Doc. 7670
2 October 1996

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION on European exchanges in the field of vocational education and training

presented by Mr GROSS and others

1.       The Parliamentary Assembly considers that it is important to promote peace and international understanding through European exchanges in the field of vocational education and training.

2.       Thus a European scheme should be established allowing young occupational trainees, particularly from the countries in central and eastern Europe, to improve their knowledge and skills for periods usually not exceeding eighteen months in other European countries. Moreover, trainers from the latter countries should be encouraged to take their expertise to the countries of central and eastern Europe.

3       Opportunities for such periods of training and employment are often provided in bilateral agreements between the member states, but often are not taken up because of lack of information, because workers are also taken on outside the framework of these agreements, and because of high unemployment.

4.       The Parliamentary Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       study the possibility of establishing a scheme for European exchanges for the purpose of training and employment in the field of vocational education and training;

ii.       study the feasibility of extending and strengthening the "New Journey(wo)men of Europe" scheme launched by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe;

iii.       give greater priority to the promotion of youth mobility in the intergovernmental work programme.

Signed:

(see overleaf)

Signed:

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Akselsen, Norway, SOC

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Beaufays, Belgium, EPP

Brasseur, Luxembourg, LDR

Brennan, Ireland, LDR

Chyzh, Ukraine, UEL

Caceres, Spain, EPP

Diaz de Mera, Spain, EPP

Guirado, Spain, SOC

Iwiński, Poland, SOC

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Karaś, Poland, LDR

Karpachova, Ukraine, -

Kirkhill, United Kingdom, SOC

Kukk, Estonia, EPP

Pahor, Slovenia, SOC

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left