Vocational training policy: Community action programme 1995-1999, LEONARDO DA VINCI

The Commission's amended proposal for a decision is broadly based on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament, especially the amendments seeking to: - promote equal opportunities and training projects specifically for women; - strengthen the linguistic dimension of projects under the programme which address the needs of socio-economic circles; - integrate the representation of social partners at both Community and national level; - extend access to vocational training to social categories which receive too little training; - enhance measures to coordinate the programme, especially at Member State level; - ensure that the programme follows on from present projects by relying on networks already set up; - strengthen career guidance measures in the programme; - develop exchanges and mobility; - make provision for specific measures for young people, especially those with inadequate training; - supplement the measures provided for making use of new training technologies. However, the Commission rejected the amendment opening the programme to the associated eastern European countries and the amendment concerning the role of the European Vocational Training Foundation. It also rejected the amendment on the composition of the programme committee, the amendment allocating duties to the advisory committee on vocational training, the amendment imposing binding measures on Member States as regards vocational training and social protection within the framework of the freedom of movement, the amendment seeking to break down the programme budget and the amendment extending current programmes. Finally, the Commission does not want specific current networks to be automatically renewed.�