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		52014DC0420

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the Netherlands' 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on the Netherlands’ 2014 stability programme /* COM/2014/0420 final */

Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
on the Netherlands' 2014 national reform
programme
and delivering a Council opinion on the Netherlands’ 2014 stability programme
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning
of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary
positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies[1], and in particular
Article 5(2) thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No
1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on
the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances[2],
and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation of the
European Commission[3],
Having regard to the resolutions of the
European Parliament[4],
Having regard to the conclusions of the
European Council,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Employment Committee,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Economic and Financial Committee,
Having regard to the opinion of the Social
Protection Committee,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Economic Policy Committee,
Whereas:
(1)
On 26 March 2010, the European Council agreed to
the Commission’s proposal to launch a new strategy for growth and jobs, Europe
2020, based on enhanced coordination of economic policies, which will focus on
the key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for
sustainable growth and competitiveness.
(2)
On 13 July 2010, the Council, on the basis of
the Commission's proposals, adopted a recommendation on the broad guidelines
for the economic policies of the Member States and the Union (2010 to 2014)
and, on 21 October 2010, adopted a decision on guidelines for the employment
policies of the Member States, which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’.
Member States were invited to take the integrated guidelines into account in
their national economic and employment policies.
(3)
On 29 June 2012, the Heads of State or
Government decided on a Compact for Growth and Jobs, providing a coherent
framework for action at national, EU and euro area levels using all possible
levers, instruments and policies. They decided on action to be taken at the level
of the Member States, in particular expressing full commitment to achieving the
objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and to implementing the country-specific
recommendations.
(4)
On 9 July 2013, the Council adopted a
recommendation on the Netherland's national reform programme for 2013 and
delivered its opinion on the Netherlands' updated stability programme for 2012-2017.
On 15 November 2013, in line
with Regulation (EU) No 473/2013[5], the Commission presented its opinion on the Netherlands' draft
budgetary plan for 2014[6].

(5)
On 13 November 2013, the Commission adopted the
Annual Growth Survey[7],
marking the start of the 2014 European Semester of economic policy
coordination. On the same day on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, the
Commission adopted the Alert Mechanism Report[8],
in which it identified the Netherlands as one of the Member States for which an
in-depth review would be carried out.
(6)
On 20 December 2013, the European Council
endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability, fiscal consolidation
and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to pursue differentiated,
growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal lending conditions to
the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to tackle unemployment and
the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise public administration.
(7)
On 5 March 2014, the Commission published the
results of its in-depth review for the Netherlands[9], under Article 5 of
Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011. The Commission's analysis leads it to conclude
that the Netherlands continues to experience macroeconomic imbalances, which
require monitoring and policy action. In particular, macroeconomic developments
regarding private sector debt and ongoing deleveraging, coupled with remaining
inefficiencies in the housing market, deserve attention. Although the large
current account surplus does not pose risks similar to large deficits, and is
partly linked to the need for deleveraging, the Commission will follow current
account developments in the Netherlands in the context of the European
Semester.
(8)
On 29 April 2014, the Netherlands submitted its
2014 national reform programme and on 30 April 2014 its 2014 stability programme.
In order to take account of their interlinkages, the two programmes have been assessed
at the same time.
(9)
The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined
in the 2014 Stability Programme is to ensure that the correction of the
excessive deficit in 2013 is sustainable, and to reach a budgetary position
close to the medium-term objective by 2015. The medium-term objective is a
structural deficit of no more than 0.5% of GDP, reflecting the requirements of
the Stability and Growth Pact. Additional sizeable fiscal measures were
implemented, but the (recalculated) structural balance in 2014 is planned to
remain constant compared to 2013, which points to a significant deviation from
the required minimum adjustment of 0.5% of GDP. In 2015, the (recalculated)
structural balance is planned to improve by 0.3 pp. of GDP. Expenditure would
grow at a pace consistent with the expenditure benchmark both in 2014 and 2015.
Following an overall assessment of the Netherland's budgetary strategy, the
adjustment path towards the medium-term objective is partly in line with the
requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact. According to the Stability
Programme, general government gross debt is stabilising in 2015 and decreasing
thereafter. The macroeconomic scenario underpinning the budgetary projections
in the programme is plausible, and was prepared by the independent Netherlands
Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis. Risks to the budgetary targets appear to
be sizeable but broadly balanced. The Commission 2014 spring forecast expects a
stabilisation of the structural balance in 2014 and an improvement of 0.5% of
GDP in 2015. According to the Commission forecast, the Netherlands would comply
with the expenditure benchmark in 2014, but not in 2015. In order to enhance
the growth potential of the Netherlands, it is of paramount importance that the
required consolidation safeguards growth-enhancing expenditure, such as
innovation and research, including fundamental research, education and
training.  Based on its assessment of the programme and the Commission forecast,
pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion
that the Netherlands has brought its general government deficit sustainably
below 3% of GDP in 2013, but is at risk of significantly deviating from the
requirements of the preventive arm as from 2014.
(10)
A key challenge lies in the housing market,
where rigidities and distortive incentives have built up over decades to shape
house financing and sectoral savings patterns. Households' tendency to leverage
up gross mortgage debt against housing wealth largely reflects long-standing fiscal
incentives, notably the full tax deductibility of mortgage interest. Since
April 2012, a series of measures have been implemented to partly address these
incentives. Some of these involve adjustments to the fiscal treatment of
housing finance. The gradual move to limit mortgage interest tax deductibility
and increase the incentive to amortise is warranted, but the phasing-in of this
measure is too slow to significantly influence amortising behaviour. The loan-to-value
ratio of 100%, to be reached in 2018, is still high. The rental market is
restrained by regulation and the presence of a very large social housing sector
that also has to cope with long waiting lists. The recent introduction of more income-based
rent differentiation in the social housing sector is a step in the right
direction, but its impact is limited. Social housing corporations are still
allowed to build dwellings with a monthly rent above the social rent ceiling. Even
though the 2013 recommendations called for a focus on support for households
most in need, this redirection has not taken place. Therefore, while the
proposed measures are steps in the right direction, the overall pace of reforms
is slow in addressing underlying problems and thus needs to be stepped up,
while continuing to ensure that social housing is available to disadvantaged
citizens unable to obtain housing at market conditions, including in high
demand locations. The 2013 recommendations suggested that the stepping-up of
the housing market measures should be subject to overall  economic developments.
As the economy and the housing market are expected to continue recovering, consideration
should be given to speeding up the pace of reforms.
(11)
The long-term sustainability of the pension
system has been improved through the gradual increase in the statutory
retirement age from 65 years in 2012 to 67 in 2023. The
Netherlands has initiated comprehensive reforms in the public- and private-funded
pillars of the pension system and in the long-term care system. This is
complemented by reforms encouraging older workers to work longer and increase
labour market mobility. Long-term care reforms shifted responsibilities to
municipalities, with a reduction in overall expenditure and a focus on
efficiency gains. Parts of these substantial reforms still have to be adopted. Remaining
challenges include an appropriate intra- and inter-generational distribution of
costs and risks, and the quality and accessibility of long-term care needs to
be monitored. Implementation of the plans to reform long-term care would help
curb the fast-rising costs of ageing and thus support the sustainability of
public finances. In this regard, the quality and accessibility of long-term
care should be maintained at an adequate level.
(12)
The labour market reforms proposed by the
government aim to increase labour market participation and mobility. The
Participation Act aims at boosting labour market participation. However, the
reforms are not yet enshrined in law. In addition, further measures are needed to
reduce fiscal disincentives to work and to improve the employability of people
at the margin of the labour market, including women, people with a migrant
background, people with a disability and the elderly. The Netherlands has
announced reforms to the unemployment benefit scheme and its relatively strict
employment protection legislation, including a tax incentive to increase
participation. However, while these measures point in the right direction, they
cannot be fully assessed until actually implemented. Accelerating the removal
of remaining disincentives for second earners to increase the number of hours worked
has the potential of further alleviating future labour supply shortages.
Finally, making better use of existing flexibility in the institutional
framework for more differentiated wage increases can support overall household
income and thus domestic demand without hurting competitiveness.
(13)
In the context of the European Semester, the
Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of the Netherlands' economic
policy. It has assessed the stability programme and the national reform
programme. It has taken into account not only their relevance for sustainable
fiscal and socio-economic policy in the Netherlands but also their compliance
with EU rules and guidance, given the need to reinforce the overall economic
governance of the European Union by providing EU-level input into future
national decisions. Its recommendations under the European
Semester are reflected in recommendations (1) to (4) below.
(14)
In the light of this assessment, the Council has
examined the Netherlands' stability programme, and its opinion[10] is reflected in
particular in recommendation (1) below.
(15)
In the light of the Commission's in-depth review
and this assessment, the Council has examined the national reform programme and
the stability programme. Its recommendations under Article 6 of Regulation (EU)
No 1176/2011 are reflected in recommendations (2)and (4) below.
(16)
In the context of the European Semester the
Commission has also carried out an analysis of the economic policy of the euro
area as a whole. On the basis of this analysis, the Council has issued specific
recommendations for the Member States whose currency is the euro. The
Netherlands should also ensure the full and timely implementation of these
recommendations.
HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the
Netherlands take action within the period 2014-2015 to:
1.
Following the correction of the excessive
deficit, reinforce the budgetary measures for 2014 in the light of the emerging
gap of 0.5% of GDP based on the Commission 2014
spring forecast, pointing to a risk of significant deviation relative to
the Stability and Growth Pact requirements. In 2015, significantly strengthen
the budgetary strategy to ensure reaching the medium-term objective and
maintain it thereafter, and ensure that the debt rule is met in order to keep
the general government debt ratio on a sustained downward path. Protect
expenditure in areas directly relevant for growth such as education, innovation
and research.
2.
Step up efforts to reform the housing market by
accelerating the reduction in mortgage interest tax deductibility, by providing
for a more market-oriented pricing mechanism in the rental market, and by further
relating rents to household income in the social housing sector. Monitor the
effects of the social housing reforms in terms of accessibility and
affordability for low-income households. Continue efforts to refocus social
housing policies to support households most in need.
3.
Implement reforms of the second pillar of the pension
system, ensuring an appropriate intra- and inter-generational distribution of
costs and risks. Underpin the gradual increase of the statutory retirement age
with measures to improve the employability of older workers. Implement the
envisaged reform in the area of long-term care with a view to ensure
sustainability, while ensuring fair access and the quality of services and
monitor its effects.
4.
Take further measures to enhance labour market participation
particularly among people at the margin of the labour market and to reduce tax
disincentives on labour. Implement reforms of employment protection legislation
and the unemployment benefit system, and further address labour market
rigidities. In consultation with the social partners and in accordance with
national practice, allow for more differentiated wage increases by making full
use of the existing institutional framework.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.
[2]               OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25.
[3]               COM(2014) 420 final.
[4]               P7_TA(2014)0128 and P7_TA(2014)0129.
[5]               OJ L 140, 27.5.2013, p.11.
[6]               C(2013) 8008 final
[7]               COM(2013) 800 final.
[8]               COM(2013) 790 final.
[9]               SWD(2014) 87 final.
[10]             Under Article 5(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97.


title: Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee

text:
               26.4.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 120/1

         COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
   of 22 April 2013
   on establishing a Youth Guarantee
   2013/C 120/01
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Investing now in the human capital of young Europeans will deliver long-term benefits and contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The Union will be able to reap the full benefits of an active, innovative and skilled workforce while avoiding the very high costs of having young people neither in employment, education or training (‘NEETs’), currently put at 1,2 % of GDP.

               (2)

               Young people have been hit particularly hard during the crisis. They are vulnerable because of the transitionary life periods they are going through, their lack of professional experience, their sometimes inadequate education or training, their often limited social protection coverage, restricted access to financial resources, and precarious work conditions. Young women are more likely to be affected by low pay and precarious employment, while young parents, primarily young mothers, lack adequate work-life balance measures. Furthermore, some young people are at a particular disadvantage or at risk of discrimination. Appropriate supportive measures are therefore required, whilst recognising young people's individual responsibility in finding a route into economic activity.

               (3)

               There are 7,5 million NEETs across the Union, representing 12,9 % of young Europeans (aged between 15-24). Many have no more than a lower secondary education and are early leavers from education and training. Furthermore, many are migrants or come from a disadvantaged background. The term ‘NEETs’ covers various subgroups of young people with diverse needs.

               (4)

               30,1 % of unemployed people under the age of 25 years in the Union have been unemployed for more than 12 months. Furthermore, an increasing number of young people do not actively seek employment, which may leave them without structural support in terms of getting back into the labour market. Research shows that youth unemployment can result in permanent scars, such as an increased risk of future unemployment, reduced levels of future earnings, loss of human capital, intergenerational transmission of poverty or less motivation to found a family, contributing to negative demographic trends.

               (5)

               The term ‘Youth Guarantee’ refers to a situation in which young people receive a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. An offer of continued education could also encompass quality training programmes leading to a recognised vocational qualification.

               (6)

               A Youth Guarantee would contribute to three of the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy targets, namely that 75 % of the age range 20-64 should be employed, that early school-leaving rates should be below 10 %, and that at least 20 million people should be lifted out of poverty and social exclusion.

               (7)

               The guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, adopted by the Council in its Decision 2010/707/EU (1) of 21 October 2010, in particular guidelines 7 and 8, call on Member States to promote the integration of young people in the labour market and to help them, and in particular NEETs, in cooperation with the social partners, to find initial employment, work experience, or further education and training opportunities, including apprenticeships, and to intervene rapidly when young people become unemployed.

               (8)

               As early as 2005, when it adopted guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States by Decision 2005/600/EC (2) of 12 July 2005, the Council agreed that ‘every unemployed person (be) offered a new start before reaching six months of unemployment in the case of young people’. By Decision 2008/618/EC of 15 July 2008 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (3), the Council reduced the time period to ‘no more than four months’ for young school-leavers.

               (9)

               In its resolution of 6 July 2010 on promoting youth access to the labour market, strengthening trainee, internship and apprenticeship status (4), the European Parliament called on the Commission and the Council to come forward with a European Youth Guarantee securing the right of every young person in the Union to be offered a job, an apprenticeship, additional training or combined work and training after a maximum of four months' unemployment.

               (10)

               In its Communication ‘Youth on the Move’ of 15 September 2010, the Commission encouraged Member States to introduce Youth Guarantees, implementation of which has so far been very limited. This Recommendation should reinforce and reiterate the need for Member States to pursue that goal, whilst also helping with the design, implementation and assessment of such Youth Guarantee schemes.

               (11)

               In its conclusions of 17 June 2011 on promoting youth employment to achieve the ‘Europe 2020’ objectives, the Council invited Member States to intervene rapidly by offering further education, (re)training or activation measures for NEETs, including early school-leavers. This would serve the aim of getting those people back into education, training or the labour market within the shortest time possible and reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion. The Council recognised that labour market segmentation may have unfavourable effects on young people, and invited Member States to tackle such segmentation.

               (12)

               Council Recommendation of 28 June 2011 on policies to reduce early school leaving (5) focused on the development of evidence-based, comprehensive and cross-sectoral policies that include measures to re-engage people who have dropped out of education and to strengthen the link between education and training systems and the employment sector. In preparing the 2012 budget, the European Parliament backed that approach and asked the Commission to implement a preparatory action to support the setting-up of Youth Guarantees in Member States.

               (13)

               In the Employment Package, proposed in its 18 April 2012 Communication ‘Towards a job-rich recovery’, the Commission called for the active mobilisation of Member States, social partners and other stakeholders to respond to the current employment challenges in the Union, and in particular to youth unemployment. The Commission emphasised the major job-creation potential of the green economy, health and social care, and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors, and to that end issued three accompanying action plans for follow-up. Subsequently, in its Communication of 10 October 2012 on ‘A Stronger European Industry for Growth and Economic Recovery’, the Commission also highlighted six promising priority areas for industrial innovation that contribute to the transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. In the Employment Package the Commission also underlined that fostering entrepreneurial mind-sets, making start-up support services and microfinance more available, and establishing schemes for converting unemployment benefits into start-up grants would play an important role, also for young people. Furthermore, the Employment Package proposed the use of wage subsidies to boost net new hiring and the targeted reduction of the tax wedge (mainly employers' social security contribution) to help boost employment as well as balanced reforms in employment protection legislation that could enable young people to have access to quality employment.

               (14)

               In its resolution of 24 May 2012 on the Youth Opportunities Initiative, the European Parliament urged Member States to take swift and concrete measures at national level to ensure that young people are in either a decent job, education or (re)training within four months of leaving school. The European Parliament stressed that the Youth Guarantee scheme needs to effectively improve the situation of NEETs and to gradually overcome the problem of youth unemployment in the Union.

               (15)

               In its conclusions of 29 June 2012, the European Council urged Member States to step up efforts to increase youth employment, with ‘the objective that within a few months of leaving school, young people receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship or a traineeship’. It further concluded that those measures can be supported by the European Social Fund and that Member States should use the possibilities of financing temporary recruitment subsidies from the that Fund.

               (16)

               The Commission Communication of 20 November 2012 on ‘Rethinking Education: Investing in skills for better socio-economic outcomes’ provides the Union contribution to that work from the educational perspective. It elaborates on the key issues for reform and efficiency of education and training systems; to align delivered skills to the current and future needs of the labour market, to stimulate open and flexible ways of learning and to promote a collaborative effort amongst all stakeholders, including funding.

               (17)

               In its Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning (6), the Council recommended that Member States should have in place, no later than 2018, in accordance with national circumstances and specificities, and as they deem appropriate, arrangements for the validation of non-formal and informal learning.

               (18)

               In its Communication of 28 November 2012 on the ‘Annual Growth Survey 2013’, the Commission stressed that Member States should secure school-to-work transitions for young people and develop and implement Youth Guarantee schemes whereby every young person under the age of 25 years receives an offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of leaving formal education or becoming unemployed.

               (19)

               In its conclusions on the multiannual financial framework of 8 February 2013, the European Council decided to create a Youth Employment Initiative amounting to EUR 6 billion for the period 2014-20 to support the measures set out in the Youth Employment Package proposed by the Commission on 5 December 2012 and, in particular, to support the Youth Guarantee.

               (20)

               The Youth Guarantee should be implemented by a scheme consisting of supportive measures, and should be geared to national, regional and local circumstances. Those measures should be based on six axes: building up partnership-based approaches, early intervention and activation, supportive measures enabling labour market integration, use of Union funds, assessment and continuous improvement of the scheme, and its swift implementation. As such, they aim to prevent early school leaving, fostering employability and removing practical barriers to employment. They can be supported by the Union funds and should be continuously monitored and improved.

               (21)

               Effective coordination and partnerships across policy fields (employment, education, youth, social affairs, etc.) are crucial in terms of boosting quality employment opportunities, apprenticeships and traineeships.

               (22)

               Youth Guarantee schemes should take into account the diversity of the Member States and their different starting points, as regards the levels of youth unemployment, institutional set-up, and capacity of the various labour market players. They should also take into account different situations as regards public budgets and financial constraints in terms of allocation of resources. In the Annual Growth Survey 2013, the Commission considers that investments in education should be prioritised and strengthened where possible, while ensuring the efficiency of such expenditure. Particular attention should also be paid to maintaining or reinforcing the coverage and effectiveness of employment services and active labour market policies, such as training for the unemployed and Youth Guarantee schemes. The establishment of such schemes is of long-term significance, but there is also a need for a short-term response to counter the dramatic effects of the economic crisis on the labour market,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT MEMBER STATES:

               1.

               ensure that all young people under the age of 25 years receive a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.
               When designing such a Youth Guarantee scheme, Member States should consider overarching issues such as the fact that young people are not a homogeneous group facing similar social environments, as well as principles of mutual obligation and the need to address the risk of cycles of inactivity.
               The starting point for delivering the Youth Guarantee to a young person should be the registration with an employment service, and for those NEETs who are not registered with an employment service, Member States should define a corresponding starting point to deliver the Youth Guarantee within the same four-month time-frame.
               Youth Guarantee schemes should be based on the following guidelines, in accordance with national, regional and local circumstances and paying attention to the gender and diversity of the young people who are being targeted:

      Building up partnership-based approaches

               2.

               identify the relevant public authority in charge of establishing and managing the Youth Guarantee scheme and of coordinating partnerships across all levels and sectors. Where it is not possible, for constitutional reasons, for a Member State to identify only one public authority, the relevant public authorities shall be identified, keeping their number to a minimum and identifying a single point of contact to communicate with the Commission on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee;

               3.

               ensure that young people have full access to information about the services and support available by strengthening cooperation between employment services, career guidance providers, education and training institutions and youth support services, and by making full use of all relevant information channels;

               4.

               strengthen partnerships between employers and relevant labour market players (employment services, various levels of government, trade unions and youth services) in order to boost employment, apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities for young people;

               5.

               develop partnerships between public and private employment services, education and training institutions, career guidance services and with other specialised youth services (non-governmental organisations, youth centres and associations) that help smooth the transition from unemployment, inactivity or education into work;

               6.

               ensure the active involvement of social partners at all levels in designing and implementing policies targeted at young people and promote synergies amongst their initiatives to develop apprenticeship and traineeship schemes;

               7.

               ensure the consultation or involvement of young people and/or youth organisations in designing and further developing the Youth Guarantee scheme to tailor services to the needs of beneficiaries and to have them act as multipliers in awareness-raising activities;

      Early intervention and activation

               8.

               develop effective outreach strategies towards young people, including information and awareness campaigns, with a view to catchment and registration with employment services, focusing on young vulnerable people facing multiple barriers (such as social exclusion, poverty or discrimination) and NEETs, and taking into consideration their diverse backgrounds (due in particular to poverty, disability, low educational attainment or ethnic minority/migrant background);

               9.

               in order to support young people better and to address the potential lack of awareness of existing offers, consider establishing common ‘focal points’, i.e. an organisation that would ensure coordination between all institutions and organisations concerned, in particular with the public authority responsible for managing the Youth Guarantee scheme, so that information could be shared about young people leaving school, in particular about those at risk of not securing a job, or of not entering into continued education or training;

               10.

               enable employment services, together with other partners supporting young people, to provide personalised guidance and individual action planning, including tailor-made individual support schemes, based on the principle of mutual obligation at an early stage and continued follow-up with a view to preventing drop-out and ensure progression towards education and training or employment;

      Supportive measures for labour market integration

      Enhancing skills

               11.

               offer early school-leavers and low-skilled young people pathways to re-enter education and training or of second-chance education programmes which provide learning environments responding to their specific needs and enabling them to obtain the qualification they missed;

               12.

               ensure that measures undertaken in the context of a Youth Guarantee scheme aimed at boosting skills and competences help to address existing mismatches and service labour-demand needs;

               13.

               ensure that efforts to boost skills and competences include ICT/digital skills. Promote the status of professional knowledge and competences by ensuring that ICT curricula and certifications conform to standards and are internationally comparable;

               14.

               encourage schools, including vocational training centres, and employment services to promote and provide continued guidance on entrepreneurship and self-employment for young people, including through entrepreneurship courses;

               15.

               implement the Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning;

      Labour market-related measures

               16.

               where relevant, reduce non-wage labour costs in order to boost recruitment prospects amongst young people;

               17.

               use targeted and well-designed wage and recruitment subsidies to encourage employers to create new opportunities for young people, such as an apprenticeship, traineeship or job placement, particularly for those furthest from the labour market, in line with the applicable State aid rules;

               18.

               promote labour mobility by making young people aware of job offers, traineeships and apprenticeships and available support in different areas, regions and countries, for example through services and schemes which encourage people to move and work within the Union. Ensure that adequate support is available to help young people who find work in another area or Member State adapt to their new environment;

               19.

               make available more start-up support services, and increase awareness of the possible chances and perspectives connected with self-employment, including through closer cooperation between employment services, business support and (micro)finance providers;

               20.

               enhance mechanisms for reactivating young people who drop out from activation schemes and no longer access benefits;

      Use of Union funds

               21.

               make full and optimal use of the Cohesion Policy funding instruments, in the next period 2014-20 for supporting the establishment of Youth Guarantee schemes, where appropriate to national circumstances. To that end, ensure that the necessary priority is given and corresponding resources are allocated for supporting the conception and the implementation of the measures related to the establishment of Youth Guarantee schemes, including the possibilities for financing targeted recruitment subsidies from the European Social Fund. Furthermore, make maximum use of funding still available from the 2007-13 programming period;

               22.

               in the context of the preparation for the period 2014-20, pay the necessary attention in the Partnership Contract to the specific objectives related to the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes where appropriate to national circumstances and describe in the operational programmes the actions to be supported under the relevant investment priorities of the European Social Fund, in particular those concerning the sustainable integration of NEETs into the labour market and support for young entrepreneurs and social enterprises and their respective contribution to the specific objectives;

               23.

               where eligible, make full and optimal use of the Youth Employment Initiative in order to implement the Youth Guarantee;

      Assessment and continuous improvement of schemes

               24.

               monitor and evaluate all measures under Youth Guarantee schemes, so that more evidence-based policies and interventions can be developed on the basis of what works, where and why, thus ensuring efficient use of resources and positive returns on investment. Maintain an up-to-date overview of how much funding has been allocated for the set-up and implementation of the Youth Guarantee, in particular under Cohesion Policy operational programmes;

               25.

               promote mutual learning activities at national, regional and local level between all parties involved in combating youth unemployment, in order to improve the design and delivery of future Youth Guarantee schemes. Make, where relevant, full use of the results of projects supported in the course of the preparatory action on Youth Guarantee schemes;

               26.

               strengthen the capacities of all stakeholders, including the relevant employment services, involved in designing, implementing and evaluating Youth Guarantee schemes, in order to eliminate any internal and external obstacles related to policy and to the way those schemes are developed;

      Implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes

               27.

               implement Youth Guarantee schemes as soon as possible. With regard to the Member States experiencing the most severe budgetary difficulties and higher rates of NEETs or of youth unemployment, gradual implementation could also be considered;

               28.

               ensure that Youth Guarantee schemes are properly integrated into the future co-financed programmes of the Union, preferably as from the start of the 2014-20 multiannual financial framework. When implementing Youth Guarantee schemes, Member States may benefit from the Youth Employment Initiative,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMMISSION:

      Funding

               1.

               encourage Member States to make best use of the European Social Fund, in accordance with the relevant investment priorities of the European Social Fund for the 2014-20 programming period, and the Youth Employment Initiative, where applicable, to support the set-up and implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes as a policy instrument for combating and preventing youth unemployment and social exclusion;

               2.

               support programming work under the Union's Common Strategic Framework Funds (European Social Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund, European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund), including through peer learning, networking activities and technical assistance;

      Good practices

               3.

               make full use of the possibilities of the new programme on social change and innovation to gather examples of good practice on Youth Guarantee schemes at national, regional and local level;

               4.

               use the European Employment Strategy mutual learning programme to encourage Member States to share their experiences and exchange good practices;

      Monitoring

               5.

               continue to monitor and report regularly on developments concerning the design, implementation and results of Youth Guarantee schemes as part of the annual programme of work of the European Network of Public Employment Services. Ensure that the Employment Committee is informed in that regard;

               6.

               monitor the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes pursuant to this Recommendation through the multi-lateral surveillance of the Employment Committee within the framework of the European Semester, and analyse the impact of the policies in place, and address, where appropriate, country-specific recommendations to Member States, on the basis of the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States;

      Awareness-raising

               7.

               support awareness-raising activities on the setting-up of the Youth Guarantee across the Member States, using the European Youth Portal and liaising in particular with its information campaigns.

      Done at Luxembourg, 22 April 2013.

            For the Council

            The President

         S. COVENEY

      (1)  OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46.

      (2)  OJ L 205, 6.8.2005, p. 21.

      (3)  OJ L 198, 26.7.2008, p. 47.

      (4)  OJ C 351 E, 2.12.2011, p. 29.

      (5)  OJ C 191, 1.7.2011, p. 1.

      (6)  OJ C 398, 22.12.2012, p. 1.


title: Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training (Text with EEA relevance)

text:
               8.7.2009

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 155/1

      RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

   of 18 June 2009
   on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   2009/C 155/01
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 149(4) and Article 150(4) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
   Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
   Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
   Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3),
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The transition to a knowledge-based economy (Lisbon European Council 2000) requires modernisation and continuous improvement of vocational education and training (VET) systems in response to rapid change in the economy and society, so that they can help increase employability and social inclusion and improve access to lifelong learning for all, including disadvantaged people.

               (2)

               The Barcelona European Council in 2002 set the target of making Europe's education and training systems a world quality reference by 2010.

               (3)

               The Lisbon Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs 2005-2008 call upon Member States to develop affordable, accessible lifelong learning systems responsive to the changing needs of the knowledge-based economy and society. Adaptation and capacity-building of education and training systems is necessary to improve their labour market relevance. The objectives set in education and training policy should therefore increasingly complement those of economic and labour market policy in order to combine social cohesion and competitiveness.

               (4)

               Following the Council Resolution of 19 December 2002 on the promotion of enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training (4) (the Copenhagen process), and as an outcome of subsequent cooperative work between the Commission, the Member States, social partners, the EEA-EFTA and the candidate countries on the Quality Assurance priority, a Common Quality Assurance Framework (CQAF) has been developed, taking account of existing experience and ‘good practice’ in the different participating countries.

               (5)

               According to the 2004 joint interim report of the Council and the Commission to the European Council on the Education and Training 2010 Work Programme (5), the CQAF for the VET (as part of the follow-up to the Copenhagen Declaration) and the development of ‘an agreed set of standards, procedures and guidelines on quality assurance’ (6) (in conjunction with the Bologna process and as part of the work programme on the objectives of education and training systems) should be top priorities for Europe.

               (6)

               The Education Council in May 2004 (7) endorsed the CQAF approach and invited Member States and the Commission, within their respective competencies, to promote it on a voluntary basis, together with relevant stakeholders.

               (7)

               The European Network for Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (8) provided a European platform that made possible appropriate follow-up to the Council Conclusions of 2004 and the Helsinki Communiqué, and facilitated sustainable cooperation between countries.

               (8)

               In 2006, the Helsinki Communiqué underlined the need to further develop and implement common European tools specifically aimed at VET, by drawing on the principles underlying a CQAF, as referred to in the May 2004 Council Conclusions on quality assurance in VET, in order to promote a culture of quality improvement and wider participation in the European Network for Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training.

               (9)

               This recommendation establishes a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework (the Framework) as a reference instrument to help Member States to promote and monitor continuous improvement of their VET systems based on common European references, which builds on and further develops the CQAF. The framework should contribute to quality improvement in VET and to increased transparency of, and consistency in, VET policy developments between Member States, thereby promoting mutual trust, mobility of workers and learners, and lifelong learning.

               (10)

               The framework should comprise a quality assurance and improvement cycle of planning, implementation, evaluation/assessment and review/revision of VET, supported by common quality criteria, indicative descriptors and indicators. The monitoring processes, including a combination of internal and external evaluation mechanisms, have to be defined by Member States as appropriate in order to identify the strength of systems, processes and procedures and areas for improvement. The framework should include the use of measuring tools to provide evidence of effectiveness.

               (11)

               The framework should be applied at the VET-system, VET-provider and qualification-awarding levels. It provides a systemic approach to quality, covering and interrelating the relevant levels and actors. The framework should give strong emphasis to monitoring and improving quality by combining internal and external evaluation, review and processes for improvement, supported by measurement and qualitative analysis. The framework should be a basis for further development through cooperation at European, national, regional and local levels.

               (12)

               In providing for concrete means to support an evaluation and quality-improvement culture at all levels, this recommendation contributes to the use of evidence-based policy and practice, as a basis for more efficient and equitable policies, in accordance with the 2006 Conclusions of the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States on efficiency and equity in European education and training systems (9).

               (13)

               This recommendation provides for a framework for the identification, support and exchange of best practices not only at national but also at local and regional levels in all relevant networks, including the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework network.

               (14)

               This recommendation takes into account the ‘Common Principles for Quality Assurance in Education and Training’ that are included in Annex III to the recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (10) (EQF). The Framework should therefore support the implementation of the EQF, in particular the quality of the certification of learning outcomes. It should also support the implementation of other European instruments, such as the European Credit System for VET, and the Common European Principles for the identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning.

               (15)

               Given its non-binding nature, this recommendation conforms to the principle of subsidiarity referred to in Article 5 of the Treaty insofar as its objective is to support and supplement Member States′ action by facilitating further cooperation between them to increase transparency of VET and to promote mobility and lifelong learning. It should be implemented in accordance with national legislation and practice. This recommendation conforms to the principle of proportionality referred to in that article because it does not replace or define national quality assurance systems. The Framework does not prescribe a particular quality assurance system or approach, but provides common principles, quality criteria, indicative descriptors and indicators that may help in assessing and improving existing systems and provision of VET.

               (16)

               The reference indicators proposed in Annex II are intended to support the evaluation and quality improvement of VET systems and/or providers in accordance with national legislation and practice, and to serve as a ‘toolbox’ from which the various users may choose the indicators they consider most relevant to the requirements of their particular quality assurance system. In terms of their nature and purpose, they should be distinguished from the indicators and benchmarks referred to in the Council conclusions of 25 May 2007 on a coherent framework of indicators and benchmarks for monitoring progress towards the Lisbon objectives in education and training (11).

               (17)

               The framework, if used and further developed by the Member States, could help them to further improve and develop their VET systems, support lifelong learning strategies, further European labour market integration and the implementation of the EQF and promote a culture of quality improvement at all levels, while respecting the rich diversity of national education systems.

               (18)

               This recommendation should contribute to modernising education and training systems, improving the effectiveness of training by seeking to ensure that people do not leave without qualifications, improving the interrelationship of education, training and employment, building bridges between formal, non-formal and informal learning and expanding the awarding of qualifications on the basis of experience acquired,

         HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT MEMBER STATES:

               1.

               use and further develop the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework (the Framework), quality criteria, indicative descriptors and reference indicators as set out and further described in Annexes I and II, to further improve and develop their VET systems, support lifelong learning strategies and the implementation of the EQF and of the European Quality Charter for Mobility, and promote a culture of quality improvement and innovation at all levels. Extra emphasis should be placed on the transition from VET to higher education;

               2.

               each devise, not later than 18 June 2011, an approach aimed at improving quality assurance systems at national level, where appropriate, and making best use of the framework, involving the social partners, regional and local authorities, and all other relevant stakeholders in accordance with national legislation and practice;

               3.

               participate actively in the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework network (the framework network) as a basis for further development of common principles, reference criteria and indicators, guidelines and tools for quality improvement in VET at national, regional and local levels, as appropriate;

               4.

               establish, where this does not already exist, a Quality Assurance National Reference Point for VET that is linked to the particular structures and requirements of each Member State and that, in accordance with national practice, brings together existing relevant bodies and involves the social partners and all stakeholders concerned at national and regional levels, in order to ensure the follow-up of initiatives. The reference points should:

                           —

                           keep a wide range of stakeholders informed about the activities of the framework network,

                           —

                           provide active support for the implementation of the work programme of the framework network,

                           —

                           take concrete initiatives to promote further development of the framework in the national context,

                           —

                           support self-evaluation as a complementary and effective means of quality assurance which allows the measurement of success and the identification of areas for improvement in respect of the implementation of the work programme of the framework network,

                           —

                           ensure that information is disseminated to stakeholders effectively;

               5.

               undertake a review of the implementation process every four years — such review to be incorporated into every second national progress report drawn up within the context of the future strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training — on the basis of reference criteria to be defined under the framework network in cooperation with the Commission and the Member States.

         ENDORSE THE COMMISSION'S INTENTION TO:

               1.

               support Member States in carrying out the above tasks, in particular by facilitating cooperation and mutual learning, testing and developing guidance material, and providing information on quality developments in VET across Member States;

               2.

               promote and participate together with the Member States in the framework network, contributing to policy development in this area through concrete proposals and initiatives, as appropriate;

               3.

               ensure follow-up to the implementation of this recommendation by presenting a report every four years to the European Parliament and the Council on the experience gained and implications for the future, including, if necessary, a review of this recommendation conducted in cooperation with the Member States and involving the various stakeholders;

               4.

               undertake, on the basis of that report and in cooperation with the Member States, an evaluation of the implementation of this recommendation and, if necessary, its revision.

      Done at Brussels, 18 June 2009.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         H.-G. PÖTTERING

            For the Council

            The President

         Štefan FÜLE

      (1)  OJ C 100, 30.4.2009, p. 136.

      (2)  OJ C 325, 19.12.2008, p. 48.

      (3)  Opinion of the European Parliament of 18 December 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 11 May 2009.

      (4)  OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2.

      (5)  OJ C 104, 30.4.2004, p. 1.

      (6)  ‘Realising the European Higher Education Area’: Communiqué from the Conference of Ministers responsible for higher education, Berlin, 19 September 2003.

      (7)  Council Conclusions on Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training, 28 May 2004.

      (8)  The European Network for Quality Assurance in VET was established in October 2005 by the Commission following the favourable opinion of the Advisory Committee for Vocational Training. Its members have been designated by Member States, candidate countries, EFTA-EEA countries and the European Social Partners′ organisations, in accordance with an explicit procedure.

      (9)  OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 3.

      (10)  OJ C 111, 6.5.2008, p. 1.

      (11)  OJ C 311, 21.12.2007, p. 13.

      INTRODUCTION TO THE ANNEXES
      This recommendation establishes a European quality assurance reference framework (‘the framework’) which comprises a quality assurance and improvement cycle (planning, implementation, evaluation/assessment and review/revision) based on a selection of quality criteria, descriptors and indicators applicable to quality management at both VET-system and VET-provider levels. The aim is not to introduce new standards, but to support Member States’ efforts, whilst preserving the diversity of their approaches.
      The Framework should be regarded rather as a ‘toolbox’, from which the various users may choose those descriptors and indicators that they consider most relevant to the requirements of their particular quality assurance system.
      The proposed descriptors (Annex I) and indicators (Annex II) are provided as guidance only and may be selected and applied by users of the Framework in accordance with all or part of their requirements and existing settings.
      They may be applied to initial vocational training (IVT) and/or continuous vocational training (CVT), depending on the relevant individual characteristics of each Member State's VET system and the type of VET providers.
      They are to be used on a purely voluntary basis, taking account of their potential added value and in accordance with national legislation and practice. They should be considered neither as benchmarks, nor as a means of reporting on, or drawing comparisons between, the quality and efficiency of different national systems. The responsibility for monitoring the quality of these systems remains entirely with the Member States.

         ANNEX I

            THE EUROPEAN QUALITY ASSURANCE REFERENCE FRAMEWORK: QUALITY CRITERIA AND INDICATIVE DESCRIPTORS
             (1)

         This annex proposes common quality criteria and indicative descriptors to support Member States, as they deem appropriate, when implementing the Framework (2).

                     Quality Criteria

                     Indicative descriptors at VET-system level

                     Indicative descriptors at VET-provider level

                     Planning reflects a strategic vision shared by the relevant stakeholders and includes explicit goals/objectives, actions and indicators

                     Goals/objectives of VET are described for the medium and long terms, and linked to European goals
                     The relevant stakeholders participate in setting VET goals and objectives at the different levels
                     Targets are established and monitored through specific indicators (success criteria)
                     Mechanisms and procedures have been established to identify training needs
                     An information policy has been devised to ensure optimum disclosure of quality results/outcomes subject to national/regional data protection requirements
                     Standards and guidelines for recognition, validation and certification of competences of individuals have been defined

                     European, national and regional VET policy goals/objectives are reflected in the local targets set by the VET providers
                     Explicit goals/objectives and targets are set and monitored
                     Ongoing consultation with relevant stakeholders takes place to identify specific local/individual needs
                     Responsibilities in quality management and development have been explicitly allocated
                     There is an early involvement of staff in planning, including with regard to quality development
                     Providers plan cooperative initiatives with other VET providers
                     The relevant stakeholders participate in the process of analysing local needs
                     VET providers have an explicit and transparent quality assurance system in place

                     Implementation plans are devised in consultation with stakeholders and include explicit principles

                     Implementation plans are established in cooperation with social partners, VET providers and other relevant stakeholders at the different levels
                     Implementation plans include consideration of the resources required, the capacity of the users and the tools and guidelines needed for support
                     Guidelines and standards have been devised for implementation at different levels
                     Implementation plans include specific support towards the training of teachers and trainers
                     VET providers’ responsibilities in the implementation process are explicitly described and made transparent
                     A national and/or regional quality assurance framework has been devised and includes guidelines and quality standards at VET-provider level to promote continuous improvement and self-regulation

                     Resources are appropriately internally aligned/assigned with a view to achieving the targets set in the implementation plans
                     Relevant and inclusive partnerships are explicitly supported to implement the actions planned
                     The strategic plan for staff competence development specifies the need for training for teachers and trainers
                     Staff undertake regular training and develop cooperation with relevant external stakeholders to support capacity building and quality improvement, and to enhance performance

                     Evaluation of outcomes and processes is regularly carried out and supported by measurement

                     A methodology for evaluation has been devised, covering internal and external evaluation
                     Stakeholder involvement in the monitoring and evaluation process is agreed and clearly described
                     The national/regional standards and processes for improving and assuring quality are relevant and proportionate to the needs of the sector
                     Systems are subject to self-evaluation, internal and external review, as appropriate
                     Early warning systems are implemented
                     Performance indicators are applied
                     Relevant, regular and coherent data collection takes place, in order to measure success and identify areas for improvement. Appropriate data collection methodologies have been devised, e.g. questionnaires and indicators/metrics

                     Self-assessment/self-evaluation is periodically carried out under national and regional regulations/frameworks or at the initiative of VET providers
                     Evaluation and review covers processes and results/outcomes of education including the assessment of learner satisfaction as well as staff performance and satisfaction
                     Evaluation and review includes adequate and effective mechanisms to involve internal and external stakeholders
                     Early warning systems are implemented

                     Review

                     Procedures, mechanisms and instruments for undertaking reviews are defined at all levels
                     Processes are regularly reviewed and action plans for change devised. Systems are adjusted accordingly
                     Information on the outcomes of evaluation is made publicly available

                     Learners’ feedback is gathered on their individual learning experience and on the learning and teaching environment. Together with teachers’ feedback this is used to inform further actions
                     Information on the outcomes of the review is widely and publicly available
                     Procedures on feedback and review are part of a strategic learning process in the organisation
                     Results/outcomes of the evaluation process are discussed with relevant stakeholders and appropriate action plans are put in place

            (1)  For the purposes of this recommendation, definitions which apply are based on Cedefop's Glossary on Quality in Training (working paper, November 2003).

            (2)  A further set of selected quality indicators is detailed in Annex II.

         ANNEX II

            A REFERENCE SET OF SELECTED QUALITY INDICATORS FOR ASSESSING QUALITY IN VET

         This Annex proposes a comprehensive set of selected quality indicators which can be used to support the evaluation and quality improvement of VET systems and/or VET providers. The set of indicators will be further developed through European cooperation on a bilateral and/or multilateral basis, building on European data and national registers.
         In terms of their nature and purpose, they should be distinguished from the indicators and benchmarks referred to in the Council conclusions of 25 May 2007 on a coherent framework of indicators and benchmarks for monitoring progress towards the Lisbon objectives in education and training.
         Furthermore, the table of indicators does not include aggregated indicators at national level in cases where these do not exist or are difficult to obtain. The aggregation of such indicators at national level can be carried out at a later stage on the basis of a joint agreement between the Member States, the Commission and the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework network.

                     Indicator

                     Type of Indicator

                     Purpose of the Policy

                     Overarching Indicators for Quality Assurance

                     No 1
                     Relevance of quality assurance systems for VET providers:

                                 (a)

                                 share of VET providers applying internal quality assurance systems defined by law/at own initiative

                                 (b)

                                 share of accredited VET providers

                     Context/Input indicator

                     Promote a quality improvement culture at VET-provider level
                     Increase the transparency of quality of training
                     Improve mutual trust on training provision

                     No 2
                     Investment in training of teachers and trainers:

                                 (a)

                                 share of teachers and trainers participating in further training

                                 (b)

                                 amount of funds invested

                     Input/Process indicator

                     Promote ownership of teachers and trainers in the process of quality development in VET
                     Improve the responsiveness of VET to changing demands of labour market
                     Increase individual learning capacity building
                     Improve learners’ achievement

                     Indicators supporting quality objectives for VET policies

                     No 3
                     Participation rate in VET programmes:
                     Number of participants in VET programmes (1), according to the type of programme and the individual criteria (2)

                     Input/Process/Output indicator

                     Obtain basic information at VET-system and VET-provider levels on the attractiveness of VET
                     Target support to increase access to VET, including for disadvantaged groups

                     No 4
                     Completion rate in VET programmes:
                     Number of persons having successfully completed/abandoned VET programmes, according to the type of programme and the individual criteria

                     Process/Output/Outcome indicator

                     Obtain basic information on educational achievements and the quality of training processes
                     Calculate drop-out rates compared to participation rate
                     Support successful completion as one of the main objectives for quality in VET
                     Support adapted training provision, including for disadvantaged groups

                     No 5
                     Placement rate in VET programmes:

                                 (a)

                                 destination of VET learners at a designated point in time after completion of training, according to the type of programme and the individual criteria (3)

                                 (b)

                                 share of employed learners at a designated point in time after completion of training, according to the type of programme and the individual criteria

                     Outcome indicator

                     Support employability
                     Improve responsiveness of VET to the changing demands in the labour market
                     Support adapted training provision, including for disadvantaged groups

                     No 6
                     Utilisation of acquired skills at the workplace:

                                 (a)

                                 information on occupation obtained by individuals after completion of training, according to type of training and individual criteria

                                 (b)

                                 satisfaction rate of individuals and employers with acquired skills/competences

                     Outcome indicator
                     (mix of qualitative and quantitative data)

                     Increase employability
                     Improve responsiveness of VET to changing demands in the labour market
                     Support adapted training provision, including for disadvantaged groups

                     Context information

                     No 7
                     Unemployment rate (4) according to individual criteria

                     Context indicator

                     Background information for policy decision-making at VET-system level

                     No 8
                     Prevalence of vulnerable groups:

                                 (a)

                                 percentage of participants in VET classified as disadvantaged groups (in a defined region or catchment area) according to age and gender

                                 (b)

                                 success rate of disadvantaged groups according to age and gender

                     Context indicator

                     Background information for policy decision-making at VET-system level
                     Support access to VET for disadvantaged groups
                     Support adapted training provision for disadvantaged groups

                     No 9
                     Mechanisms to identify training needs in the labour market:

                                 (a)

                                 information on mechanisms set up to identify changing demands at different levels

                                 (b)

                                 evidence of their effectiveness

                     Context/Input indicator
                     (qualitative information)

                     Improve responsiveness of VET to changing demands in the labour market
                     Support employability

                     No 10
                     Schemes used to promote better access to VET:

                                 (a)

                                 information on existing schemes at different levels

                                 (b)

                                 evidence of their effectiveness

                     Process indicator
                     (qualitative information)

                     Promote access to VET, including for disadvantaged groups
                     Support adapted training provision

            (1)  For IVT: a period of 6 weeks of training is needed before a learner is counted as a participant.
         For lifelong learning: percentage of population admitted to formal VET programmes.

            (2)  Besides basic information on gender and age, other social criteria might be applied, e.g. early school leavers, highest educational achievement, migrants, persons with disabilities, length of unemployment.

            (3)  For IVT: including information on the destination of learners who have dropped out.

            (4)  Definition according to ILO and OECD: individuals aged 15-74 without work, actively seeking employment and ready to start work.


title: Commission Recommendation (EU) 2015/1381 of 10 August 2015 on the monitoring of arsenic in food

text:
               12.8.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 213/9

         COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (EU) 2015/1381
   of 10 August 2015
   on the monitoring of arsenic in food
   THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment and is present in soil, ground water and plants. Arsenic occurs in a broad variety of arsenic compounds. Arsenic is found in water, soil and earth. Arsenic is absorbed by all plants and animals.

               (2)

               The main adverse effects reported to be associated with long term ingestion of inorganic arsenic in humans are skin lesions, cancer, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiovascular diseases, abnormal glucose metabolism, and diabetes.

               (3)

               The European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to prepare a scientific opinion on the risks to human health related to the presence of arsenic in foodstuffs (incl. drinking water).

               (4)

               The EFSA scientific opinion (1) recommended that speciation data for different food commodities to support dietary exposure assessment should be generated in order to refine the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

               1.

               That Member States perform during the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 monitoring on the presence of arsenic in food. The monitoring should include a wide variety of foodstuffs reflecting consumption habits including food such as cereal grains, cereal based products (including bran and germ), fruit and vegetable juices, drinking water (including bottled water), coffee, dry tea leaves, beer, fish and sea food, vegetables, algae products (including hijiki), milk, dairy products, food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and food supplements in order to enable an accurate estimation of exposure.

               2.

               That Member States follow the sampling procedures as laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 (2) in order to ensure that the samples are representative for the sampled lot.

               3.

               That Member States carry out the analysis of arsenic, preferably by determining the content of inorganic and total arsenic and, if possible, other relevant arsenic species in accordance with Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) by making use of a method of analysis that has been proven to generate reliable results.

               4.

               That Member States provide on a regular basis to EFSA the monitoring data expressed on whole weight basis with the information and in the electronic reporting format as set out by EFSA for compilation into one database.

      Done at Brussels, 10 August 2015.

            For the Commission

         Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM); Scientific Opinion on Arsenic in Food. EFSA Journal 2009; 7(10):1351.

      (2)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of the levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo(a)pyrene in foodstuffs (OJ L 88, 29.3.2007, p. 29).

      (3)  Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1).