Continuing Education and Training and the Labour Market. Synthesis Report on a Conference Organized by CEDEFOP (Berlin, West Germany, March 8-9, 1984).

Overview & Synopsis

This synthesis report summarizes a conference organized to examine the current situation regarding the continuing education and training of adults in the European Community and to formulate proposals for action. Some 60 conference participants examined various research reports, conducted discussions, and presented papers on three major topics: continuing education and training strategies, current policies and programs, and innovative approaches to technological and economic change. The conference participants concluded that continuing education and training for adults lacks resources and has unequal access, unequal distribution among enterprises of various sizes, and inadequate training techniques and contents. The conference concluded that the approaches lacked consistency. The following recommendations were made: (1) reforming education and training policies and provisions; (2) formulating a better response to the needs of underprivileged groups; (3) reforming initial education and training systems; (4) using continuing education and training as a local and regional development tool; (5) making industry play its part; (6) developing more rational and more consistent methods of financing; and (7) facilitating the exchange of ideas and experience in the European Community. (KC)