PETRA to provide 15,000 foreign training placements for young people
PETRA, the Community action programme for the vocational training of young people and their preparation for adult and working life, will provide 15,000 foreign training placements in 1994. The placements will take the form of vocational training periods in another Member State, either in an educational establishments or a company. This will enable young people to complete their vocational training and to acquire additional professional experience. The aim of PETRA is to ensure that young people have access to at least one year's vocational training upon completion of their compulsory education. Since 1988, 220,000 young people have benefited from vocational training abroad. This year, 20% of foreign training placements will be aimed at young people from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as young people who leave educational or training systems without qualifications. This could include young people who have been unemployed for a long time, who come from disadvantaged regions or backgrounds, who find it hard to adapt socially, or who are handicapped. There are two types of placement: - Placement in an educational or training establishment abroad for young people who are still at school or following a training course; - A vocational training period in a foreign company for young people already in employment or who are unemployed. The focus this year will be on disseminating the results of the programme and contributing towards improving training policy for young people in the Member States. Experience gained from the programme will be used to determine future Community action in the field of vocational training. In 1995, PETRA will become part of the LEONARDO DA VINCI programme.