Doc. 10552

18 May 2005

Vocational education and training, a key factor for lifelong employability

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Randegger and others

1.       Vocational education and training play an important part in the competitiveness of countries in the knowledge based society;

2.       New strategies for basic vocational education and training, lifelong learning and mobility are key to promoting employability, active citizenship, social inclusion and personal development;

3.       In the European labour market vocational education and training is no longer a national issue. The need to be able to follow individualised learning and work pathways between different levels of education and training, different occupations, different sectors and different countries is increasing;

4.       Therefore an urgent need exists to develop a common currency of qualifications and competences. The emphasis on quality in vocational education and training is essential to improve the standing of vocational qualifications and competences at international level;

5.       Enhanced European co-operation in vocational education and training – the Copenhagen Declaration – is moving decisively in the right direction;

6.       The Assembly therefore asks the Committee of Ministers to examine in what way the Council of Europe might support their process.

Signed ¹:

RANDEGGER, Johannes, Switzerland, LDR

BRASSEUR, Anne, Luxembourg, LDR

DEES, Dirk, Netherlands, LDR

DUPRAZ, John, Switzerland, LDR

HOOPER, Gloria, United Kingdom, EDG

JAŘAB, Josef, Czech Republic, LDR

KOCHARYAN, Shavarsh, Armenia, LDR

LEUTHEUSSER-SCHNARRENBERGER, Sabine, Germany, LDR

REYMANN, Marc, France, EPP/CD

SCHMIED, Walter, Switzerland, LDR

SCHNEIDER, André, France, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group