Socrates - Action 6 Observation and  Innovation

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Following the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting on Employment (Jobs Summit), which took place in Luxembourg on 20-21 November 1997, the 15 Member States adopted a co-ordinated strategy of employment which is translated each year into the development of employment guidelines. Member States draw up national Action Plans for Employment which then form the basis of the joint report on employment. The Member States will integrate the guidelines into their national action plans and indicate to the Commission how they will be implemented: A report is then written concerning specifically the educational measures contained in the national Action Plans.

These Plans contain numerous educational measures which were the subject of a European report on education and employment allowing good practice to be demonstrated and resulting in the sharing of experiences, and where appropriate the transfer of practices between countries.

The Helsinki summit adopted the Employment Guidelines 2000, the Joint (Commission and Council) Employment Report 1999 and the Recommendations to Member States on the implementation of their employment policies. The Employment Guidelines cover improvement of employability, the development of entrepreneurship, encouraging the adaptability of businesses and their employees and strengthening equality.