This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland backs European role in education
05/12/2006
Scotland will be represented at a major European conference aimed at improving Vocational Education and Training (VET) across Europe today.
Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Allan Wilson has joined UK Secretary of State Alan Johnson in representing the UK at the EU Informal Ministerial Conference in Helsinki.
The conference will be attended by education ministers from 30 European countries, including all 25 EU member states.
Mr Wilson said:
"The aim of this conference is to agree EU priorities for Vocational Education and Training (VET) for the next two years.
"A lot of work has been undertaken since the last conference in Maastricht in 2004, but there is still some way to go before achieving our ambitious targets for 2010.
"Scotland already has a strong skills and labour base, but to move forward, we must continue to improve the attractiveness and quality of VET and we can do this by working with partners beyond our borders.
"At UK level we are already involved in the UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Board to deliver the skills that employers want and individuals need to have for the world of work.
"I will ensure that the needs of Scotland's people and economy are taken into account in Helsinki as we aim to provide European citizens with the skills and knowledge in today's labour market."
The Helsinki Communiqué outlines four broad priorities:
- Policy focused on improving the attractiveness and quality of VET
- Development and implementation of common tools for VET
- Strengthening mutual learning
- Taking all stakeholders on board
The overall aim is to strengthen VET provision at European and national levels, through voluntary and bottom-up cooperation to achieve a European labour market and a competitive economy.