Report explores ways of promoting lifelong learning

Citation

(2006), "Report explores ways of promoting lifelong learning", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448gab.011

Report explores ways of promoting lifelong learning

Ways of promoting the lifelong development of competences and qualifications in Europe, to help to make Europe the most dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010, are contained in a report by the main employer and trade-union organizations. The study, the result of four years’ research, was presented to the immediate past, present and future chairmen of the European Education Council, plus the European Commissioner for Education, Mr Jan Figel.

The report points out that 80 million people in Europe are considered low skilled. The average age of the population in Europe is rising, and companies face greater skill shortages. To be fit for future jobs, workers need higher skill levels, and up-to-date and adaptable competences. In order to respond to these challenges, to alleviate obstacles to companies’ competitiveness and to raise the employability of workers, European trade-union and employer organizations decided in 2002 to co-ordinate their work in the field of lifelong learning. They have monitored progress annually and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of this work in 2006.

The report analyses the impact of more than 350 initiatives, 108 of them aimed at identifying skill needs, 89 at finding ways to validate competences, 53 at informing and guiding companies or workers, and 100 at mobilizing resources efficiently. Among the initiatives analysed, more than 70 concern companies’ good-practice examples and 280 comprise initiatives at sectoral or national levels. The report points out that, through their co-ordination process, the trade unions and employers have achieved greater focus and efficiency in their actions in each member state. Competence development has been enhanced as a shared interest for employers and employees and the joint work has helped to find concrete solutions to modernize education and training systems.

In order to continue contributing to the European growth and jobs strategy, the trade unions and employers will build on this work over the next two years.

Meanwhile, ministers meeting in the European Education Council made a start on draft recommendations on key competencies for lifelong learning. Ministers backed the general approach proposed by the Commission, which identifies the eight basic competencies a person needs to be a “fully integrated citizen” in the modern, knowledge-based society. These are: communication in the mother tongue; communication in one or more foreign languages; mathematical, scientific and technological competencies; digital competence; learning to learn; intercultural and social competencies; entrepreneurship; and “cultural expression”.