PETRA publications
Over the past seven years, the PETRA programme has made a significant contribution to the development of policy and practice in initial vocational training and vocational guidance. Soon, individuals and institutions who have not had the opportunity of participating in PETRA will be able to benefit from its expertise. Several publications which reflect the programme's achievements are being produced by the European Commission in close cooperation with the Member States and their PETRA National Coordination Units. They will become available, at different times, between autumn 1994 and the end of 1995. However, it is considered important that, at this early stage, as many individuals and institutions as possible are aware of these publications which may be of assistance to them in improving the quality of their services, or in adding a European dimension to their existing activities. A number of the forthcoming publications are outlined below. - "Responding to new skill needs": All training systems face the problem of ensuring that their trainees are adequately prepared for the current, and particularly the future, demands of the labour market. "Responding to new skill needs" reviews the strategies which are used to identify new skill requirements and the ways in which initial vocational training can respond to, or anticipate, such demands. Potential audience: Policy makers and individuals who are responsible for planning, developing and implementing training programmes at national, regional or local level. Availability: Early 1995. - "A strategy for success": Throughout the European Union, almost 30% of young people leave educational and training systems without any meaningful vocational qualifications and are ill prepared for the world of work. "A strategy for success" demonstrates how existing training can be restructured and the skills of trainers changed and extended to meet the needs of such young people. Potential public: All those who have a contribution to make to the development of new approaches to the training of disadvantaged young people. Availability: Spring 1995. - "Improving opportunities for young women": Despite all the attention which has been paid to the subject of equal opportunities, young women still encounter major problems if they want to take part in non-traditional forms of training and to have realistic employment and career prospects. "Improving opportunities for young women" sets out guidelines for the interest groups mentioned below which will help each of them to develop and implement an effective equal opportunities policy. Potential audience: Training providers, guidance and employment services, industry and commerce and the trade unions. Availability: Summer 1995. - "Promoting initiative and creativity": Changes in the labour market and the problem of unemployment necessitate new qualifications, new attitudes towards work and new types of employment for young people. "Promoting initiative and creativity" looks at the application of the concept of enterprise education from three different perspectives: the development of transferable skills; the development of basic skills; and the creation of employment. Potential audience: Training providers and trainers, industry, commerce and the trade unions and also those who work with young people in more informal settings. Availability: Early 1995. - "The PETRA compendium": Within PETRA, a number of new approaches have been tested and a variety of training modules and tools developed. It is important that this knowledge and expertise and these resources are made available to others interested in transnational activities, so that they can learn and progress from what has already been achieved. The "PETRA compendium" contains information on PETRA's participants, methods and products, and comprises: - Annual listings of all PETRA operators; - An inventory of transnational activities and their outcomes; - Information about the many products developed within the programme. Potential public: Managers and staff within training institutions and guidance services. Availability: First volume: Early 1995: Complete Compendium: Autumn 1995. - "The potential of transnational placements" Transnational mobility in vocational training is now an explicit aim of EU training policy. However, it is necessary to ensure that this mobility has clear training objectives and focuses on the development of skills which will assist young people's integration into the labour market. "The potential of transnational Placements" records the development of transnational mobility in Community programmes such as the Young Worker's Exchange programme, LINGUA and PETRA. It demonstrates the value and relevance of transnational training and work experience placements to the development of the European dimension in national vocational training policies and the impetus that such activity can give to the development of a European training area. Potential public: Policy makers, industry, commerce and the trade unions, and operators of placement programmes. Availability: Early 1995. - "The new European training context": The creation of the single market presents challenges to vocational training throughout Europe. Apart from the need to give increased attention to language training, there is also a need to integrate a strong European dimension into existing training courses. "The new European training context" highlights those products which have been produced within PETRA's European Network of Training Partnerships in order to respond to these needs. These products represent new transnational approaches to, firstly, the development of transversal skills and, secondly, the development of technical skills, specific to certain sectors. Potential audience: Policy makers, training institutions, industry, commerce and the trade unions. Availability: Autumn 1995. - "European challenges for the training of trainers": If a European dimension is to be successfully introduced into existing training programmes, then trainers themselves require additional knowledge and additional skills. "European challenges for the training of trainers" provides an overview of the best practice in the training of trainers which has been developed in transnational projects within PETRA, looks at relevant activities in other Community programmes, and indicates how these new approaches might best be disseminated and applied. Potential audience: Institutions responsible for pre-service and in-service "training of trainers" programmes. Availability: Spring 1995. - "Training package for transnational partnerships": Transnational partnerships are a fundamental aspect of existing Community actions and will continue to be a key element in the new EU programmes for education, training and youth which will be introduced in 1995. This Training Package builds on existing knowledge and expertise to develop a number of modules which can be combined in different ways to create training programmes of approximately 40 hours' duration. The package covers practical aspects such as transnational financial management, information technology, transport and accommodation arrangements, and also more complex issues such as intercultural communication and the animation of partnerships. Potential audience: Current and potential organizers of transnational training partnerships. Availability: Autumn 1995.