First LEONARDO DA VINCI vocational training projects launched
The European Commission, DG XXII, has selected a total of 749 projects, to receive aid amounting to ECU 89.7 million, as the first projects to be implemented under the LEONARDO DA VINCI action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy (1995-1999). The LEONARDO DA VINCI programme, which has a budget of ECU 620 million for the period 1995-1999, has four objectives: - To improve the quality of vocational training in Europe; - To encourage exchanges and placements; - To achieve a better understanding of vocational training; - To encourage adaptation to the information society. It is designed for students, young people, and workers undergoing continuing training. All projects must involve at least two Member States, or other participating countries. The programme is also open to Central and Eastern European countries, and Malta and Cyprus. The first call for proposals for LEONARDO DA VINCI was launched on 24 May 1995 (OJ No C 128 of 24.5.1995 p. 14). A total of 4,542 proposals were received in response to this call, of which 749 were selected for funding. These include: - 555 pilot projects; - 121 placement or exchange programmes; - 26 projects for the multiplication of results already achieved; - 47 survey and analysis projects. The projects selected include a large number involving new information and communication technologies and nearly 12% of projects target disadvantaged social groups. Twenty-one per cent of partners in projects are SMEs, while a further 32% of promoters are training establishments and bodies. Examples of projects selected include: - Encouraging social dialogue between workers' and employers' organizations; - Applying interactive multimedia technologies to foreign language teaching; - Training for young people coming out of penal establishments; - Training in work organization in the motor industry; - A network of regions engaged in training provision; - Skills training for vocational guidance counsellors; - Placements of students in industry; - Analysis of SME investment in training.