The report confirms the importance of training for the European Union (EU) industrial policy. It demonstrates that sectors where training is firmly integrated in human resource practices have higher productivity gains. Such economic benefits are not only realised through developing workers' skills, but also thanks to higher job satisfaction and…

A survey offers the first overview of lifelong learning activities undertaken in the member states of the European Union, noting the strategies being implemented to varying degrees from one country to the next and presenting a first snapshot of the trends that have developed. The survey found that lifelong learning is a concept that emerged in the…

If Europe is to remain at the driving edge, economic and political progress must be complemented by offering a "European vision" to Europe's young people. All young Europeans must be guaranteed access to education and training culminating in acquisition of a foundation of recognized basic knowledge and skills and access to guidance and…

This situational analysis on vocational education and training in Kosovo provides an assessment of the key issues on that topic before the postwar rebuilding effort starts and also identifies short-term priorities, points to medium and long-term requirements, and recommends measures for the short-term that can be considered and carried out by the…

A comparative analysis of human resources development and management in the subsidiaries of three multinational companies (Xerox, Glaxo Wellcome, and AXA Nordstern Colonia) was conducted in these three European Union (EU) member states: Austria, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Case studies were used, focusing on competence needs and…

This six-part publication summarizes the main findings and conclusions of the second report on vocational education and training (VET) research in Europe. Part 1, VET Systems, Coordination with the Labor Market, and Steering, covers education and training systems, including regulation, coordination, steering and cooperation, finance,…

This document reports on a European Training Foundation Advisory Forum study of vocational education and training (VET) and retraining in the regions of the European Union (EU) that synthesized overviews of the general country situations regarding the territorial organization of the VET system and policy and relevant case studies concerning…

The financing of vocational education and training (VET) in Portugal was examined. The examination focused on the following topics: (1) the economic, political, legal, and administrative contexts of funding; (2) the funding framework for VET in Portugal; (3) initial vocational training (IVT); (4) continuing vocational training (CVT); and (5)…

The effectiveness of Phare vocational education and training (VET) reform programs conducted in 13 Eastern and Central European countries in 1993-1998 and lessons learned from the programs were examined through a review of information from the following sources: a cross-country analysis on curricular reform; a review of technical evaluation…

A 2-day conference on vocational training as an instrument to combat unemployment was held to discuss employment policy, vocational training, and decentralization in the context of the European Union's (EU's) accession strategy, current employment initiatives, and experiences of the EU's member states and regions. The conference included papers on…

This document contains 14 papers from the skills for the new millennium section of an international conference on vocational education and training (VET) for lifelong learning in the information era. The following papers are included: "Research on Vocational Education and Training as a Field for Knowledge Development--Starting Points for the…

This document contains 123 papers from an international conference on vocational education and training (VET) for lifelong learning in the information era. The papers focus on the following themes: (1) societal and ethical issues; (2) human resource development and personnel training; (3) international issues; (4) information technology in VET;…