Council common position on LEONARDO DA VINCI programme of vocational training

The Council has published its common position (EC) No 31/94 of 18 July 1994 with a view to adopting a Council Decision establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy. Entitled LEONARDO DA VINCI, the programme will be ...

The Council has published its common position (EC) No 31/94 of 18 July 1994 with a view to adopting a Council Decision establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community vocational training policy. Entitled LEONARDO DA VINCI, the programme will be implemented for the period from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1999.

The objectives of the programme are to:

- Improve the quality and innovation capacity of Member States vocational training systems;
- Develop the European dimension in vocational training and vocational guidance;
- Promote lifelong training so as to encourage the ongoing adaptation of skills to meet the needs of workers and undertakings, contribute to reducing unemployment and facilitate personal development;
- Give all young people in the Community the possibility of vocational training after compulsory education;
- Encourage specific vocational training measures for adults without adequate qualifications;
- Enhance the status of vocational education and training and promote the recognition of academic diplomas and vocational qualifications;
- Prepare young people for adult and working life, taking account of the requirements of society and technological change;
- Encourage specific vocational training measures for disadvantaged young people without adequate training;
- Support vocational training policies in such a way that all workers in the Community have access to continuing vocational training throughout their working life;
- Promote equality of opportunity as regards access for men and women to vocational training;
- Promote equality of opportunity as regards access for migrant workers and their children and the handicapped to vocational training;
- Promote cooperation on skill requirements and training needs;
- Encourage the understanding of key skills relevant to technological development and the requirements of the labour market;
- Promote vocational training in the light of the results of technological research and development programmes, particularly by means of cooperation between universities and undertakings in the sphere of training in technologies;
- Promote the gradual development of an open European vocational training and qualifications area;
- Support activities aimed at developing linguistic skills;
- Promote the development of vocational guidance facilities with a view to providing every individual with the opportunity to have lifelong high-quality vocational guidance;
- Foster the development of methods of self-training at the workplace and of open and distance learning and training;
- Encourage the development and integration of key skills in vocational training measures, with the aim of promoting the acquisition of flexible qualifications and personal skills necessary to worker mobility and the needs of undertakings.

ECU 620 million will be allocated to the programme for its implementation.