Employers and unions stress the importance of training and lifelong learning

Citation

(2006), "Employers and unions stress the importance of training and lifelong learning", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 8/9. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448hab.014

Employers and unions stress the importance of training and lifelong learning

More investment is needed in training and lifelong learning, research and development to make the EU a genuine and inclusive knowledge-based economy with a highly skilled workforce, better able to sustain its competitiveness at a global level while developing its social model, say European trade unions. Maria Helena Andre, European Trades Union Congress deputy general-secretary, made this comment at a meeting with employer groups, the European Commission and representatives of the immediate past, present and immediate future EU presidencies, Finland, Germany and Portugal. The meeting concentrated on ways of improving the quality of working life, ensuring flexibility and security (“flexicurity”, in Euro-speak) in the labour market, and investing in innovation and advanced technology.

Ms Andre’s comments on the importance of training and lifelong learning were echoed by Anne-Sophie Parent, president of the Platform of European Social Non-Governmental Organizations, and Rauno Vanhanenm, of the European SME employer organization UEAPME. He commented: “Productivity, like the quality of work, has always been essential for small and medium-size companies. It is therefore critical to invest in innovation, technology, applied research, the knowledge economy and the creation of high-added-value jobs.”