New EU plans for employment and lifelong learning

On 27 October 2010, the European Commission released a Communication entitled "Towards a Single Market Act". Its overall objective is to propose 50 measures to improve our work, business and exchanges with one another. Three proposals are more specifically related to access to employment and lifelong learning (see pp.24-25 of the document):

Proposal No 33: In 2012 the Commission will propose a legislative initiative to reform the systems for the recognition of professional qualifications, on an evaluation of the acquis in 2011, in order to facilitate the mobility workers and adapt training to current labour market requirements. As this proposal, the possibility of a professional card will be evaluated.

Proposal No 34: The Commission will develop, in cooperation with the Member States, a ‘Youth on the Move card’ helping all young people to move to another Member State to study. It will expand its ‘Youth on the Move’ Internet site by providing information on distance learning and opportunities to study and train in Europe.

Proposal No 35: The Commission will implement the European qualifications framework in partnership with the Member States. It will propose a Council Recommendation to promote and validate training outside
the classroom (non-formal and informal learning). It will also propose the creation of a ‘European Skills Passport’ enabling individuals to record the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their lives. It will establish a bridge between the European Qualifications Framework and the nomenclature of occupations in Europe.