Great Britain: European Social Fund Objective 4 (1998-1999)
The European Commission has approved the Single Programming Document (SPD) providing European structural assistance of ECU 2,474 million for Great Britain under Objective 4 of the European Social Fund (ESF) in the years 1998 and 1999. British regions, other than those covered by Objective 1, have not up until now benefited from funding for the activities falling under Objective 4. This Objective seeks to facilitate the adaptation of workers to industrial change and to changes in production systems. The SPD sets out the priorities for assistance and resources required. The priorities which form the basis of assistance for Great Britain include: - To develop anticipation tools used in the development of training programmes; - To target training on those individuals within companies who do not have relevant up-to-date skills; - To fund the development of innovative training systems; - To encourage improved networking between SMEs and large firms; - The dissemination of the results of research carried out under the first priority, above. The Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner, Padraig Flynn, welcomed the adoption of the programme pointing out that a particular feature of the SPD is the strong emphasis on lifelong learning, a key theme of the European Employment Strategy. The Commission hopes that the ESF will make a significant financial and policy contribution to the development of lifelong learning in the UK.
Countries
United Kingdom