Professional qualifications: Commission launches consultation

Citation

(2001), "Professional qualifications: Commission launches consultation", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 8/9. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443hab.022

Professional qualifications: Commission launches consultation

Professional qualifications: Commission launches consultationKeywords: Professional qualifications, Recognition, Europe

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how to improve the EU regime for recognition in all member states of professional qualifications. The results will be taken into account when the Commission presents a proposal for a new directive, due before the European Council in spring 2002, to create a more uniform, transparent and flexible regime in this area. The objectives of this forthcoming proposal are to simplify and consolidate existing legislation, to improve the conditions for professional recognition and to liberalize service provision within the EU, while ensuring a high level of health and consumer protection. Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein said: "It is in the interests of not only job-seekers but also employers that people should be able to gain appropriate recognition of their qualifications throughout the EU as easily as possible. From a broader economic perspective, this is also in the interests of greater labour market flexibility and competitiveness. I would therefore like to encourage all who have an interest in the issue to submit their views on the future EU regime for recognition of professional qualifications."

The Commission hopes that responses to the consultation will enable it to draw on the experiences of national authorities and professional associations in developing a proposal for a new regime.

Meanwhile, the Council of European Professional and Managerial Staff (Eurocadres) has called for the establishment of a European platform for the recognition of qualifications. Michel Rousselot, president, told the Eurocadres annual congress that a Europe of innovation and knowledge could not be built without more coherent measures for true mutual recognition of qualifications. The congress was attended by Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs. The organization believes that too many obstacles remain to the free movement of labour in Europe.

Eurocadres, which represents 5 million managers in Europe, is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation.