Work-linked training, apprenticeship: European pathways, EUROPASS-training formal recognition

In adopting the report by Mr Pierluigi CASTAGNETTI (PPE, I) on European pathways for work-linked training, the European Parliament stressed the impact of work-linked training in micro-undertakings and the craft sector as a means of integrating young people into the labour market and the beneficial effect of such training on employment. It called for these pathways to be an integral part of the training received in the State of provenance and not to be used as a means of job substitution there. In order to prevent the emergence of 'apprenticeship tourism', it called for the period of training to be not less than 3 months. It also called for: -the proportion of the Community contribution to be no less than 50% of the cost of the programme, -the 'pathways' to be open to anybody undergoing vocational training, whatever their age, -the training to be provided in accordance with labour and social security standards, -participation in a European 'pathway' and the use of the Europass certification not to confer any additional right or obligation on the beneficiary, -Europass certification to be issued by the organization responsible for training in the country of provenance, -teaching mentors to act closely with the competent professional bodies taking part in European pathways, -the Commission to coordinate supervision and evaluation of European pathways and set up, disseminate and monitor Europass in cooperation with the Member States and the two sides of industry, -Member States to facilitate the access of trainees to guidance regarding health and safety risks and procedures in the workplace and promote equality of opportunity, -the Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States, to establish a mutual information and coordination system to promote 'European pathways' and offset disparities among the various national systems, -the Commission to carry out an annual quantitative study of professional needs to enable national professional training plans to be adjusted in the light of the real needs of the market and to allow young people with the requisite qualifications to find jobs more easily on the European employment market, -a report to be drawn up three years after the entry into force of the proposal, concerning the impact of 'European pathways' on mobility in work-linked training, incorporating any proposals needed to supplement the measure.�