation and the social and
professional advancement of women. Education can and must
contribute further to the crucial equality between men and
women.

Immaterial investment and getting the best out of our human

resources will improve competitiveness, boost jobs and
safeguard social achievements. The individual's place in relation
to their fellow citizens will increasingly be determined by their
capacity to learn and master fundamental knowledge.

The position of everyone in relation to their fellow citizens in the

context of knowledge and skills therefore will be decisive. This
relative position which could be called the "learning relationship"
will become an increasingly dominant feature in the structure of
our societies.

The ability to renew and innovate will depend on the links

between the development of knowledge in research and its
transmission through education and training. In all this,
communication will be essential both for generating and
disseminating ideas.

The future of the EU and its development will depend largely on

its ability to manage the progress towards this new society. The
objective is to make it into a just and progressive society based
on its cultural wealth and diversity. There is a

-2
-
need to whet society's appetite for education and training
throughout life. There needs to be permanent and broad access
to a number of different forms of knowledge. In addition, the level
of skill achieved by each and everyone will have to be converted
into an instrument for measuring individual performance in a way
which will safeguard equal rights for workers as far as possible.

There is no single pattern for all to follow throughout their

working lives. Everyone must be able to seize their opportunities
for improvement in society and for personal fulfilment,
irrespective of their social origin and educational background.
This particularly applies to the most disadvantaged groups who
lack the family and social environment to enable them to make
the most of the general education provided by school. These
groups should be given the chance not just to catch up, but to
gain access to new knowledge which could help to bring out their
abilities.

Given the diversity of national situations and the inadequacy of

global solutions in this context, proposing a model is not the answer.
This would be doomed to failure given the pivotal role of the
individual in the construction of the learning society and the social
and cultural diversity of the Member States. The purpose of this

White Paper is to plot out the route to this new society by

identifying the options available to the EU in education and
training. Its suggestions, guidelines and aims are intended to
support and supplement education and training policies, the
responsibility for which rests first and foremost with national,
regional and local authorities. The objective is not to impose
common rules, but rather on the basis of a broad debate to
identify the points of convergence and the actions capable of
meeting the current challenges.

The diversity of the education systems of the EU

notwithstanding, there is a European approach to education
based on common historic roots, from which stems the success
of cooperation between higher education establishments, for
example, in the ERASMUS programme which has provided
mobility for 500,000 young students.

In the new context of the internationalisation of the economy,

dissemination of new technologies and the risk of cultural
uniformity, Europe more than ever before is an appropriate level
for action. This will in the future be amply borne out by the
impact of the free movement of people, which will make it
essential for national education and training systems to consider
the European dimension.

To examine education and training in the context of employment

does not mean reducing them simply to a means of obtaining
qualifications. The essential aim of education and training has
always been personal development and the successful
integration of Europeans into society through the sharing of
common values, the passing on of cultural heritage and the
teaching of self-reliance.

However, this essential function of social integration is today

under threat unless it is accompanied by the prospect of
employment. The devastating personal and social effects of
unemployment are uppermost in the minds of every family, every

-3
-
young person in initial training and everyone on the labour
market. The best way for education to continue to exercise this
essential function is to seek to provide a convincing response to
alleviate these concerns. The very foundations of any European
society purporting to teach its children the principles of
citizenship would be undermined if this teaching were to fail to
provide for job prospects.

In the face of unemployment and technological upheaval, training

must go beyond the framework of initial education and develop
an on-going capacity for the renewal of the technical and
vocational skills of workers around a solid, broad knowledge
base.

This White Paper takes the view that in modern Europe the three
essential requirements of social integration, the enhancement of
employability and personal fulfilment, are not incompatible. They
should not be brought into conflict, but should on the contrary be
closely linked. Europe's assets in the area of science, the depth
of its culture, the capacity of its business, industry and
institutions should enable it both to pass on its fundamental
values and prepare for employment. This presupposes that
European society stays tuned to the underlying trends at work
within it.

On this basis, the White Paper considers in turn:

– the importance of education and training to Europe in the

current context of technological and economic change; and

– the guidelines for action in the pursuit of objectives to build up

high-quality education and training.

-4
-
namely: the onset of the
PART ONE: THE CHALLENGES information society; the
impact of the scientific and
technological world; and the
As this century draws to its
internationalisation of the
close, we can see that the
economy. These events are
causes of change in society
contributing towards the
have been diverse and have
development of the learning
affected our education and
society. They bring risks, but
training systems in different
also opportunities which
ways. Demographic trends
must be seized.
have increased life
expectancy radically The construction of this
changing at the same time society will depend on the
the age structure of the ability to respond in two
population, thereby important ways to the
increasing the need for implications of these events.
lifelong learning. The The first
substantial rise in the number
of working women has altered
the traditional place of the
family in relation to school
and the upbringing of
children. Expansion of
technical innovation in all
areas has generated new
knowledge requirements.

Consumption patterns and

lifestyles have changed. In
addition, people have been
alerted to environmental
problems and the use of
natural resources and this
has affected both education
and training systems and
industrial activities.

Three major, profound and

wide-ranging factors of
upheaval have emerged,
however, which have
transformed the context of
economic activity and the
way our societies function in
a radical and lasting manner,
response focuses on the need
for a broad knowledge base Europe has been confronted
and the second is designed to by global technological and
build up abilities for economic developments in a
employment and economic context of unemployment
life. levels higher than in other
parts of the world and an
Establishing the learning increase in social exclusion.
society will also depend on This has led some to consider
how those involved and the technology as an intrinsic and
institutions in education and definitive obstacle to
training pursue the employment growth, while
developments already under others believe that the level
way in the Member States. of social protection in those
countries hardest hit has
generated fixed costs which
I. The three factors of need to be seriously
reconsidered. It has forced
upheaval
others back into a
nationalistic shell which can
Like the rest of the world,
be interpreted as an inability
Europe has to face up to the
to devise and build a new
effects of the widespread
model of society.
dissemination of information
technologies, pressure on the This White Paper considers
world market and a relentless that
onward march of science and
technology. These challenges European society is in a
represent a step forward by transitional phase towards a
placing people in a closer new
relationship with another.
-5
-
form of society beyond technologies are bringing
current short term forecasts. about a new industrial
revolution which already
A. The impact of the looks to be as important and
information society radical as those which
preceded it".
The report "Europe and the
global information society" This revolution like previous
(May 1994), produced by the ones will have consequences
high-level group chaired by Mr for work and employment.
Bangemann, stressed,
It has not been demonstrated
"that throughout the world, that new technologies reduce
information and employment levels. Some
telecommunications technologically advanced
countries have created contributing to the
around the new information disappearance of routine and
related activities, a number of repetitive work which can be
jobs comparable, indeed in codified, programmed and
some cases higher, than automated. Work content will
those lost in other areas. increasingly be made up of
intelligent tasks requiring
It is however certain that initiative and the ability to
information technologies adapt.
have radically changed the
Although it makes the
nature of work and the
decentralisation of tasks
organisation of production.
easier, information
These changes are currently
technology coordinates these
affecting deeply European
tasks in interactive on-line
society.
communication networks
Mass production is declining which function equally well
and making room for a more across continents as from
customized type of production. one office and floor to
The traditional pattern of another. The result is
growth in paid employment, i.e. simultaneously a higher level
full time and permanent, of individual autonomy for
appears to be on the decline. workers, but a less clear
Production relationships and perception of the context of
conditions of employment are their actions. The new
changing. Corporate technologies have a twofold
effect. On the one hand, they
organisation considerably increase the
is role of the human factor in
increasingly the production process, while
turning on the other make workers
towards more vulnerable to changes
in work organisation because
flexibility
they are mere individuals
and
within a complex network.
decentralisation. The search
Information technologies are
for flexibility, the
making significant inroads
development of networked-
into production-related
based cooperation, the
activities and into education
increased use of
and training, thus bringing
subcontracting, the
the
development of work in
teams, are some of the 'learning system' and the
consequences of information 'producing system' closer
technology. together. There is a marked
convergence between the
Information technology is
world of work and the world the capacities required are
of learning/training as far as concerned.
-6
-
Change connected with This is why the Commission,
information technology has particularly at the G7 meeting
wide economic and social on the information society in
consequences for the Brussels in February 1995,
development of: self- stressed the need to stimulate
employment; service European production of
industries; new forms of work educational software. The
organisation known as the information society is going to
change teaching methods by
"learning organisation";
replacing the excessively
management
passive teacher/pupil
decentralisation; and flexible
relationship with a new - and
working hours.
seemingly promising
The information society,
- interactive relationship. At
notwithstanding the new
the same time, however,
knowledge techniques it
changing teaching methods
heralds, raises the question
does not affect the content of
of whether the educational
the material taught.
content it carries will
enhance or, on the contrary, B. The impact of
diminish the knowledge of the
individual. The focus up to internationalisation
now has been on the
potential offered by The internationalisation of
information highways, the economy is the second
through the revolutionary factor of upheaval, which has
quasi-instantaneousness that given rise to unprecedented
the freedom of movement for
capital, goods and services.
INTERNET, for instance,
brings to contacts between Sooner than is generally
firms, researchers and believed, a global and
academics. The fear is the distinctive labour market will
risk that the quality of multi- emerge. Large and small
media products, particularly companies, and even the
in educational software, mobile professions, are
could lead to knowledge of already using "teleporting" to
the "lowest common have work done on-line in low-
denominator" in which people wage countries.
lose their historical,
geographical and cultural In its White Paper "Growth,
bearings. competitiveness and
employment" the Commission
opted clearly for a Europe environmental protection,
open to the rest of the world solidarity between the
but stressed that its future regions and through real
developments should have a progress in the field of
distinct education and training, e.g. in
European dimension, placing the ERASMUS programme.
particular emphasis on the
preservation of the European Yet, Europe still needs to
social model. demonstrate to ordinary
Internationalisation thus people that it is not there just
simply strengthens Europe's to make regulations, but that
position on the world stage. it is close to their everyday
In a changing and uncertain concerns.
world,
This option, involves
Europe is a natural level of improving the
organisation. This has been competitiveness of our
shown through trade policy, economies, and will increase
technical harmonisation, the quality of life
-7
-
through more efficient products (e.g. special alloys
distribution of resources in for sports equipment,
the world. It nevertheless biological processes for
implies major adjustments in environmental industries) and
every country. scientific research needs
equipment with a high degree
There is a risk of a social rift of technical sophistication
with all the adverse and even (e.g. supercomputers, high-
drastic consequences this performance communications
may entail. networks, human genomes).

The impact of scientific and But instead of celebrating

technological knowledge progress as was the case a
century ago, public opinion
The developments and often perceives scientific
dissemination of scientific ventures and technological
and technical knowledge is progress as a threat.
accelerating.

A new model of production of These growing anxieties are a

knowledge and know-how is significant feature of the end
emerging, combining extreme of this century. Paradoxically,
specialisation and cross- whereas science is making
disciplinary creativeness. significant progress
Industry relies increasingly
(limiting, if not overcoming
on science to develop new
famine and many diseases,
increasing life expectancy, the transition from the Middle
providing faster Ages to the Renaissance.
communication etc.), this
progress is for many people Media coverage also presents
matched by a sense of fear a violent picture, re-enforcing
which has some parallels in these anxieties.

To tackle this crisis better

information is essential but
insufficient on its own. It is by
disseminating knowledge that
this irrational climate can be
overcome. By demonstrating
the link between science and
the progress of mankind, while
being fully aware of its
limitations, today's scientific
and technological world will be
accepted and in a better
position to spread widely an
innovative culture.

In many European countries,

the response is pitched at
two levels, cultural and
ethical.

The promotion of a scientific

and technical culture is the
subject of a sustained effort
by the public authorities.

Activities at national level on

this issue have, since 1993,
been enhanced and
complemented by a timely

European event, the

"European week of scientific

culture", the success of
which is growing in all the
countries of the European
Union. But it is at school that
the issue is really
determined. Scientific and
technical information is all
the more rewarding when
built on a solid foundation of
scientific education acquired The development of
at school. biotechnologies, man's
relationship to intelligent
The second level is ethical. machines, new approaches to
-8
-
procreation, a heightened September 1993). At
sense of co-existence with European level, the White
other species, protection of Paper on "Growth,
the environment, are all new Competitiveness and
issues which Europe must Employment" and the
prepare to face. The same conclusions of the Essen
problem arises in relation to European Council, reiterated
the information society. The in Cannes, stress the link
'information highways' to between competitiveness,
which young people and even employment, education and
children will have training.
increasingly easier access,
could well find themselves The response to these three
inundated with messages factors of upheaval is multi-
offending human dignity. This faceted, for it entails a
clearly raises the matter of radical shake-up of European
protecting our children. The society.
ethics of responsibility must
become an integral part of The ultimate goal of training,
basic education and the to build up the individual's
training of researchers. self-reliance and
occupational capacity, makes
Throughout Europe, in all it the
Member States, these three
factors of upheaval and their
repercussions for industry
and employment are
increasingly being taken on
board and addressed. For
example, see the report of the
German Federal

Government on "The
future of

Germany as an industrial
location"

(Bundesministerium für
Wirtschaft,
linchpin of adaptation and fragmentary and incomplete
change. information open to varying
interpretations and partial
The two main responses analysis.
focused upon in this White
Paper are accordingly to give There is therefore a risk of a
everyone access to a broad rift in society between those
base of knowledge and to that can interpret; those who
build up their abilities for can only use; and those who
employment and economic are pushed out of mainstream
life. society and rely upon social
support: in other words,
between those who know and
A first approach: focusing on
those who do not know.
a broad knowledge base
The main challenge in this
In the future, individuals will
kind of society is to reduce
be called upon to understand
the gap between these
complex situations which will
groups whilst enabling the
change in unforeseeable
progress and development of
ways, but which advances in
all human resources.
science should nevertheless
make it easier to control. It is possible to understand the
They will also be confronted world if the way it interacts
with an increasing variety of and functions can be grasped
physical objects, social and a sense of personal
situations and geographical direction found. This is the
and cultural contexts. In main function of school. This is
addition, they will have to particularly appropriate to the
contend with a mass of building
-9
-
of Europe. By imparting a to make judgements, is the
broad knowledge base to first factor in adapting to
young people enabling them economic and labour market
both to pick their way through change. The report from the
its complexity and to discuss Round Table of European
its purpose, education lays
the foundations of awareness Industrialists (February 1995)
and of stressed the need for flexible
European citizenship. training with a broad
knowledge base, advocating
By the same token, the a 'learning to learn' approach
development of a broad throughout life. It stated that,
knowledge base, namely the "the essential mission of
ability to grasp the meaning education is to help everyone
of things, to comprehend and to develop their own potential
and become a complete
human being, as opposed to a A. Grasping the meaning of
tool at the service of the things
economy; the acquisition of
knowledge and skills should
In an essentially universal
go hand in hand with building
society based on knowledge,
up character, broadening
a social and cultural identity
outlook and accepting one's
can only be passed on in part.
responsibility in society.".
It has to be built up, not only
This need for a solid and broad by school the role of which
knowledge base which is continues to be irreplaceable,
literary, philosophical, but the individuals who draw
scientific, technical and on the collective memory
practical, does not only while assimilating the variety
concern initial training. There of information to which they
are many examples to show are exposed, through their
that the vocational retraining involvement in different,
of employees who are under vocational, cultural, social
skilled or highly specialised on and family circles.
account of the Taylorist
approach to work depends The future of European
upon the acquisition of this culture depends on its
base as the foundation for new capacity to equip young
technical skills. When people to question constantly
retraining workers, training and seek new answers
establishments are without prejudicing human
increasingly having to give
values. This is the very
them a general grounding
foundation of citizenship and
before teaching them a new
is essential if European
job.
society is to be open,
There is, moreover, an multicultural and democratic.
increasing degree of
In this regard, the most
convergence between
eminent academics stress
business and the world of
the importance of adequate
education when it comes to
scientific awareness - not
the usefulness of reconciling
simply in the mathematical
general education and
sense - to ensure that
specialised training.
democracy can function
More generally speaking, the properly. Democracy
forceful return of a broad functions by majority decision
knowledge base as the key to on major issues which,
understanding the world because of their complexity,
outside the context of require an increasing amount
education can be seen. of background knowledge.
 - 10 -
For example, environmental the near future, from the
and ethical issues cannot be large informatics networks.
the subject of informed debate They arm the individual with
unless young people possess a powers of discernment and a
certain scientific awareness. critical sense. This can
At the moment, decisions in provide the best protection
this area are all too often against manipulation,
based on subjective and enabling people to interpret
emotional criteria, the majority
and understand the
lacking the general knowledge
information they receive.
to make an informed choice.
Clearly this does not mean
It is nevertheless worth
turning everyone into a
stressing the educational role
scientific expert, but enabling
the mass media can fulfil.
them to fulfil an enlightened
Wide-audience TV channels,
role in making choices which
e.g. the BBC in the United
affect their environment and to
understand in broad terms the Kingdom,
social implications of debates
between experts. There is
similarly a need to make
everyone capable of making
considered decisions as
consumers.

The radical changes taking

place in the scientific and
technological landscape,
require individuals (even if
they do not aspire to a career
in research) increasingly to
be able to grasp the meaning
of things.

Individuals must also learn to

think more in terms of
systems and to position
themselves both as a user
and as a citizen, as an
individual and as a member of
a group.

Literature and philosophy

fulfil the same function in
respect to the indiscriminate
bombardment of information
from the mass media and, in
or more specialised channels B. Comprehension and
e.g. La
Cinquième in France, offer creativity
educational programmes,
providing viewers with a The ability to understand is
substantial range of learning the capacity to analyze how
material. things are assembled and
taken apart. One function of
In conjunction with the public this White Paper is to draw
authorities, the mass media attention to the crucial
makes it possible to reach matter of teaching to promote
attainment targets which innovation.
could not be achieved by
traditional means. A very In fact an excessive
successful example of this is standardisation of knowledge
prevails. It tends to give the
the BBC's recent
impression that everything has
"Read and write" campaign to be taught in a strictly logical
order and that producing and
targeted at disadvantaged
identifying quality is a question
groups, parents and children
of mastering a deductive
alike and designed to help
reasoning system based on
stamp out illiteracy.
abstract concepts, in which
mathematics play a
A broad knowledge base
predominant role. In certain
enables people to find their
cases deductive approaches
way in the information
can thus make students
society, that is to say to be passive and restrict the
able to interpret in a critical imagination.
way the images and
information they receive from Observation, common sense,
a variety of sources. curiosity, interest in the
physical and
- 11
-
social world around us and primarily at the acquisition of
the desire to experiment are abstract concepts to round off
qualities which are often practical skills absorbed from
neglected. Yet these are the day-to-day life outside school.
qualities which will enable us The greater part of this
to train inventors rather than practical knowledge base has
mere technology managers. been modified and has
regressed in our urbanised,
In yesterday's Europe, automated, media-dominated
irrespective of whether it was society. It needs to be brought
rooted in rural life or in back into a broader knowledge
manufacturing industry, base as a way of preparing
learning was naturally directed individuals to master the
technical instruments they will being able to rationalize the
have to use, so that they, world in which we live.
rather than the technique, are
in charge. Recalling and understanding
the past is essential in order
Developing these aptitudes to judge the present.
means promoting an Knowledge of history
appreciation of how society (including scientific and
has been enriched by technological history) and
invention and how such geography has a dual function
invention came about. Any as a guide in time and space
action taken by the which is essential to everyone
Member States to introduce if they are to come to terms
the history of science and with their roots, develop a
technology into schools and sense of belonging and to
to strengthen the links understand others. It is small
between research and basic wonder that the hallmark of
education should be authoritarian regimes and
encouraged. dictatorships has been the
undermining and falsifying of
Powers of judgement and the teaching of history. The
decision making penalty society pays for
forgetting the past is to lose a
Powers of judgement and the common heritage of bearings
ability to choose are the two and reference points. It is not
surprising that, not knowing
essential skills for
the history of European
understanding the world
civilisation, that such
around us. They involve:
expressions as, "being out in
criteria for making choices;
the wilderness", "having a
remembering the lessons of
cross to bear", "Eureka!", "the
the past; and an ability to judgment of
assess the future.
Solomon" or "the tower of
The ability to choose is based
Babel" have lost their
on personal and social values,
meaning.
as well as
In the end, it is by presenting
the world not as a completed
construction, but as
something to be constructed,
that an instinct for the future
will be cultivated.

School must not only allow for

critical faculties to be
developed at all levels, among
both pupils and teachers, it
must also encourage it. Its guide the young people in its
open environment, cooperation care in their personal and
requirements and duty to social development. This White
prepare young people for
employment must not be Paper contends that in
allowed to prevent it from tomorrow's society these two
accomplishing its main demands will be
function, however, which is to
- 12
-
even more compatible than at broad and transferable body
present. of knowledge which is most
favourable to employment.

III. A second response: Basic knowledge is the

developing everyone's foundation on which
employability and capacity for individual employability is
economic life built. This is par excellence
the domain of the formal
One of the central issues this education and training
White Paper seeks to answer, system. A good balance has
is how best to use education to be struck in basic
and training to commit education between acquiring
European countries to a knowledge and
process of job creation, methodological skills which
whilst taking control of the enable a person to learn
internationalization of the alone. It is these which today
economy and the arrival of need to be developed.
new technologies

Two questions follow: what

are the skills required and
how can they be acquired?

A. What are the skills

required?

In today's world, knowledge

in the broad sense can be
defined as an acquired body
of fundamental and technical
knowledge, allied to social
skills. It is the balance of this
knowledge acquired through
the formal education system,
in the family, on the job and
through various information
networks, which make it the
Over the past few years, knowledge. The European
European countries have opted
to re-centre basic teaching on Commission believes that it is
the "three Rs" - reading, necessary to make
writing and arithmetic - in proficiency in at least two
order to prevent school failure foreign languages at school a
which plays a major role in priority, as is proposed in the
social exclusion. second part of this White
Paper.
An early start in education
i.e. at the pre-school age is Technical knowledge is
also becoming more common. knowledge which permits clear
Pupils who receive pre-school identification with an
education are seen to occupation. It is acquired
succeed on average better partly within the vocational
during their school careers education and training system
than others. They take their and partly on the job.
studies further and seem to
integrate more easily. This knowledge has
substantially changed with
Language learning also needs the advent of information
to be encouraged. A project technology and the
entitled Euroling is being demarcation lines between
carried out in this context occupations are breaking
under the SOCRATES down.
programme and has produced
teaching material in three Within this framework of
languages knowledge, certain "key
(Italian, Spanish, Dutch) for skills" are central to a
nursery and primary schools. number of different
Early teaching of language, occupations and therefore
starting at nursery school, essential in order to be able
should become part of basic to change jobs. Basic training
in
- 13
-
information technology competence totally in keeping
across the board has with the notion of work-
therefore become a shadowing and mentoring. This
necessity. tradition is still a valid source
of inspiration and produces
However, acquiring technical workers who have mastered all
knowledge should not be the different facets of their
restricted to leading-edge or craft and who are able to pass
newly-emerged sectors. There them on to others.
are long-established, but still
efficient sectors of industry, Social aptitudes concern
with a genuine tradition of inter-personal skills, i.e.
behaviour at work and a opening up the potential for
whole range of skills mobility as widely as
corresponding to the level of possible, people can build up
responsibility held, such as and build on their level of
the ability to cooperate and employability and better
work as part of a team, control their career.
creativeness and the quest
for quality. Full mastery of How can a person become
these skills can be acquired employable?
only in a working environment
and therefore mainly on the The traditional route: the
job. paper qualification

The employability of a person People today opt for general

and their capacity to adapt education or vocational
training routes leading to
are linked to the way they are
paper qualifications, remaining
able to combine these
as long as possible within the
different types of knowledge
education system.
and build on them. In this
context, individuals become There is indeed a trend in all
the principal constructor of the Member States to lengthen
their own abilities and can the period of study and strong
combine the skills acquired social pressure to broaden
through the traditional access to higher education and
institutional routes, with thus raise the level achieved
those acquired through their by the greatest number. This
occupational experience and also concerns young people
those acquired by virtue of who have opted for vocational
their personal training effort. courses and even those who
have had work experience.
By diversifying education This situation raises problems
provision, building bridges for the attractiveness of
between various channels, vocational education, which in
increasing pre-occupational several
experience and by
Member States is considered
as a

'second best' option offering

limited career prospects.
Young people therefore tend
to go for general education at
the risk of feeling
overqualified in their jobs.

This type of behaviour by

young people is rational
because level of study and have lower levels of
the paper qualification still qualification are forced into
provide far and away the best lower-qualified jobs than
passport to employment. those to which they hoped to
However, from the social aspire. This "domino effect"
point of view this raises also affects those with few or
problems. Young people who no paper
- 14
-
qualifications and becomes a therefore produces an elite
major factor of social which is not truly
exclusion. Over-qualification representative of the
for jobs also hinders career available human resource
progress. potential. This point of view is
borne out by a number of
In most European systems, recent surveys which show
paper qualifications are that over a long period the
designed with a view to more elitist types of training
filtering out at the top the are more often than not the
elite which will lead prerogative of the upper
administration and managerial or intellectual
companies, researchers and strata.
teaching staff. In certain
countries, they are even the This is not, of course, to say
quasi-absolute reference that the paper qualification is
points for assessing not a valid route.
competence, which makes it
a powerful incentive to The substantial efforts made
pursue long-term studies and by the Member States, and
supported by the Community
to take one's chance in very
through SOCRATES and
selective courses. Moreover, a
LEONARDO to strengthen
worker's occupational status
initial training must of course
is in many countries defined
be pursued. But in parallel with
by the diploma held. This link
this, we need to make the best
between paper qualification use of skills and abilities
and status, however logical it irrespective of how they were
may be, accentuates the
internal lack of flexibility of
the labour market.

It could be considered that

society

"locks out" in this way much

talent which is frequently
unconventional but
innovatory and that it
obtained and to enhance Either the level of paper
everyone's potential by qualifications is maintained, in
catering more closely for the which case the number of
needs of the individual, young people having no paper
business and industry. What is qualifications increases, or
needed is a more open and else the number of paper
flexible approach. Such an qualifications or the number of
approach should also young people holding such
encourage lifelong learning by qualifications has to be
allowing for and encouraging a increased, thus inevitably
continuing process of skill placing question marks around
acquisition. the quality of those
qualifications.
The modern route: integration
within a network which These are questions which
cooperates, which educates, recur in all
trains and learns
Member States, as does the
If people are to exercise their question of the high number
responsibilities to a greater of young people leaving
extent in shaping their skills education without
and abilities they must first be qualifications and with a
able to enter institutional feeling of personal failure,
training systems more easily. who are consequently
This implies familiarity with vulnerable on the employment
them, broader access and market through the total lack
better mobility between the of any recognised skills.
different courses.
This White Paper suggests a
There are two possible third way forward, which
answers.
already exists in some
Member States. This
- 15
-
solution does not detract vocational know-how
from the paper qualification, (knowledge of a language, a
but on the contrary helps to given level in maths,
maintain its quality and is to accounting, using a
recognise partial skills on the spreadsheet, word
basis of a reliable processing, etc.). These
accreditation system. Those partial skills could also be
rejected by the formal system possessed by adults who
of education would be have some expertise due to
encouraged to cultivate the their own self-teaching
skills they have. This does not efforts (e.g. computer skills)
mean qualifications in the and who could be encouraged
broad sense but skills based to hone these skills.
on specific fundamental or
Accreditation of this kind - adequate information and
could, of course, lead to the guidance;
recognition on a broader
basis of the technical - access to training along
knowledge acquired in a firm, with all the opportunities
which is currently more often available for mobility.
than not evaluated solely for
the company's use.
i) Information and guidance
However, whether the constitute the first condition.
knowledge and skills are
. For a young person seeking
acquired within a formal
to find their way, for an adult
system of education or in a
undergoing vocational or
less formal way, the
continuing training, there is
individual still needs to be
the problem of an abundance
assisted. The most efficient
of provision and its
education and training
presentation. The citizen of
approaches are those which
Europe has better information
operate within a network.
when choosing a hotel or a
These networks may be
restaurant then when
institutional (education and
choosing a type of training.
training establishments
cooperating with families or
Being better informed means
firms) or informal networks of
being in a position to survey
knowledge which are rapidly training provision. This was
springing up (adult education stressed in the report of the
establishments, education
cooperatives, etc.). Advisory Group on
Competitiveness which
proposed the setting up of
a)
'knowledge resource centres'
Promoting
to act as an interface
access
between the supply of and
to
demand for information on
training.
education and training
It also implies an independent
assessment of training, i.e. an
Once the basics have been
assessment made outside the
secured, two conditions
education system. This
would appear to be necessary
assessment should be simple,
if individuals are to be able to
establish a ranking and make
exercise responsibility in
clear comparisons, making it
building up their abilities: possible to establish the real

- 16
-
contribution to employability made by training. It is also
important to evaluate how Mobility has also increased
training reduces the throughout Europe and the
segregation in the labour Community has made a
market by encouraging more significant contribution to
women to enter traditionally this process, particularly
male-dominated occupations. through the ERASMUS
Such an assessment process programme. Yet mobility
would remove the first levels remain unsatisfactory.
obstacle to guidance.

The second obstacle to

guidance is the problem of
knowing how occupations will
develop and what skills will
be required. Asking this
question at the European
level would make it possible
to have a comparative
outlook which is broader and
which could contribute to
finding a solution.

The third obstacle lies in

attitudes.

Significant progress has been

made, but social origins
continue to mark, indeed
condition, choices made by
individuals which can work
against their social
advancement.

The second condition is

broad and open access
serving individual aptitudes
and needs.

. Fulfilling this condition

implies mobility between
educational establishments.
This mobility has markedly
increased in the Member

States, a trend which is to be

encouraged.
There are two main obstacles translation/interpreting
to the occupational mobility of schools within the Tradutech
people, be they workers - network, which has since
employees, teachers, 1986 provided mobility for
researchers, unemployed teachers and students by
people - or those in training, applying the European Course
particularly students. Credit Transfer System
(ECTS) as part of
First of all, there is the major
issue of securing genuine ERASMUS.
recognition of knowledge
within the EU. Mutual Validation of occupational
recognition of diplomas is achievements, outside the
guaranteed for the regulated paper qualification, between
professions and has been one Member
confirmed through State and another is even
Community case law. But more difficult to achieve.
recognition of diplomas still
comes up against restrictions Legal and administrative
for other occupations. The barriers are the second major
diploma signifies academic obstacle to transnational
recognition, but the mobility. Depending on the
component parts which make situation and the Member
up the diploma are not State concerned, these
recognised, except when it is barriers stem from social
encouraged by the protection provisions
Community through
cooperation between higher (particularly as regards
education establishments and pension schemes), right of
so through Community residence
funding. An example is the
cooperation between over 40 (especially in the case of
persons
- 17
-
who are legally resident in a The move towards the
Member learning society means doing
State but are nationals of a away with barriers to the
non-EU country) and fiscal physical mobility of people in
regulations (e.g. those Europe in an age when, due to
applying to study grants or the new communications
research bursaries). The fact technologies, instant non-
that national higher physical mobility is a reality.
education study grants are
not transferable from one ∙ There must be access to
country to another is an training throughout life.
additional barrier to mobility.
The conclusions of both the
Essen and the Cannes workers). However, some
European Councils stressed progress has been made, for
the need to develop example
continuing training, as have
the authorities in the Member "IDEALS", a project supported
States and the social under the Community's
partners. 'Telematics applications'
programme, has, in conjunction
Yet there is no sign of much with SMEs and technical
progress in recent years. On teaching establishments, made
the contrary, the bite of the it possible to develop training
recession, the presence of for SMEs (data bases of course
surplus labour market and the modules tailored to the
arrival of overqualified young requirements of the different
persons on the same labour SMEs involved), at the place of
market have done nothing to work or at local teaching
spur a training drive by the centres.
business sector, particularly
for the benefit of the older and The overall training effort
less-qualified employees. remains too modest. The
Inequalities in access to emergence of the information
training between different society and the resulting
types of companies and groups changes in the content and
of employees persist. In organisation of work
particular, this works to the nevertheless make it urgent
disadvantage of workers in to improve workers' access to
SMEs and under- or unqualified training. They also make it
workers. This also affects necessary to enhance its
women, either because they content, which should not
are under-represented in stop at mere adaptation to a
senior management positions new job.
and in technology-intensive
sectors, or because of the All the opportunities offered
employment status of many of by the information society
them (for example part-time must be seized.

What is at stake must be seen

from the point of view of both
the education and the
business sector.
The facts are there.
Competition from the USA is
stiff generally in multimedia
and in multimedia for
education in particular.
Europe's weakness does not
lie in a lack of creativity. Far
from it. But European
inventors and industrialists make local, regional and
are seriously hampered by national investment cost-
the high degree of effective, hence the case for
fragmentation of the market encouraging the preparation
caused by the cultural and of products which can be sold
linguistic diversity of Europe. not only in Europe but
It is consequently difficult to throughout the world.
- 18
-
Teachers must also be given The information society also
the opportunity to adapt to raises another question. As
new technologies and to their stressed by the EU's
consequences. The Committee of the Regions in
penetration rate of its opinion (September 1995)
educational multimedia at on
school is still too slow. There
are several reasons for this. "Education and training in the
The quality of the products face of technical and social
available today is not yet challenge: first thoughts" the
good enough to prompt question is how, "to promote
teachers to use multimedia equal access to education for
techniques. The men and women alike, and to
ensure that disadvantaged
development groups
of
multimedia (rural communities, the
educational elderly, ethnic minorities and
software immigrants) do not become
which second-class citizens as
the regards access to the new
European technologies and
Commission opportunities for learning.".
is
supporting through the The Commission believes that
creation of the Task Force on there remains too much
educational multimedia inequality in the access to
software is, therefore, training and to the labour
particularly important. In market and that the
addition, teaching staff do not possibilities offered by the
always have the right type information society must be
and the right amount of fully used to reduce them.
hardware. Finally, teachers
are not, in the main,
sufficiently well-versed in the
use of educational
multimedia techniques.
Information technology will marginalized groups back into
certainly permit substantial the mainstream. The results,
growth in all forms of distance particularly in the problems of
teaching. This was a point re-integrating young people,
made by the European suggest that there is need for
Parliament in its July 1993 "second chance"
resolution on open and arrangements, for which the
distance learning, on the basis European Union could provide
of the report by Mrs D. Pack. some support, as proposed in
the second part of this White
The achievements of the Paper.
Open University, which has
for many years developed b) Recognition of
distance learning on a acquired
substantial scale, should also
be mentioned in this context. skills

. Lastly, specific career In the learning society

access pathways enabling individuals must be able to
marginal or excluded sectors have their basic, technical
of the population to find and occupational skills
subsequently either training validated, how they were
or a work-related activity still acquired. There are already
need to be developed. This instances of this: the driving
White Paper considers this to licence, English (TEFL) and
be a priority. maths (Kangaroo test). A
personal skills card providing
There has been a substantial a record of skills and
effort in the Member States to knowledge accredited in this
set up specialised routes and way should be available to all
arrangements for bringing those who want one.
- 19
-

This could be applied to across a number of different

certain fundamental areas of disciplines
knowledge which can be
easily broken down into (sense of order, certain areas
different levels (languages, of decision-making, etc.). In
maths, management, this way, for instance,
informatics, law, economics, someone with no paper
etc.). It could also be applied qualifications can approach a
prospective employer, show
to technical areas of
that they have accredited
knowledge which are
drafting, language, word
assessed in companies
processing and spreadsheet
(accounting, financing,
skills, and thus attract interest
exporting, etc.) and even to
in the range of skills they have
occupational areas which cut put together, even though they
do not have the piece of paper people will be best served in
giving them the status of a educational terms.
qualified secretary. There are
other examples, such as
management and computing. i) Cooperation
between
A number of skill
accreditation and institutionsand others
assessment systems
concerned.
developed for their own
purposes by companies in
∙ Adapting and improving
Europe, could also be
education and training
adopted for general use
systems has to be
subject to validation by
strengthened through
experts.
partnerships: no single
institution, school or
An accreditation system of
company can claim to be able
this kind, on a voluntary
to develop the skills needed
basis, widely available in
for achieving employability.
Europe and involving
universities, chambers of
In early childhood, it is
commerce and specific
cooperation between school
business sectors, would
and family which best
complement the formal
secures the acquisition of
qualifications systems and
basic knowledge. Special
would in no way be a
attention must be devoted in
replacement.
this connection to the role of
the family, particularly in the
The introduction of new
disadvantaged areas. Families
methods of validating skills,
must be closely associated in
as proposed in the second
the operation of "second
part of this White Paper,
chance" institutions and be
would be a step towards the
provided with support
learning society.
programmes.
c) Positioning the individual
At a later stage, this
within a supporting
cooperation takes place
cooperative network
between education
While reliance on a single institutions and enterprises.
institution to build up In many Member States on-
employability is an increasingly and-off-the-job training is
unsatisfactory option, people being developed, particularly
cannot be left to fend for apprenticeship, which is still
themselves either. The the most effective form of
indications are that it is by this cooperation.
being positioned in co- Apprenticeship should be
operative a network that encouraged at European level
and apprenticeship pathways made
- 20
-
possible between the Member enterprises as full partners in
States. the training process. It is no
longer possible to consider
In the second part of this the company's role as solely
White Paper it is accordingly that of recruiter of trained
proposed to develop individuals or supplier of
apprenticeship/traineeship at extra training. The enterprise
European level. is a major generator of
knowledge and new know-
Generally speaking, it is to be how.
hoped that partnerships
between companies and It should be noted that trends
education establishments can in training processes
be established. (particularly in the
transversal areas:
Cooperation of this type is environment, health,
catching on, particularly consumption) is increasingly
through the contribution of accompanied and sustained
Community action in the by a very broad partnership
COMETT programme. Mention involving, for instance, local
can be made of ECATA authorities, consumer
(European Consortium for
Advanced Training in
Aeronautics), a transnational
project bringing together
seven universities from
several countries and eleven

European manufacturers
within a partnership to train
young engineers, with the
training being certified by a
diploma. There is also
Biomerit, involving some
thirty-three partners -
universities, firms,
particularly SMEs - from
seven European Union
countries.

The challenge of cooperation

between education
establishments and
enterprises is to accept
associations and specialised has been given responsibility,
bodies makes it possible to improve
the quality of production.
(tourism, energy, Quality circles, job
environment). enrichment, plans bringing
together workers, production
and marketing managers,
A network which is teaching-
have all enabled working
oriented and is itself a
groups to learn and to teach,
learning system.
bringing benefits to everyone.
On the basis of occupational
. As stressed by Carnoy and
experience, such cooperation
Castells (in "Sustainable
has made it possible to
flexibility: a prospective study
transform automatic know-
on work, family and society in
how into a capacity for
the information age" of the
autonomy, i.e. into a genuine
School of Education,
form of knowledge.
University of Stanford,
Berkeley University, April
This is becoming more
1995), this condition applies
widespread even outside
to cooperation within
quality circles. One example,
organisations, cooperation
concerns a leading
between networks of
organisations and European car manufacturer's
cooperation at local level. plant in which a problem of
blistering on car roofs was
• Internal training
solved by having the workers
networks
themselves do the statistical
In an enterprise it is surveys, monitoring and
acknowledged that working analysis of the problem
as a member of a team which (FORCE programme).
- 21
-
This cooperation is beginning even a clearly-defined job.
to bring about a radical change Such specific type of training
in the nature of vocational is now more generally used to
training in enterprises, which complete the training of young
is increasingly taking place on people entering the company
the basis of a training plan straight from school or
which the workers themselves university.
and their representatives have
been involved in preparing. In Teaching methods in teaching
the most progressive and most establishments should also
efficient companies, this move in the direction of
training is organised less and learning how to cooperate.
less around the acquisition of
skills for a specific task or There have already been
some notable achievements. collective bodies involved in
For instance, the 'European local development,
School Project' initiated by particularly those active in
the Centre for Technical and community life, often enable
Collaborative Innovation at jobs to be found, which,
the although they are of low
added value, help to prevent
University of Amsterdam, the problem of exclusion. In
involves general, these networks aim
not only to find constructive
400 schools. It uses the
employment for young people
"teletrip" principle, an
and others excluded from the
educational project designed
labour market, but to teach
by teaching staff working
them to communicate, to do
together and covering
something useful and to
information research, the
exchange of results and change their social
problem solving. Several environment. Their motives
hundred are altruistic, generally
unrelated to paid employment
"teletrips" have taken place but give them an opportunity
in a number of different to acquire the key skills in
languages, involving the learning society.
thousands of students.
Regional and local cooperation
• External cooperation is therefore of prime
networks importance in enhancing
employability. It enables the
Throughout Europe, there is a creation of jobs with high
move towards local added value to be combined
cooperation (in science and with the development of
technology parks, urban policies to help marginalised
multi-site technology zones, groups to integrate. It is also
etc.), based on the exchange one of the main ways of
generalising vocational
of information and training
training and strengthening
between research institutes,
cohesion in the European
companies and teaching
Union.
establishments. In involving
Local knowledge exchange
all the key interests,
networks are spreading
particularly national and local
across Europe, in
authorities, such local
France, Germany, Austria,
networks represent another
Belgium, Spain, Switzerland,
factor promoting individual enabling people to share skills
employability. and train themselves by
'exchanging knowledge',
Similarly, the networks everyone taking their turn to
linking individuals and be first teacher, then pupil.
There is a wide variety of informatics to languages and
areas which are conducive to even chess games.
exchange, ranging from
- 22
-
Significantly, these networks educational practice within
are in general involved in the Member States shows
eliminating illiteracy and that responses to this
providing support for school question are already
work. This has served as the emerging.
platform for the development
of an informatics-based Major developments in the
method for managing skills, adaptation of education and
designed to develop group training are taking place in the
training. This method is following three main areas:
currently being tried out by greater autonomy for those
involved in training; awareness
several enterprises.
of the need to evaluate the
effectiveness of education; and
IV. Directions for the future the realization that

The crucial problem of

employment in a permanently
changing economy compels
the education and training
system to change. The design
of appropriate education and
training strategies to address
work and employment issues
is, therefore, a central
preoccupation.

Everyone is convinced of the

need for change, the proof
being the demise of the major
ideological disputes on the
objectives of education.

The central question now is

how to move towards greater
flexibility in education and
training systems, taking take
account of the diversity of
people's demands. Debate
within the Union must now
focus on this priority issue.

The diversity of current

disadvantaged groups need or separate things. There is
special attention. increasing recognition for the
importance of general
knowledge in using
vocational skills.
A.
Bridges are being built
The
between school and the
end
business sector. These show
of
that the ideological and
debate
cultural barriers which
on
separated education and
enterprise are breaking down,
educational principles
benefiting both. In line with
the traditions in the Member
Heated debates concerning the States, this cooperation is
organization of education and reflected in initial and
training systems - including continuing training.
debates on content and
training methods - have taken The principle of equal rights
place over the last few years. in education is being applied
increasingly in the context of
Most of these debates now equality of opportunity,
appear to have come to an including positive
end. discrimination in favour of
those at a disadvantage in
A broad knowledge base and order to prevent under-
training for employment are achievement at school.
no longer two contradictory
- 23
-

• The dawning of the towards greater flexibility

information society, which
initially caused misgivings The current structure of
within the teaching education and training
profession, has now revealed institution must change to
new demand for education meet the needs of different
and training and has started groups.
to renew teaching
These institutions remain too
approaches, while facilitating
rigid to educate and train
the development of contacts
citizens or workers for
and links between teachers permanent employment. Even
and institutions on a though some institutions or
European scale. teachers are experimenting
with new approaches, they
remain too isolated.
B. The central question:
 life-long learning be created,
There needs to be a namely, the on-going access
commitment to greater to the renewing of skills and
flexibility to meet greater and the acquisition of new
more diverse demands. knowledge?

How can this be achieved? An C. Action in the Member

urgent debate on this issue is States
needed based on some key
questions. Significant developments are
taking place throughout
How can the development of Europe. All education systems
schooling and access to are seeking to improve
higher education for more quality, to develop training
people, be reconciled with provision, to provide life-long
maintaining quality in learning, and to improve the
education? use of financial resources.

How can the purposes of 1. The search for quality

education be adapted to the
diversity of demands, whilst In initial education, the focus
their remains some is shifting back to acquiring
reluctance in education to and mastering basic skills,
differentiate between its particularly the "three Rs" -
clientele? reading, writing and
arithmetic. There is also a
• How can the status of general movement towards
teachers and trainers be advanced learning of foreign
maintained and improved languages.
whilst motivating them to
meet the manifold needs of Member States are also
the learning society? seeking to familiarise young
people with new information
technologies.
How can teachers and
trainers be prepared for the Teachers and trainers are
development of the purposes developing new innovative
of education and the approaches both inside and
consequent transformation of outside the institutional
teaching methods and tools? education system. At school,
this
How can the conditions for
- 24
-
involves various methods e.g (Germany),
Decroly
Montessori (Italy), and Freinet
(Belgium), Steiner (France). Innovatory methods
are also emerging for adult skills within the education
education, e.g. the adult system placing an emphasis on
education schools or trainee/apprenticeship
'Outward Bound' courses as schemes. Some have opted for
developed in the United twinning arrangements
Kingdom, offering exercises between schools and
and approaches which businesses. The main concern
transform the content of being both to place young
traditional continuing training people in a "work
by seeking to adapt
behavioural patterns rather
than abstract knowledge.

All these experiments show

teachers and trainers possess
genuine creativeness waiting
to express itself.

Teachers and trainers in the

field are usually ahead of the
education systems and it is
among their ranks that the
pioneers of the learning
society are to be found.

At higher education levels,

trends towards longer studies
and wider access for a
greater number, are clear
signs of an overall increase in
the quality of human capital.

However, all higher education

systems face the problem of
tackling this sudden
numerical increase, while
maintaining the quality of
their qualifications.

The search for new types of

qualifications

All Member States consider the

links between education and
training as being of key
significance. Some Member
States are seeking to provide
for the acquisition of basic
situation" while maintaining recognition of skills acquired,
the quality of teaching. Other in particular those obtained
Member in a work situation, as
traditional processes are
States prefer to delay the often too formal and rigid.
initial vocational training
phase. 3.
The
The involvement of development
businesses and the social of
partners in organising initial
training and young people's continuing training
transition to working life
appears to be an established
trend, notably in the form of The concept of key skills is
on-and-off-the-job training (for spreading throughout
instance in the "dual" training.
system).
Occupations and
Some Member States are qualifications are becoming
trying to develop "re- more flexible. All Member
integration" or "guaranteed States believe that the
training" structures, which separation between
aim is to provide young job- education and vocational
market entrants lacking training is becoming less and
qualifications with another less clear.
opportunity to acquire
The widespread growth of
indispensable vocational and
social exclusion and the mid-
basic skills.
term demographic outlook,
Several Member States are have prompted most Member
debating the processes of States develop their adult
certification, validation and education, particularly at
local level.
- 25
-
working time and training, the
In several Member States, collective agreement approach
training arrangements are at different levels is becoming
emerging on the basis of a more noticeable in a number of
joint approach between the Member States.
social partners, involving
discussion, negotiation and New methods of funding and
even management of training evaluation
issues. In view of the shared
interests in, for instance, on- Some Member States are
and-off-the-job training and trying out new methods for
arrangements combining funding education and
training. These range from time when the discussion on
educational vouchers to co- transfers of funds is picking up
funding of continuing training, speed in all
where those involved
themselves bear some of the Member States, those in
cost (through tax allowances, positions of responsibility are
subsidised loans or the showing increasing interest
introduction of a "training in improving cost-benefit
fund"). appraisal methods.

The search for new forms of D. New Developments

funding for education and
In the light of these changes
training is set in a context
and experiences, new
where, even though they
developments can be seen
occupy a major position in
clearly to be going in three
public spending, there has
main directions.
been a certain retrenchment
over the past few years.
The first concerns the
The debate now in progress in
increase in autonomy for
Member States on the public those involved in education
funds and resources to be and training.
devoted to education and
training is being accompanied It is by giving greater
by an increased desire for autonomy to those
greater transparency of the responsible for education and
systems and, above all, for a clear understanding of its
evaluation of the cost purpose that education and
effectiveness of public training systems can adapt
expenditure in this field. The better to meet modern needs.
problem is to obtain reliable
reference benchmarks and, There is the question of
above all, data on private whether to give greater
funding autonomy to schools.
Experience has shown that
(households, companies, the most decentralised
etc.). At a systems are also the most
flexible, the quickest to adapt
and hence have the greatest
propensity to develop new
forms of social partnership.

In the field of continuing

training, this necessary
autonomy must be part of the
process of negotiation
between the social partners
at various levels (company,
sectoral, regional, inter- access to training.
sectoral), the essential aim
being to ensure that all The second new development
workers, particularly is evaluation, which is needed
employees in the SMEs, have to justify the essential
increase in funding.
- 26
-
Evaluation is equally relevant
in ascertaining how White Paper.
effectively education and
training cater for the needs of Evaluation
target groups as well as in can
the search for ways of also
improving achievement at help
school, integration into to
working life and vocational publicise
retraining. Education can also and
help to tailor more effectively disseminate
both initial and continuing experience
vocational training to the and
requirements of the best
employment market, practice,
characterised as it is at which is why in the second
present by a high rate of part of this White Paper
unemployment and a setting up an observation
shortage of labour in certain system to monitor innovatory
sectors and certain trades. vocational training practices
is proposed.
Evaluation can enable
continuing training to be Finally, the third new
considered as an investment development concerns the
made by enterprises and by attention being given to
workers. In addition, money disadvantaged groups.
spent on in-company
It is becoming increasingly
retraining or apprenticeship,
clear that those not
for example, constitutes an
integrated into society should
asset for the company
receive special attention, so
alongside its other fixed
assets e.g. research
equipment. Such investment
should therefore be treated in
the same way for tax
purposes without prejudicing
the free movement of
workers. This is proposed in
the second part of this
as to give them basic skills, conjunction with families.
and cultivate fundamental
values. As the
*
European Parliament stressed
in its initial resolution of * *
March 1993, based on Mrs Moving towards the learning
Dührkop-Dührkop's report on society is a twofold
the schooling of immigrant challenge.
children, school plays a vital
The first challenge is
role in social integration.
economic. The
Positive discrimination in
favour of those at a social
EU, as the world's leading
disadvantage is essential, exporter, has quite logically
particularly in the problem opted to open up to the
suburbs and inner-city areas. international economy. This
Otherwise, the risk is that the means it has to continually
social rift widens even further. strengthen its economic
These areas must benefit from competitiveness as the route
increasing public aid and the to achieving the
concentration of institutional "...sustainable and non-
means to implement policies inflationary growth
based on local administration respecting the
and the social fabric, in environment..." and the "high
particular local associations. level of employment and of
They should be given the most social protection..." set out in
highly qualified teachers - not Art. 2 of the Treaty
inexperienced or temporary establishing the European
staff - using new information
technology. Support at school Community.
must be strengthened in close
- 27
-
As stressed in the industrial competitiveness is
Commission's its capacity to generate and
use knowledge, with the aid of
White Paper "Growth, the great potential of its
competitiveness and labour force and the social
employment" its human consensus laying the
resources constitute the EU's foundation for harnessing it."
main economic asset. More
recently, the Commission Europe must invest in
Communication "An industrial education to raise the
competitiveness policy for the general level of skills of
European Union" clearly set employees and the working
out the terms of the issues at population, through basic
stake: "The European Union's education and by fostering
greatest asset for boosting its
the acquisition of new people leaving school with no
knowledge throughout life. qualifications a second
This intangible investment chance.
must make it possible to meet
the challenge posed by Naturally, everything starts at
developments in the labour school, which is where the
market i.e. the mismatch learning society has its roots.
between qualifications sought If this White Paper has placed
and qualifications available, so much emphasis on the role
demographic change, the of individuals as the main
growth of service sector protagonist in that society,
activities and changes in the through his self-reliance and
organisation and content of the thirst for knowledge
work. which will enable them to
take charge of their own
All this is accompanied on future, it is only to highlight
the social front by an urgent the role of school in this
need to avert a rift in society. process. School has to adapt,
Social exclusion has become but nevertheless remains the
widespread in Europe in irreplaceable instrument of
recent years and there is no everyone's personal
need to dwell on the development and social
consequences of this integration. Much is asked of
situation. it because it has such so
much to offer.
Clearly, a special effort has to
be made for the most
vulnerable sections of the
population, particularly in the
urban areas hardest hit by
unemployment. This effort
depends on initial and
continuing training, as well as
measures to give young
- 28
-
- 29
-
PART TWO: BUILDING THE LEARNING SOCIETY

Action guideline proposals

The learning society will not come about overnight. It cannot

come about by declaration. It has to emerge from an ongoing
process. This White Paper does not purport to present a package
of measures. The Commission neither has nor proposes any
miracle solution. The White Paper merely offers a basis for
thorough consideration and outlines some courses of action.

The scale of the changes in progress nonetheless requires an all-

round effort if Europe wishes to make the urgent need to invest
more and more efficiently in knowledge something more than a
mere slogan.

What is now needed is a different approach for three reasons:

giving priority to quality in education and training has become

vital to the EU's competitiveness and to the preservation of its
social model; indeed Europe's very identity over the next
millennium depends on this;

the demand for education and training is continually increasing;

on the supply side, the emergence of the information society is
providing a new potential;

social exclusion has reached such intolerable proportions that

the rift between those who have knowledge and those who do
not, has to be narrowed.

Efforts are being made in all Member States to improve the general
level of skills, starting with an effort to give back to school its
crucial role in society and to strengthen its role in providing equality
of opportunity, in particular between women and men. The European
Union has done its utmost within its limited budgetary and legal
framework. No one can question the success of programmes like
ERASMUS, COMETT and LINGUA which have served hundreds of
thousands of Europeans well and which have helped to bring about a
radical change of attitude, particularly among the young, for whom
Europe has become a reality.

The guiding principles for these programmes when they were

launched in the 1980s have been carried through to the LEONARDO
and SOCRATES programmes. In addition, the reforms to the
Structural Funds - particularly Objective 4 - has made it possible to
develop Community initiatives in the form of specific programmes
such as EMPLOYMENT and ADAPT, which have boosted education
and training efforts. In addition, the 4th framework research
programme for the first time makes financial provision for research
into education and training.

The point is not to make a clean sweep of local, national and

European achievement, and still less to advocate reform of the
education systems, but rather instead to attempt to put those
involved - trainers, companies, public authorities -

- 30
-
on the same wavelength as regards new courses of action which
could quickly be turned into practical measures.

It is for this reason that this White Paper will to launch in 1996,
the European Year of Lifelong Learning, a debate which, in
pursuing common objectives, will conform to the principle of
subsidiarity and make it easier to distinguish between:

action to be carried out at local and national level;

action to be carried out at European level;

cooperation and support between the EU and its Member States.

The Commission intends to present the conclusions of this

debate and will propose guidelines for further action.

Based on these respective competencies, the principle of

subsidiarity is an essential part of this forthcoming debate for
the following reasons:

Firstly, the authors of the Treaty state explicitly in Articles 126 and
127 that

Community action in education and training is to complement

and support action taken at national level, as responsibility for
the content and organisation of their education and vocational
training systems rests with

Member States.

Secondly, the principle of subsidiarity whereby decisions should

be taken at the most appropriate level must be a major feature of
any action taken in education and training and is a major
principle of the Treaty.

More generally, this principle is particularly appropriate, as the

highest political level, thus the furthest away from the area of
application, should only act when individuals, families, and political
authorities at all other levels cannot. As is shown in the analysis
carried out in the first part of this White

Paper, the move to the learning society must be centred on the

individual. The Commission is, moreover, fully aware that in
several Member States responsibility for action lies with the
regional or other decentralised authorities.

Let us not forget, however, that to a greater extent than before,

promoting the European dimension in education and training has
become a necessity for efficiency in the face of internationalisation
and to avoid the risk of a watered-down European society. If it is to
preserve its diversity, its wealth of traditions and structures, Europe
has to become - and increasingly so as successive enlargements
come about - a focal point of action through the essential
cooperation in these fields between the EU and its Member States.

As far as procedures are concerned, the Commission hopes that

appropriate fora can be established in 1996 to discuss fully all
the issues arising from the establishment of the learning society.
One such forum could, for instance, be a

- 31
-
"Jumbo" Council of Ministers bringing together not only the
Ministers of education but also those responsible for social
affairs and industry.

The Commission notes with interest that there is a shift in the

government structures of a number of Member States to bring
together the ministries of education with those of research and
training, a move which has taken place within the Commission
itself.

As far as the funding of future action is concerned, the

Commission obviously has no intention of interfering with
internal decisions of the Member States, while at the same time
hoping that priority continues to be given to investment in
education and training.

As far as the Community is concerned, the Commission is also

aware that in view of the financial perspective, additional funding
has to be ruled out for the time being. It accordingly stresses
that the measures proposed generate little cost - although this
does not detract from their innovatory nature - and will be
financed by reallocating funds within existing programmes. With
reference in particular to SOCRATES and LEONARDO, a plan of
action will be submitted in 1996 around the objectives set out in
the second part of this White Paper.

Against this background, the second part of this White Paper

presents ideas for action to facilitate cooperation between all
those concerned or to complement their activities, leaving each
to exercise their full responsibilities:

Member States are responsible for shaping and developing the

structure, organisation and content of their educational and
vocational training systems. They therefore have a crucial role to
play in bringing about the learning society;

educational and training establishments must be strengthened and

actively

participate in setting up cooperation networks involving others

concerned;

- enterprises must have an increasing role in training and

must help to
disseminate any new skills developed from their experience;

individuals must also be able to enjoy permanent access to a

whole range of better targeted and more clearly identifiable
education and training provision, which complements general
knowledge and can be acquired outside formal systems.

In order to promote these ideas and to implement practical

action, the Commission has identified five general objectives
which are to:

encourage the acquisition of new knowledge

bring schools and the business sector closer together

combat exclusion

32 -
develop proficiency in three Community languages

treat capital investment and investment in training on an equal

basis.

For each of these objectives this document puts forward

guidelines, suggestions and measures which the Community
could undertake to complement and support national action. It
formulates for each general objective a significant and
experimental project (see box in the text) to point the way
forward.

This project could initially be started up under the SOCRATES and

LEONARDO programmes and subsequently be fully implemented
under the structural initiatives, particularly "EMPLOYMENT"
(YOUTHSTART) and "ADAPT". As regards European-level support,
proposals are grouped by theme rather than area

(education, training). The legal reference basis for each of these

proposals will be defined if and when a proposal for an
appropriate instrument is submitted, depending on the reactions
from the Member States, the European Parliament and other
parties interested in this White Paper.

- 33
-

I. First general objective "ENCOURAGE THE

ACQUISITION Geographical mobility
broadens the individual's
OF NEW KNOWLEDGE" horizon, stimulates intellectual
agility and raises the general
Enhancing knowledge - by level of learning. It can only
which we mean individuals' reinforce the ability to learn,
general level of knowledge - which is so necessary to
ought to be the top priority. To develop.
achieve this a large number
of measures - analyzed in the
first section of this document
- are needed, and Member
States have the main
responsibility for putting
these in place.

One general and universally

acknowledged principle must
be observed: the advent of
the learning society involves
encouraging the acquisition
of new knowledge.

A multitude of incentives to
learn must be provided.
The improvement of
information about existing
training will be facilitated by
setting up creation, in the
countries "Knowledge
Resource Centres" as
proposed in the Ciampi
report.

Harnessing the knowledge

acquired by individuals
throughout their life must be
based on opening up new
methods of recognising skills,
over and above paper
qualifications and initial
training, starting at national
and local level.

Support for mobility also plays

a part in encouraging the
enhancement of knowledge.
Finally, education and
training must draw on the well-defined
new communication areas
technologies and harness of
their full potential. In the long
run every class should have knowledge of a general or
the necessary equipment
more
allowing young people access
specialised
to the world of computers.
This means, in particular, that
nature
Europe must adopt new high-
quality teaching instruments (mathematics,
adapted to its educational informatics,
and cultural traditions.
languages,
This White Paper therefore accountancy,
proposes launching the
following support actions at finance, management, etc.);
European level: -
second,
A. Recognition of skills
devise
validation
All European countries are
attempting to identify "key
systems for each of them;
skills" and the best ways of
-
acquiring, assessing and
third, introduce new,
certifying them. It is proposed
more
to set up a European system
to compare and disseminate flexible,
such definitions, methods and
practices. What does this ways
entail?
of
The underlying idea (involving
cooperation between all the acknowledging skills.
European players concerned)
is as follows:

- In complementing formal
first, to pinpoint a number qualification systems, this
approach would provide
of
- 34
-
individuals with greater a new thirst for education in
independence in putting those not wishing or unable
together their own to learn in a conventional
qualifications. It will awaken teaching setting.
 principle of the personal
If we manage to set up this skills card.
knowledge accreditation
system - on a voluntary basis B. Mobility
- at European level, we will
have taken a huge stride
towards the learning society.

A project will be launched

concerning the "personal skills
cards". This document should
allow individuals to have their
knowledge and know-how
recognised as and when they
are acquired. It is important to
discover, through studies and
pilot projects, what type of
data is relevant and to
consider how individuals could
use such a card. The aim is not
to devise a uniform card and
impose it on

Europe, but to contribute to

the development of such
tools, so as to progressively
arrive at joint standards,
including standards that cut
across a number of
occupations.

A European accreditation
system covering technical
and vocational skills will be
set up (see box) based on a
cooperative venture involving
higher education
establishments, businesses,
vocational sectors, local
chambers of commerce and
the social partners.

Finally, support will be given

to concluding a whole range
of agreements - at company,
branch and regional levels
etc. - incorporating the
Student mobility will be made developed by the generation
easier. of the system of "credit"
transfers (European Credit
In line with the Resolution
Transfer
of the
System - ECTS) and the
application of equivalent
European Parliament and the
methods to vocational
Conclusions of the Council of
training. The aim is to obtain
Ministers (1993), any students
mutual recognition of training
obtaining a grant in their own
modules, giving preference to
country must be able, if they
agreements between
wish, to use it in any higher
education and training
education establishment in
establishments and between
another Member State
economic sectors.
prepared to accept them. The
Commission will submit a
The obstacles
proposal to this effect.
(administrative, legal and
New "masters" level courses those connected with social
will be devised, in cooperation protection) acting as a brake
with several higher education on exchanges of students,
institutions through pooling trainees, teachers and
human and material resources; researchers must be
these will lead to mutually removed; the Commission will
recognized qualifications work out specific proposals
responding to the skill needs of on the basis of guidelines in a
the single market. Green Paper on these matters
included in its work
Mutual academic and programme.
vocational recognition will be

- 35
-
C. Multimedia educational

software

As part of the European

Year of

Lifelong Learning (1996), and

in conjunction with the
"multimedia educational
software" Task Force,
software development will be
supported through:

- launching joint calls for

proposals for the relevant
Community programmes
(SOCRATES, LEONARDO,
ESPRIT, TELEMATIQUE,

MEDIA II, INFO 2000);

- setting up a mechanism to
enhance and brand
educational software and
European products for use in
education and training in order
to facilitate their
dissemination.

- 36
-
Example N°1

Opening up new avenues for validating skills

Aims

Generate education and training demand from young people or

adults unable or not wishing to enter either a formal system
leading to paper qualifications nor to undergo initial vocational
training.

Render it possible for each individual to have partial skills

recognised under a flexible and permanent system (to be used
by each individual as desired) for validating knowledge units.

Identify, assess and reach a common agreement on such

knowledge units.

Encourage individuals to assemble their qualifications

themselves, notably through accreditation of such knowledge
units.

Methods

Support European cooperation in pinpointing ways of breaking

down the broad discipline fields into basic units.

Set up European networks of vocational training centres,

businesses and vocational sectors making it possible to
identify the technical and vocational knowledge in greatest
demand, the content of essential "key skills" and ways to
obtaining them.

Determine the best ways of accrediting knowledge (widely used

evaluation software packages, evaluators, tests, etc.).

Unify the projects undertaken along these lines within the

overall framework of a European accreditation system which
will award a

European label.

Devise formats for the personal skills card.

 - 37
-
This approach increases the
II. Second general job prospects for all
objective trainees.

"BRING SCHOOLS AND THE Therefore, bringing schools

BUSINESS SECTOR CLOSER and the business sector
TOGETHER" closer together is a priority
in which the social partners
Schools and businesses
must play their role and
mutually complement one
which involves three
another as places of learning
conditions.
and they should be brought
closer together. This
Firstly, education must be
happened in a number of
opened up to the world of
European countries a long
work. Without reducing the
time ago. In others it
point of education solely to
happened late and gradually,
the purpose of employment,
or not at all and the
an understanding of the world
separation of the worlds of
of work, a knowledge of
learning and production
enterprises and an insight
continues.
into the changes which mark

Building or reinforcing
bridges between schools and
businesses can do nothing
but good, for both sides, and
helps underpin equal
employment opportunities.
With respect to the world of
learning in the widest sense,
stretching from primary to
higher education, training
courses must be better
matched to employment
opportunities. As for the
business sector, it stands
gain workers possessing
technical qualifications,
basic skills and a general
cultural upbringing who are
able to think for themselves
and are receptive to change.
production processes are and firms.
some of the basics which
schooling must take into Reinforcing the links between
account. schools and the business
sector must be based
Secondly, companies must primarily on
be involved in the training apprenticeship/trainee
drive, not only as regards schemes. This approach is
workers but also young suitable for all qualification
people and adults. Training levels and is catching on in
higher education, following
cannot be seen purely as a
initiatives by engineering or
way of supplying skilled
business schools. For
labour to firms; enterprises
example, after incorporating
bear a responsibility, i.e. that
this method into its own
of giving a chance - often in
training approaches, a major
the form of a job - to those French business school, the
who were failed by the ESSEC, is now helping to
traditional education promote it at European level
systems. Companies need to in cooperation with other
grasp this more clearly.
Some have made substantial European higher education
efforts to reskill their staff, establishments such as the
thus enabling them to cope London Business School, the
with technological Università Bocconi in Milan,
innovation, while others have or the University of
not, throwing onto the
streets workers who clearly Mannheim.
could be re-trained.
Apprenticeship/trainee
Thirdly, cooperation must be schemes are able to provide
developed between schools young people with
- 38
-
both the required knowledge
plus experience of life and Closer links between the
work within companies. By worlds of education and work
providing them with their should also make it possible
first contact with the world to promote and revamp, both
of work, it places them at a initial and continuing
vocational training. This
considerable advantage for
covers all employees.
entering the job market.
Promotion of
One thing cannot be denied :
apprenticeship/trainee
Europe needs skilled
schemes at European level
production workers if it is to
will provide added value for
remain a major industrial
both young people and
power; it must uphold its
companies.
great tradition of skilled allowing engineers - as well
workmanship while adapting as workers - to understand
it to new production the process as a whole, from
conditions such as the production to sales and final
mastering of new
technologies, the importance
of maintenance and backup
activities, worker
empowerment for
independent working, team
working, involvement in top-
quality research, etc. More
generally, Europe needs a
type of vocational training no
longer broken down into
small specific areas and
compartments, but which
allows everyone to
understand, and thus to
master, the job they do and
even to improve themselves
in their job. This means, for
instance:

-
allowing
technicians
to

become
engineers

by

supplementing
their
training

with more
general instruction

in organisation,
management

and line authority, etc.;

use of the product Apprenticeship/trainee
(installation, maintenance). schemes

As the Commission's Apprenticeship/trainee

Communication on "The Craft schemes in
Sector and Small Enterprises:
keys to growth and Europe will be based and
employment in Europe" developed along the lines of
(Com(95)502 final) shows, the the ERASMUS model (see
service sector, the craft box). Support funds will be
sector and small enterprises made available by
are key to job creation. The redeploying current
emergence of new on-and-off- programmes, particularly
the-job training, matching new LEONARDO.
job profiles arising in the
service sector needs to be The aim is to improve
encouraged and training on opportunities for young
how to set up in business people returning to some
supported. extent, throughout the Union
and in the most diverse of
Innovation in the vocational
occupations, to the
training sector must also be
"journeyman" spirit, which
stimulated: innovation in
contributed so much to the
training will engender
quality of European products
innovation in the wider
and has demonstrated how
world.
important mobility is in
acquiring knowledge and
Against this background the
White know-how.

Paper proposes the following A major effort should be

measures: undertaken to set up the
necessary work-
- 39
-

shadowing/mentoring light of the Green Paper on

arrangements and provide obstacles to the
apprentices with someone to transnational mobility of
tutor them. This is a vital people in training.
prerequisite for developing
this approach, but is Parallel to this, more
sometimes difficult to widespread opportunities for
achieve. undertaking periods of in-
company training at
Finally, a European European level are to be
apprentice/trainee charter provided, through a
needs to be drawn up in the European agreement
involving business specifically geared to
confederations. service activities and
consumer needs, through
B. Vocational training interdisciplinary courses
provided, in part, within a
Training for the new company and leading to a
occupations in the service diploma or certificate for
sector is to be encouraged,
service-sector engineers or
emphasising the need for it to
technicians.
be multidisciplinary. For
example, training for jobs in Training in how to set up in
the tourism and business is to be fostered.
environmental protection The best ways of encouraging
fields, which are now fully people, young ones in
coming into their own, needs particular, to start up a small
to be promoted. business will be examined
with the Member States and
Support will also be provided
social partners. The Green
for training service-sector
Paper on Innovation will,
engineers and technicians.
however, show that a lot still
Production, installation,
needs to be done to simplify
maintenance/servicing, repair,
the bureaucracy required for
advice to users - services are
enterprise creation.
everywhere.
A European observation
The emergence of new
system to survey innovatory
consumer goods, particularly
vocational training practices
in the computer and
will be set up within the
communications technology
fields, is increasing Commission to facilitate the
considerably the demand for exchange and dissemination
services which of good practice and
manufacturers' or innovative projects within
distributors' after-sales the European Union.
service departments are not
always able to satisfy. In In the same vein,
areas such as these, service arrangements will be put in
training cannot be separated place for forecasting needs
from production. in terms of skills,
Therefore, the aim must be qualifications and new
to train engineers and occupations.
technicians more
- 40
-
Example N°2

Developing apprenticeship/trainee schemes in Europe

Aims

Develop all forms of apprenticeship/trainee schemes (on-and-

off-the-job training courses, etc.) at all levels across Europe by
facilitating mobility between various European
apprenticeship/trainee centres for meaningful periods.

Revive the traditional "journeyman" system to provide in-

training vocational and educational experience within various
cultural and company environments.

Promote new forms of tutoring and mentoring arrangements,

taking account of the European dimension.

Methods

• Set up and consolidate networks of apprenticeship/trainee

centres covering various European countries.

Foster apprentice/trainee mobility along the lines of ERASMUS.

Establish a European apprentice/trainee charter as part of the

follow-up to the Green Paper on obstacles to transnational
mobility of trainees.

- 41
-

III. Third general objective "COMBAT EXCLUSION"

 emphasizes the need to
The development of our promote two types of pilot
economies and the scheme to point the way
constraints of forward, of a type already
competitiveness have led to underway in some Member
several categories of the States to combat exclusion
population being left by the and develop a sense of
wayside (young people belonging, namely "second
without qualifications, older chance" schools and
workers, long-term voluntary service for young
unemployed, women re- people.
entering the job market). The
analysis in the first part of
the White Paper shows that A. Second chance schools
these groups are even more
vulnerable since access to The basic idea is simple:
knowledge is crucial to provide youngsters excluded
fitting into society and from the education system,
finding employment. or about to be, with the best
training and best support
In order to curb this process arrangements to give them
of marginalisation, Member self-confidence.
States have launched a series
of measures, based mainly on As school is indeed a "first
increasing the number of chance" giving every
training or back-to-work individual the opportunity to
schemes and various integrate into society, it has
measures aimed at to be said that,
reintegrating those facing the unfortunately, this is no
greatest difficulty and longer the case for the most
centring on action by local disadvantaged, who quite
groupings. One can, thus, see often do not have a suitable
the use of enterprise family and social setting to
initiatives and workshops and enable them to benefit from
other methods of re- the general education
integration through vocational
provided at school. Young
activities, clearly structured
people excluded from the
and leading to a qualification.
school system can now be
counted in tens of thousands
Funding such measures
in the major conurbations.
weighs very heavily on the
Without qualifications, they
public purse and the
have little hope of finding a
Community has made a
job and thus of integrating
major contribution via the
into society.
Structural Funds.
Pilot projects undertaken in
To supplement all the above
Member
measures this White Paper
 located.
States clearly show that a
second chance must not The task of such schools is to
mean "ghetto-schools". To an improve access to knowledge
increasing degree schools through employing the best
located in problem areas are teachers, if necessary paying
offering a second chance, or a higher than normal salary,
new centres of learning are through customising the pace
being set up, equipped with of teaching, providing new
additional resources incentives, arranging in-
company training, using
depending on where they are
multimedia and running
- 42
-

classes containing fewer

pupils (see box). During the G7 information
society meeting held in
Another aim must be to turn Brussels last
the school - in problem areas
where social and family February, the Americans
values are generally explained that young people
collapsing - into an dropping out of the
educational meeting place traditional training system
for the community where had found their way back to
teachers are present outside learning when provided with
school hours. computers and the best
teachers. They had quickly
Second chance schemes are taken to the idea of
intended for the entire interactivity, in contrast to
school population of a the passivity they had shown
deprived area, without in a conventional teaching
differentiating between setting. Such schools should,
those able to attend a as far as possible, combine
traditional type of school pupils whose schooling has
and those not able to do so, been interrupted and pupils
so as to avoid any form of capable of being taught by
segregation. traditional methods.

It should be noted that many In Israel, even before it

projects aimed at providing a became a State, a novel
"second chance" have long education system was
been in existence. In the USA, developed as part of the
500 "accelerated schools" "societies for the young" set
(see annex 3) have been set up in village communities,
up in urban areas and use making it possible to
consolidated and accelerated
teaching methods. receive and integrate child
refugees from Europe whose the earlier models as the first
family ties had been severed. step towards reintegration.
This educational approach - This is the case in the
known as Alyat Hanoar (see Netherlands, Spain and
annex 4) - has successfully
integrated young people France, where measures are
from being taken at local level. Of
Morocco, Russia, Ethiopia, the many European-level
etc. Since its inception this projects, one under the
system has educated and COMENIUS programme
integrated into Israeli involves five major European
society more than 300,000 cities (Antwerp,
youngsters, with a drop-out Bologna, Bradford,
Marseilles and
rate much lower than the
national average.
Turin), which have set up an
In a totally different context, educational partnership
but also to tackle a crisis aimed at socially integrating
situation, it is not surprising the children of immigrant
that local authorities in families through successful
Europe, with the support of school careers.
other groups, are reverting to
the idea, initially started in Some governments have given
Europe between the wars, of significant financial support
offering a second chance to second chance projects in
through schools. In problem big-city suburbs and have
suburban areas, pilot second positive discrimination
chance projects are being measures setting up specially
undertaken, involving greater designated local
resources (in terms of environments of the
teachers and infrastructure)
and drawing inspiration from 'free zone' type.
- 43
-
encourage the establishment
The Commission intends - of second chance schools on
notably - under the SOCRATES a wider scale.
and LEONARDO programmes -
to provide support for such B. European voluntary
second chance schemes via service
the co-funding of a certain
number of pilot projects, the Voluntary service initiatives
networking of projects under exist in a number of Member
way and the dissemination of States. Without substituting
pedagogical approaches (see for military service, it
box). Through this it aims to provides young people with a
begin a debate to discover chance to engage in an
whether the time is ripe to activity serving the common
good, either in their own made an increasing number
country or in a developing of requests for the adoption
one. of practical measures which
aim to promote voluntary
The European Union has also service at European level to
made a modest contribution complement actions at
- on an experimental basis - national level, in accordance
through the with the principle of
subsidiarity.
"YOUTH FOR EUROPE"
programme. Parallel to this, This is the spirit behind the
the ad hoc committee "A
YOUTHSTART programme Citizen's Europe" (Adonnino
contains provision - under report, 1985) and the
the heading of vocational European Parliament
training - for funding Resolutions of
measures supporting
initiatives to integrate 22 September and 5 October
youngsters lacking 1995. The idea of creating a
qualifications. "European voluntary service
for humanitarian aid", has
All these activities, although also been taken up the
interesting, are limited in intergovernmental
scope. Furthermore, they conference study group.
have not led to genuinely
multilateral projects. Since To promote the
no rules exist governing development of
such voluntary service, they
European voluntary
are fraught with many
service, the
obstacles as regards free
movement, taxation and Commission will:
social security.
- launch a support measure
The European Parliament, within the framework of the
several
existing "YOUTH FOR
Member States and some EUROPE" programme
voluntary sector
organizations have recently (already adopted by
the

Council and Parliament) for a

significant number of young
volunteers to undertake a
variety of public service
tasks outside their own
country. This voluntary
service could be carried out establishing a legal and
inside the financial framework on the
Community, in particular in basis of Articles 126 and 127
problem neighbourhoods and of the Treaty establishing the
outside the Community in
multinational teams working European Community, to
in developing countries; facilitate the development
and coordination of national
- examine the possibility of and Community projects in
the field

- 44 -
of European voluntary
service, in particular by
eliminating certain
obstacles to the free
movement of young
volunteers.

- 45
-
Example N°3

Providing a second chance through school

Aims

• Reintegrate young people without paper qualifications and

living in deprived areas in major conurbations through schemes
offering a second chance of obtaining an education, by
refashioning schools already located in such areas or setting
up new centres of learning.

• Provide pupils with highly competent teachers, deploying

especially qualified staff, paid as well as those in the most
reputable establishments.

Develop, among young people, motivation, the ability to learn

how to learn, basic knowledge and social skills.

Reduce class-sizes.

Methods

• Assemble additional European funds to support national or

regional funding for setting up pathways to integration.

• Introduce measures involving consultation and partnership

with the economic players so as to augment opportunities for
integration into employment when training pathways have been
completed.

Arrange, at the start of any training pathway, personal

sponsorship by a local SME or major company, if possible
backed up by a promise of employment if the relevant
qualifications or skills recognition are obtained.

Adopt teaching approaches customised in terms of pace and

drawing on the new educational technologies.

Network second chance schemes and spread pedagogical

methods.

Closely associate families with the school's activities and

approach.
Make full use (in association with companies) of information
and multimedia technologies.

Develop, on an intensive basis, sports and cultural activities.

46 -

Contact with another

IV. Fourth general objective language is not only
compatible with becoming
"PROFICIENCY IN THREE proficient in one's mother
COMMUNITY LANGUAGES" tongue, it also makes it
easier. It opens the mind,
Proficiency in several
stimulates intellectual
Community languages has
agility and, of course,
become a precondition if
expands people's cultural
citizens of the European
horizon. Multilingualism is
Union are to benefit from the
part and parcel of both
occupational and personal
European identity/citizenship
opportunities open to them
and the learning society.
in the border-free Single
Market. This language The European Union, for its
proficiency must be backed part, is contributing to the
up by the ability to adapt to development of language
working and living learning as part of LINGUA,
environments characterised now integrated in the
by different cultures. SOCRATES and LEONARDO
programmes.
Languages are also the key
to knowing other people.
Proficiency in languages
helps to build up the feeling
of being European with all its
cultural wealth and diversity
and of understanding
between the citizens of
Europe.

Learning languages also has

another important effect:
experience shows that when
undertaken from a very early
age, it is an important factor
in doing well at school.
It is no longer possible to essential for such teaching
reserve proficiency in foreign to be placed on a systematic
languages for an elite or for footing in primary education,
those who acquire it on with the learning of a second
account of their geographical Community foreign language
mobility. In line with the starting in secondary school.
resolution of the Council of It could even be argued that
Education Ministers of 31 secondary school pupils
should study certain
March 1995, it is becoming
subjects in the first foreign
necessary for everyone,
language learned, as is the
irrespective of training and
case in the European
education routes chosen, to
schools. Upon completing
be able to acquire and keep
initial training everyone
up their ability to
should be proficient in two
communicate in at least two
Community foreign
Community languages in
languages.
addition to their mother
tongue. The Commission Vocational training - initial
regrets the fact that the and continuing - must place
importance of this great stress on language
commitment was reduced, learning. This is of dual
the Member States limiting significance for working life
its effect by using the words because it constitutes a
major element in a person's
"if possible".
general cultural
development and is an
In order to make for
advantage when it comes to
proficiency in three
obtaining a job, either inside
Community languages, it is
one's home country or when
desirable for foreign
taking up the option of
language learning to start at
mobility available within the
pre-school level. It seems
Union.
- 47
-
All this presupposes the
availability of top-quality
education drawing on modern
materials, equipment and
methods customised to meet
the needs of the diverse
groups involved.

In keeping with this, the

White Paper proposes the
following support measures
at European level:

- Community support for the

introduction of assessment
systems (including
elaboration of quality
indicators) and quality
guarantee systems, covering
the methods and materials
used to teach

Community languages.

- Definition of a "European
quality label" and its award to
schools meeting certain
criteria regarding promotion
of

Community language learning

(see box).

- Support for exchanges of

language-teaching materials
suitable for different groups
(adults, the low-qualified,
young children, etc.).

-
Encouraging

the
early

teaching
of
Community

languages,
notably
through

the
exchange
of
teaching

materials and
experience in

this area.

- 48
-
Example N°4

"European quality label"

Aims

Promote the learning of at least two Community foreign

languages by all young people.

Encourage innovatory language-teaching methods.

Spread the daily use of European foreign languages in schools

of all levels.

Foster awareness of Community languages and cultures, and

their early learning.

Methods

Mobilising schools to provide learning of at least one

Community foreign language as early as primary school.

Define a "European quality label" quality label which would be

awarded according to the following criteria:

– genuine use by all pupils of one Community foreign language

at primary school and of two at secondary school.

– involvement of teaching staff from other EU Member States. –

use of methods promoting self-learning of languages.

– creation of an organisation for contact between young people

from different Member States (including via information
technologies).

Promotion of this label will make it possible to assemble

additional funding from the Member States (including local
authorities).

Networking establishments having obtained this label.

Systematically encouraging mobility to allow teachers to teach

their mother tongue in schools in another country, as permitted by
Community law and the ensuing changes made in civil service
structures.
 - 49
-

V. Fifth general objective

On the first, it should be
"TREAT CAPITAL noted that expenditure on
INVESTMENT AND education and training is
INVESTMENT IN TRAINING severely affected by the
ON AN EQUAL BASIS" economic cycle and
fluctuations in the levels of
The White Paper activity. This is particularly
acknowledges that true in the case of companies
investment in skills is a which, as recession bites, cut
prime factor in back substantially on their
competitiveness and expenditure in this area. As
employability. In order to put regards public expenditure,
this guideline for action into the context of austerity and
practice two items have to reduction of public sector
be analyzed in order to deficits calls for greater
attention to maintaining
produce proposals for
public investment in
action:
education and training.
-
As regards the accounting
investment
and fiscal approach, labour is
inputs
not considered as an asset. It
in is an operating cost and is
human included as such in the
company balance sheet in the
capital; form of remuneration and
taxes. The approach to be
explored is how to consider
know-how and skills acquired
-
by employees during the
accounting
course of their duties as
and
adding value to the company,
so that part of the
fiscal
expenditure on training and
salaries during the training
approaches
period can be
to

training

expenditure.
considered as depreciable addition, 'training fund'
intangible fixed assets and schemes should be devised
transferred accordingly on for those who wish to update
the balance sheet. their knowledge or to re-
embark upon training after
A priority task is to having earlier interrupted
consolidate the funding their studies.
levels agreed in connection
with education and training Development of the
(which implies measuring information society already
them), to develop direct and involves putting in place a
indirect incentives growing number of new
promoting investment in goods and services which
human resources and to will play an increasingly
improve accounting and important role in enhancing
expenditure monitoring knowledge. The fiscal
arrangements. systems in many Member
States already have some
It is especially desirable, as provisions allowing
the Commission has already individuals to offset against
proposed in its tax certain types of
Communication on "An expenditure on their training.
industrial competitiveness The time has come to ask
policy for the European whether such systems
Union" (COM 94/319 final), to should be reviewed and
introduce arrangements rapidly expanded to take
whereby companies which account of technological
have made a special effort in progress and to allow
training can enter some of citizens to devote the
this investment in their highest possible investment
balance sheet as part of to ongoing improvement of
their intangible assets. In their knowledge.
- 50
-
The White Paper proposes the
following support measures
at

European level:

measurement of investment
in education and training on
the one hand; and

promotion of investment in
human resources on the other.

General management charts

(tableau de bord) will be drawn
up for the EU showing public
and private investment in
education and training.

A survey of the arrangements

for aiding and encouraging
investment in education and
training in Europe will be
carried out, the aim being to
spread knowledge and
understanding about them.

On the basis of a study

covering the different fiscal
and accounting approaches
to companies' and individuals'
training expenditure,
consultation will be initiated
with

Member States on promoting

investment in human
resources as a fixed asset
(see box).
- 51
-
Example N°5

Promoting investment in human resources

Aims

Promote the perception of training as an investment and not as

operating expenditure.

Encourage people to invest in their own training along "training

fund" lines.

Foster cooperation between national systems from the point of

view of the accounting and fiscal approach to training
expenditure.

Bring the fiscal and accounting approaches to intangible

investment closer together, particularly as regards research and
training expenditure.

Methods

Identify the different arrangements for fiscal and accounting

handling of training expenditure by companies and individuals.

Assess the financial implications for Member States and

companies.

Build up Community expertise in ways of handling training

expenditure as an investment for companies and individuals.

Joint examination with the Member States and the social

partners of the legal and administrative arrangements for
treating training expenditure by companies as investments.
- 52 -
GENERAL CONCLUSION

The world is going through a period of transition and profound

change and the signs are that in Europe, as elsewhere, a new age
is about to dawn which is more variable and unpredictable than
those which went before.

There is no doubt that this new age - one of internationalisation

of trade, of the information society, of scientific and technical
upheaval - brings uncertainties and concerns, primarily because
it is difficult to see the direction of the future.

These uncertainties and concerns are without doubt stronger in

Europe than elsewhere. European civilisation has a long history
and is very complex. It is today divided between a deep thirst for
research and knowledge, the legacy of a tradition which made
Europe the first to bring about a technical and industrial
revolution and thus change the world, and a deep-seated call for
stability and collective security. This is a perfectly
understandable aspiration for a continent so long torn apart by
wars and divided by political and social conflicts. Unfortunately,
it is also one which can engender a reactionary reflex to change.

Yet this age of change is a historical opportunity for Europe,

because such periods in which one society gives birth to the next
are the only ones conducive to radical reform without violent
change. The increase in trade across the world, scientific
discoveries, new technologies, in fact open up new potential for
development and progress.

An eminent European historian, co-director of the "Annales" and

well-placed to compare this period of change with those that
preceded it, particularly the transition from the Middle Ages to
1
the Renaissance, said :

"The Europe of the Middle Ages and post-medieval times had to

face up to the Byzantine world, the Arab world and the Ottoman
Empire. The struggle today is fortunately set in a more pacific
context. Nevertheless, the existence of protagonists in history
gigantic by their size or by their economic strength, or indeed
both, means Europe has to achieve a comparable scale if it is to
exist, progress and retain its identity. Facing up to America,
Japan and soon China,

Europe must have the economic, demographic and political mass

capable of securing its independence.
Fortunately, Europe has the weight of its civilisation and its
common heritage behind it. Over 25 centuries European
civilisation has, in successive stages, been creative; and even
today, as one slogan goes, Europe's main raw material is
unquestionably its grey matter.

It is in the European dimension that a forward-looking society

can be built, capable at the same time of helping to change the
nature of things globally and of maintaining full awareness of
itself.

1
Jacques LE GOFF ­ La vieille Europe et la nôtre ­   1994 ­ Paris, Editions du Seuil.

- 53
-
This White Paper contends that it is by building up the learning
society of Europe as quickly as possible, that this objective can
be attained. This move entails radical change. All too often
education and training systems map out career paths on a once-
and-for-all basis. There is too much inflexibility, too much
compartmentalisation of education and training systems and not
enough bridges, or enough possibilities to let in new patterns of
lifelong learning.

Education and training provide the reference points needed to

affirm collective identity, while at the same time permitting
further advances in science and technology. The independence
they give, if shared by everyone, strengthens the sense of
cohesion and anchors the feeling of belonging. Europe's cultural
diversity, its long existence and the mobility between different
cultures are invaluable assets for adapting to the new world on
the horizon.

Being European is to have the advantage of a cultural background of

unparalleled variety and depth. It should also mean having full
access to knowledge and skill.

The purpose of the White Paper is to make it possible to exploit

these possibilities further; the recommendations it contains
cannot claim to provide an exhaustive response to the question.

Their aim is much more modest, namely to help, in conjunction with

the education and training policies of the Member States, to put
Europe on the road to the learning society. They are also intended to
pave the way for a broader debate in the years ahead. Lastly, they
can help to show that the future of Europe and its place in the world
depend on its ability to give as much room for the personal
fulfilment of its citizens, men and women alike, as it has up to now
given to economic and monetary issues. It is in this way that Europe
will prove that it is not simply a free trade area, but an organised
political entity, and a way of coming successfully to terms with,
rather than being subject to, internationalisation.
- 54
-
Annex 1

Some data and figures

Note:

The data and figures given below are taken from a number of
documents produced by the European Commission or the OECD.
As is the case with all statistics, all the more so when they are of
a comparative nature, they should be treated with caution,
especially since most of them refer to the 1991/92 year.

The data and figures on vocational training relate mainly to

continuing training (partly because in several Member States
initial training comes under the national education system, for
example in France, and is generally called technical training).
What is more, to the extent that continuing training is mainly a
matter for companies (and economic sectors), it is difficult to
obtain precise and overall figures.

EDUCATION

In 1993 there were nearly 117 million under-25s in the Union's

Member States, i.e. 32% of the population. Ireland has most young
people in relative terms (43%), i.e. one and a half times more than
Germany, which has the lowest percentage. Since 1973 the
percentage of under-25s in the population has decreased in all
Member States. Several countries with the highest percentage of
under-25s (Spain, Finland, Netherlands,

Portugal), experienced the greatest decrease. It should be noted,

too, that the percentage of under-25s in the population is very
unevenly distributed: from over 35% in southern Portugal,
southern Italy, northern half of France or in Ireland for example,
to less than 29% in the northern regions of Italy and the new
Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany.

During the 1991/92 academic year there were 67 million pupils

and students in the European Union, i.e. almost one-fifth of the
total population (based on Europe of the 12). Almost 60% of the
under-25s were enrolled in an educational establishment. If one
takes into account the pupils enrolled in pre-school education,
then almost 77 million under-25s were in education in 1992
throughout what was Europe of the 12, i.e. near on 70% of that
population group.

In 1991/92, the European Union (12 Member States) had over 22

million young people in primary education, i.e. over a third of the
population in education.

55 -
Nearly 35 million pupils were enrolled in secondary
education establishments in the European Union in 1991/92,
i.e. 52% of all youngsters in education. The corresponding
percentages vary only slightly between the countries: from
44% in Portugal to almost 60% in Germany. Throughout the
Union (particularly in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Austria
and Sweden) there are more young people in technical
secondary education than in the general academic sector
(almost 79% in Germany).

Nearly 10 million youngsters attended a higher education

establishment in 1991/92, i.e. 14% of all youngsters in
education: this percentage was highest in Denmark and
lowest in Portugal. It should be noted (still with reference to
1991/92) that 5% of the students were non-nationals (here
again with large variations between Member States – 10.4%
in Belgium and 1.4% in Greece).

Not all young people necessarily leave school with a

qualification: the ratio between the number of certificates
awarded and the number of 18 year-olds was 0.81 in the
European Union in respect of secondary education; the ratio
between the number of certificates awarded and the
number of 23 year-olds in the European Union for that same
year (1990/91) was 0.23. In both cases the situation varied
greatly from one Member State to another.

There were over 4 million teachers in the European Union

in 1991/92

(not counting higher education).

Most educational establishments throughout the European

Union are within the public domain: over 70% of
establishments come directly under the public sector. Italy
has the largest percentage of totally independent private
establishments (i.e. private and receiving less than 50% of
their resources from the public sector).

Over 20% of under-25s not in education were unemployed in

March 1995, this rate varying from 6.5% in Luxembourg to
over 45% in Spain. In all the Union countries, apart from
Germany, unemployment among young people is
significantly higher than the labour force as a whole.

As a general rule (except for Greece and Italy), there is a

direct relationship between level of education and
unemployment rate: the higher the former, the lower the
latter among young people: in
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy,
Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom this rate
amounted to or exceeded 15% for young people not
continuing past the first level of secondary education,
whereas in the same Member States it was below 10% for
those who had completed some form of higher education.

56 -
Expenditure on education accounts for a very large proportion of
public spending. Finland earmarks the largest percentage of GNP
to education (1992 figure), i.e. near on 8%. For the countries
where data were available, this figure varies between 7.9% and
5% (Germany, Netherlands). Except for the Netherlands, where
the proportion of private establishments is fairly high (3.3% of
GNP), almost all spending on education goes to establishments in
the public sector. There is not necessarily a direct link between
the percentage of GNP allocated to education and expenditure
per pupil relative to GNP per capita.

At present,
more
than 500 000
students are enrolled in higher-level

distance education in Europe, i.e. some 7% of the population

in higher

education.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

60% of young people were engaged in vocational training at

upper secondary level (63% of males and 58% of females) in
1991/92. The
United Kingdom is the only country where there are more
females in vocational training (59%) than males (52%).

Public expenditure on vocational training programmes was 0.5%

of GDP in 1993 as compared to 0.25% in 1985. It is estimated that
employers spend approximately 1.5% of the total wages and
salary bill on vocational training.
It is estimated that every year in the EU at least 20% of the
economically active population is engaged in continuing
vocational training/ education of various kinds for two weeks on
average.
According to a survey carried out in 1993 in 12 Member States,
some 5% of male employees and 6% of female employees aged
over 25 had undergone vocational training in the four weeks prior
to the survey.

The private sector is playing a larger role than ever as a training

provider. The number of training practitioners in the European
Union is put at over 60 000.

Although there are over 3 000 establishments of higher learning

in the European Union, their role in continuing training is modest.
In terms of persons involved, higher education establishments in
France account for 5%, the corresponding figure in Germany is 2
to 3%, whereas in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom it is over
10%.

Participation in continuing vocational training is linked to level

of

education. The figures, for Member States where the information

was available, indicate that people having undergone upper
secondary

- 57
-
education participate more in continuing training
throughout their working life than those who left the system
after lower secondary education.

- 58
-
Annex 2

Examples of Community programmes in the field of education and

training

1. Examples of mobility

ERASMUS (students)

Council Decision: 1987

Numbers concerned:1987–88: 3 000 students who received

grants 1995–96: 170 000 students who received grants

COMETT II (university-enterprise cooperation and traineeships in

industry for students)

Council Decision:
1988

Numbers concerned:
1990:
4
400
students
in
transnational

traineeships

1994:
8
700
students
in
transnational

traineeships
75% of companies participating in Comett projects were SMEs

PETRA II (young people in initial training and young workers)

Council Decision:
1991

Numbers concerned:
1992-94:
23 566 young people in initial VT

13 053 young workers

FORCE (continuing training in Europe)
Council Decision:
1990

Numbers concerned:
5 000 European partnerships, roughly 3 000 of which

being companies or consortia (inc. 70% SMEs) and

900 European training partnerships involving the social

partners in 720 projects

- 59
-
2. Examples of projects within the Socrates programme

• Higher Education Diploma in Administration and Management

(Hedam). This was the fruit of academic cooperation. The course
lasts for three years, 20% of the time being spent learning two
languages. 300 students are currently working for the
qualification. There are 22 partner institutions.

Distance learning project put forward by the European Federation

for the Education of the Children of Occupational Travellers
(Efecot). This brings together 40 national associations and groups
responsible for the education of children whose parents are in
itinerant jobs (bargees, fairground entertainers, circus artistes,
etc.). The project is also aimed at parents.

Euroling computerised teaching material for elementary and

intermediate courses in Italian, Spanish and Dutch. Can be used
independently or in groups. The project involves eight European
universities.

Polyphonia (European music network - ERASMUS): 12 musicology

faculties and European academies have formed a network for
cooperation to encourage student and teacher mobility (joint
courses and intensive programmes, joint examination boards).
This network has given rise to a chamber orchestra and a brass
ensemble.

Tradutech (European network of translation/interpreting

schools -

Erasmus): over 40 such European schools have since 1986 been

cooperating on of student and teacher mobility. A technical back-
up instrument for translation, Tradutech is one of the fruits of this
cooperation.
All the partners use the ECTS (European course credit transfer
system).

The learning of the European languages less widely used and

taught has been stepped up and a project which is unique in
Europe in the field of interpreter training in sign language is
currently being developed.

Diecec (European network of cooperation between towns in the

area of intercultural education - COMENIUS): in order to head off
deskilling and unemployment, five major European cities
(Marseilles, Antwerp, Bradford, Bologna and Turin) have created
an education partnership to promote the integration of the
children of immigrant persons by improving the rate of success at
school.

Adele (Apprentissage de la dimension européenne en langues

étrangères - LINGUA): by setting up transnational working parties
involving four countries (France, Portugal, Spain and Greece),
multimedia training modules are prepared jointly in order to
introduce the European dimension into education, backed up by
teaching method sheets for foreign language teachers.

60 -
Meithal (Initial teacher training and the European dimension -
COMENIUS): this network (whose name means "working
together" in Gaelic) has since 1990 being bringing together for a
one-month period around a specific theme ("art in Europe" in
1994) teachers and future teachers from 12 establishments from
eight European Union countries, the aim being to foster exchange
and reflection on the European dimension in the initial training of
teachers.

3. Examples of projects within the Leonardo programme

Quality system (FORCE): a consortium of Spanish, Irish and

Portuguese companies has organised a training programme
tailored to the needs of European SMEs as regards implementing
quality programmes ,seeking to incorporate quality into the
management strategy of companies and as a human resource
management instrument. This project has also contributed to the
dissemination of ISO 9 000 quality standards. The product is
available in four languages on CD Rom.

International programme for placement of young people in initial

training in the metal industries-(PETRA): organisation in Denmark
as part of an exercise managed by the joint committee for the
metal industries of a basic training programme which contains a
compulsory placement period abroad in all types of training.
Similar developments have followed through regulations in the
Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Euskal-Herria (COMETT): University-Enterprise Association for

Training

(UETP) involves ten companies, seven universities and eighteen

trade federations from the Basque country and other European
regions and has endeavoured to develop training and retraining
courses to improve the quality of the labour market for workers
needing retraining or workers who are unemployed.

Preparation and validation of a new workshop occupational

profile - the 'expert technician' (FORCE): this project targets
highly qualified employees; the partnership involves European car
manufacturers, dealers and training centres in several countries
and has led to the development of two multimedia educational
software packages relating to noise control techniques in cars
and the airbag.

Biomerit (European network in the field of biotechnology

training -

COMETT): this involves some 33 partners from 7 European Union

countries. Biomerit has in three years organised nearly 15 training
seminars involving around 900 participants. One of the main
achievements of Biomerit is to have familiarised both students and
researchers with work in

European networks and companies in order to introduce

biotechnological innovations in farms and SMEs.

61 -
Setting up business abroad (PETRA): business schools in
Denmark,

Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal work as a partnership on

the simulation of setting up transnational businesses as part of an
initial training network. Projects for setting up businesses abroad
are pursued in each training centre. These projects have a specific
aim and are scrutinised by local assessment boards (chambers of
commerce, companies) at a

"business fair".

Ecata (COMETT): a transnational training project in advanced

aeronautics technology. Seven universities from several
countries and eleven European manufacturers cooperate within
this partnership targeting young engineers. The training is
certified by a diploma and over 2000 hours of training have been
provided since 1990.

4. Examples of projects under the telematic project programme

₃ Learning through exploration and discovery: two consortia of

companies and educational institutions have set up two training
schemes - one for medical students and the other for technical
secondary students - based on intense use of simulated practical
work. The students are given integrated educational support
providing them with guidance and explanations on request. This
approach stresses inductive reasoning and should engender
knowledge which is deeper and more easily transferable (COAST
and SERVIVE projects).

₃ Inter-university cooperation to promote new educational

services: it is not enough to provide access to vast knowledge
resources, they must be structured to match the target
populations' needs, be attractive to students and motivate them.
This concept - of a "hot house" for knowledge defined and fed by
a consortium of universities (ARIADNE project) - is currently
being validated in a group of companies to check its economic
and social pertinence. A second consortium of universities is
trying out distribution of services via hybrid networks combining
cable TV, public telecommunications and research networks
(ELECTRA project).

₃ Training at SMEs: a consortium made up of technical education

institutions and SMEs is helping to develop a database covering
training course modules. Training service providers adapt
standard modules to their customers' specific needs. Users have
access to the training resources either via a company work
station or a local training centre (IDEALS project).

₃ Training at home: this type of distance training is the more usual

one, since advances in telematics allow top-quality pedagogical
support to be provided, coupled with improved trainer-trainee
interaction and a media-rich environment. The DOMITEL project is
experimenting with cable TV while

TOPILOT has opted for a solution customised for migrant workers

based on mobile data communications technology.

62 -
₃ Specialised training networks: a growing number of
training courses in leading-edge technologies are not
available at university, either because there is not enough
local demand to economically justify creation of an
advanced course, or because the research in question is
principally conducted by companies. Europe is the most
suitable level at which to organise such types of training.
Two consortia are assessing new training approaches
adapted to these new needs. The first is run by a network of
microelectronic research laboratories (MODEM) and the
second by a network of national meteorological institutes
(EUROMET).

- 63
-
Annex 3

The educational world of Alyat Hanoar

Alyat Hanoar is an institution in Israel specialising in education

of youngsters exposed to especially acute problems during
adolescence because of specific family, social or cultural
problems, which prevent them from growing into responsible
adults.

Initially launched in Germany in 1932 to save the children of

Jewish families suffering from discriminatory measures, mainly
in the employment field, this undertaking aimed at transferring
groups of such young people to Palestine and providing them with
education and training as part of "communities of independent
young people" in certain kibbutzim.

For nearly 30 years this organisation has continued, in particular,

to educate adolescent immigrants, more particularly traumatised
child survivors of the concentration camps and then adolescent
emigrants, without parents, from the
Maghreb and Iran. From the early 60s on Alyat Hanoar became
increasingly involved with adolescents from what is known as
"Second Israel", i.e. the vast numbers of people - from Morocco in
particular - who never integrated properly. In

1985 it again steered a new course, when it was given the task of
organising the adaptation, education and integration of all
youngsters among the 50 000
Ethiopian Jews transferred to Israel under particularly traumatic
and testing circumstances.

The keystone in this educational venture to achieve the

psychological, cultural and social reintegration of such
individuals is the "village of the young", or more precisely a
network of such villages. Such villages consist not only of
adolescent students (aged from 14 to 18) but also of teachers,
support staff ("mothers" or
"fathers", educators, instructors, psychology counsellors, social
workers, etc.) and technical/administrative personnel, many of
whom also live on campus, often with their families.

Social matters within this set-up are decided by a number of

bodies composed of students (student boards, various
committees, households and so on). Adult staff regularly attend
meetings with the village director where they are provided with
guidance on setting a good example for the adolescents, being
someone with whom the latter can identify, from whom they can
receive support and with whom they can interact.

The education provided within such villages has three main aims,
namely. to:

1. Foster individuals' independence and consolidate and develop

their personality through interaction among the students
themselves and between students and staff.

- 64
-
2. Expand upon the educational curricula laid down by the
Ministry of

Education, by taking a wider perspective and developing

whatever talents students possess - in the field of sport, art,
music, etc. - by means of courses, workshops, visits and other
complementary activities.

Foster the individual students' sense of responsibility towards

their group as such and society as a whole by delegating jobs to
each of them (taking turns to work in the refectory, library,
sports/playing fields, tidying up living quarters, etc.) or specific
tasks (giving extra teaching lessons, accompanying a student to
the community clinic, hospital, etc.).

The most remarkable feature of all, without any doubt, is that

this educational system operates with hardly any recourse to the
usual sanctions imposed by teachers or parents. Social pressure
takes over this role in the "village of the young" and is much
more effective.

The results achieved by this model are impressive. Not only has it
turned out a large number of leading figures, but the proportion
of drop-outs from this type of education is much lower than the
national average (3% as against 10%) despite the fact that a good
many of such adolescents had dropped out several times before.
The flexibility of this approach and its ability to overcome major
cultural differences and deep-seated prejudices have also been
borne out by the impressive results obtained, in less than ten
years, in integrating young immigrants from Ethiopia.

Since it was set up Alyat Hanoar has educated over 300

000 youngsters.

Nowadays, the sixty or so villages it operates contain over 17 000

adolescents, i.e. one third of the young people studying in a
similar framework, or 10% to 12% of students in the age group in
question.

The average annual cost per student in such villages is

relatively modest at

FF 35 000 to FF 45 000, teaching costs included.

- 65
-
Annex 4

The experience of "Accelerated schools" in the USA

A success story in the USA, "accelerated schools" constitute one

of the best solutions Americans have found to the crisis faced by
their education system, confronted with under-achievement by
near-on one third of primary and secondary pupils.

Such under-achievers, or "pupils at risk", are usually two years

behind the others; over half of them leave school without any
paper qualifications; most of them are from deprived and poor
areas and belong to ethnic minorities not speaking

English; many of them also come from single-parent families.

These accelerated schools are based on the conviction that all

pupils in the same age group are capable of reaching the same
level of academic achievement by the time they are of school-
leaving age. This means that under-achievers have to be made to
work at an accelerated pace as compared to better-off pupils,
which is done by providing schools of excellence for the former.

The concept underlying these schools is that the teaching

provided for "gifted" children is also suitable for all children. This
means not viewing under-achievers as slow on the uptake and
incapable of learning within the usual time frames, but - on the
contrary - setting them ambitious objectives to be achieved
within firmly fixed periods.

Every pupil, each parent, every teacher must be convinced that

failure is not inevitable. Those involved are called on to work
together, in cooperation with teaching staff, as a responsible
community which has taken full possession of all rights and
powers. After drawing up a common vision of what the school
should be like, this school community sets out to build an
accelerated school, firmly resolved to respond, on its own, to any
problems as and when they arise.

Such a community needs to be founded on the generally under-

used talents everyone has. The process of transforming the
school changes attitudes and creates a new culture.

The process takes about five months to come to fruition,

necessitating many hours of meetings and consultation between the
teaching staff, parents and pupils.

Schools pursuing this path must not be left with the feeling that
they are out on their own. They must receive support within a
network of schools adopting the same approach. In the USA they
have the support of teams at universities, Stanford University in
particular.

Several hundred such projects have been successfully

undertaken in the USA and form the object of studies and
publications encouraging their continuation.

- 66 -