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This report provides a statistical representation of the 80 million young people (50 million aged between 15 and 24; 80 million including 25 to 29 year olds) living in the Member States of the European Union (EU) at the time of the study. It describes the major trends, similarities and contrasts between Member States in the areas of education, training, transition to the labour market, family life and living conditions. Two major themes emerge from the study: (1) the percentage of young people in the population is gradually declining in every Member State of the EU; and (2) the characteristic stages in the transition from full-time education to employment are slowing down, i.e. young people are staying in education longer, taking more time to move from education to work, and starting families later in their lives. Although these trends are common, national characteristics and policies influence the stages of transition to adult life. The report contains the following chapters: Introduction; Education is taking longer; A longer transition between education and work; Putting off starting a family; Living conditions, health, ideals … are young adults very different from their elders? Show less

The present survey analysis summarises the findings of 93 interviews conducted among large European enterprises (81) and a number of labour- and business associations (12) on challenges and practices related to competence development. The survey is a key part of the preparations for the first upcoming European Business Forum on Vocational Training and services the following purposes: a knowledge base for drawing up the agenda and identifying suitable speakers; a basis for identifying workshop topics; input for the background notes that will help steer the debate on the most important issues related to competence development in workshops; and together with the Forum conclusions, it will provide input for a final assessment of challenges, trends, solutions and best practices in the area of competence development in large European enterprises.

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This report provides detailed analytical results of the Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS), carried out in 1994, which is based on elaborate questionnaires and interviews with the managers of 50 000 European enterprises in the then 12 Member States. Results are tabulated and analysed for: training offered by enterprises; training courses; training policies; and management. Show less

This [conference] paper provides a tentative review of the literature that estimates wage returns to training. It discusses both the measurement and estimation issues. The fundamental problem concerning the recovery of the causal effect of training on earnings lies in the correction for selectivity into training. The discussion of the empirical literature emphasises the size of the estimated returns; something which has been largely neglected in the literature. It is argued that traditional studies that depend on differencing (fixed effect) methods where non-participants are used as a comparison group results in high return estimates. On the basis of these high returns, some have argued that there is substantial under-investment and therefore scope for public intervention. Such under-investment could arise because of, for example, hold-up or liquidity constraints. The paper then shows that studies which exploit arguably exogenous variation in training participation find much smaller wage effects of training. The evidence collected in this paper calls into question the case for under-investment based on return studies. There is other evidence which suggests that under-investment may be less severe than previously believed. First, recent literature in experimental economics shows that individuals are often motivated by reciprocity and fairness considerations which are typically ignored in standard human capital models, while reciprocity can alleviate under-investment. Second, recent literature emphasising market imperfections also shows that imperfections may give employers more incentives than previously thought to invest in the general training of their employees. The paper concludes by calling for further study of training mechanisms and subsequent outcomes. Some potential avenues for research in this area are given.

Published abstract.

Selected papers from the conference are indexed from TD/TNC 87.81 to TD/TNC 87.84. Show less

At the heart of our social fabric, culture shapes our identities, aspirations and relations to others and the world. It also shapes the places and landscapes where we live, the lifestyles we develop. Heritage, visual and performing arts, cinema, music, publishing, fashion or design manifest themselves strongly in daily life but the contribution that cultural and creative sectors can bring to social and economic development in the [European Union] EU is still not fully recognised. Furthermore, major challenges are brought about by globalisation and the digital shift but the necessary adaptations are yet to be promoted to allow these sectors to realise their full potential and Europe’s long-standing excellence to be better valorised as a comparative advantage on the world scene. This paper proposes a strategy to exploit further the potential of these sectors in the EU to contribute to growth and jobs.

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The 'Rethinking education' communication supports the Member States by identifying a range of issues relevant for improving the efficiency of education and training systems. This document highlights the evidence base for the policy proposals outlined in the 'Rethinking education' communication on vocational education and training (VET) and vocational skills. The Bruges Communique of December 2010, which defines the European VET strategy up to 2020, calls for an active policy to enhance the potential of VET to support smart and sustainable growth, and to turn VET across the [European Union] EU into a highly attractive learning choice. This document responds to this demand, helping Member States and other stakeholders put into practice the reforms needed to exploit the potential of VET for growth. Its findings are based on analyses, coordinated by the European Commission in cooperation with Member States, of best policy practice across the EU and beyond, and on comparative data and current research. It summarises key results of exploratory work by the Commission involving experts representing key VET stakeholders. It highlights the unexploited potential of VET to support economic development, notably by better integrating VET in economic growth strategies at local, regional and national levels. Furthermore, it identifies for policy makers concrete steps which can facilitate this kind of development. It also attributes specific attention to issues of sustainable development, which will be one of the key drivers of change to be reflected in VET policies and practices.

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This Communique, which follows the Copenhagen Declaration (2002) and Maastricht Communique (2004) sets the priorities and strategies for the European cooperation in vocational education and training [VET] for the next two years. The Communique is based on the Council Conclusions adopted on 14 November 2006 and the background document prepared by the Finnish Presidency. Its aim is to communicate European policy strategies in the area to all stakeholders, including VET providers/institutions, teachers, trainers and learners.

The Communique has four parts: (1) Europe needs investments in VET - this part addresses the challenges for the European VET policies; (2) Making it happen - The Copenhagen process delivering reforms - this part describes the role of the Copenhagen process in responding to the European challenges and outlines the main strategies for continuations of the process; (3) Reviewed priorities - this part describes the four priorities for the next period; and (4) Implementation and reporting - guidelines for the implementation.

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This report has been undertaken as the culmination of the PIMLICO survey which was commissioned by the European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC). The interviews with the 40 selected small and medium-sized [SME] international companies across 27 [European Union] EU member states were undertaken by a team of selected international researchers whose work provided the essential empirical data for the study. Their field reports of international SME trading activity using languages were collated to provide key insights into how exemplar companies employ language management strategies to improve their performance and particularly their bottom line.

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The objective of this study was to provide the European Commission and decision-takers in member states with practical information and analysis of the use of language skills by [small and medium-sized enterprises] SMEs and the impact on business performance. Alongside the collection of statistical data a number of examples of good practice were collected, illustrating the value of language skills and their application across a range of industry sectors and European member states.

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The Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills is a new framework for strategic cooperation to address short and medium-term skills needs in a given economic sector. The publication outlines how stakeholders (businesses, trade unions, public authorities, research, education and training institutions etc.) can apply the framework to address sectoral challenges, illustrating the steps towards delivering sector-specific skills solutions through sectoral partnerships. The Blueprint currently focuses on six pilot sectors including: automotive; defence; maritime technology; space (geo-information); textile, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF); and tourism. It will be extended to additional sectors in the future.

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