Citation
(2003), "Commission approves 279 Leonardo projects", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 27 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2003.00327aab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Commission approves 279 Leonardo projects
Commission approves 279 Leonardo projects
A total of 279 projects was selected to receive money under the EU Leonardo vocational training programme in 2002. The figure compares with 255 in 2001 and 235 in 2000.
A total of E89.7 million was awarded to the selected projects, compared with E82.3 million in 2001 and E80.9 million in 2000.
The projects cover a wide range of vocational education and training topics, but some Europe-wide trends have emerged:
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higher standards of quality assessment in training and the better development of training for specific jobs;
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greater acceptance of the mutual recognition of qualifications, in certain professions;
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more projects dealing with integration into the labour market, with the aim of identifying and overcoming obstacles and thereby creating new employment opportunities; and
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an increasing role for electronic learning and the use of information and communication technologies.
Viviane Reding, European commissioner responsible for education and training, commented "Leonardo is a unique tool that enables young Europeans to take advantage of all training opportunities offered throughout Europe in various vocational fields. Looking at the trends emerging from the projects selected in 2002, I am convinced that issues such as the quality in vocational training and recognition of training are becoming more important in this policy area. It encourages me to go ahead with creating an integrated European space for vocational training by defining joint quality standards and improving the connections between vocational-training institutions in Europe".
New priorities for Leonardo for 2003 and 2004 are: valuing learning; new forms of learning and teaching and basic skills in vocational education and training; and guidance and counselling. With these new priorities, the Commission aims to focus on priority policy areas in vocational education and training and to encourage wide participation in the programme.