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THE FIRST ASSESSMENT OF the progress of the lifelong learning strategy has been made by a working group including the European Commission. At the Feira summit in June 2000 the Council of Ministers called on Member States, the Council and the Commission to 'identify coherent strategies and practical measures with a view to fostering lifelong learning for all'. This was firmed up by a communication last November which plotted the way forward. Now the working group has come up with a picture of lifelong learning as it is today and it is not a uniformly pretty one. The report estimates that between 3% and 35%, according to the country studied, of 15 year olds have difficulties with literacy, numeracy and science which will hamper learning in later life. Between 10% and 40% do not finish their secondary education. The proportion of the adult population participating in education and training varies between 2% and 25% and this is regarded as too low.
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Percentage of teachers in EU states having received education and training in the 4 weeks prior to the survey |
Education Commissioner Viviane Reding commented 'If Europe is to achieve the goals set by the European Councils in Lisbon and Barcelona to make our continent a competitive knowledge-based economy and a world quality reference by 2010, important far-reaching reforms must now be introduced in most of our countries to make lifelong learning a reality'. To follow this up the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution on the subject which calls on Member States to set targets for an increase in investment in lifelong learning (currently between 3% and 8% of GDP); to stimulate private investment in learning; to promote learning at the workplace in co-operation with education and training establishments and the social partners; to improve the training of teachers involved in lifelong learning and to develop strategies for identifying and increasing the participation of groups excluded as a result of low basic skill levels.
THE LEONARDO DA VINCI programme which finances vocational training across EU borders has expanded again. 279 projects have been selected in 2002 with €89.7 million being allocated to them. This is an increase over both 2000 and 2001. Thirty states, including the candidate countries, are included. Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Education and Culture, said 'Leonardo da Vinci is a unique tool that enables young Europeans to take advantage of all training opportunities offered throughout Europe in various vocational fields. Looking at the trends emerging from the projects selected in 2002, I am convinced that issues such as the quality in vocational training and recognition of training are becoming more and more important' As well as these trends, other common denominators in the new projects are integration into the labour market, creating new employment opportunities, and the increased use of e-learning. Project proposals are sought for projects in the period 2003-2004.
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The UK national agency of the Leonardo da Vinci programme has a web site at: |
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