The latest European plans to boost employability are to bear a Welsh signature: Mayors, councillors and regional presidents from across Europe today in Brussels adopted proposals put forward by Robert Bright, a Labour member of Newport City Council, South Wales.
Cllr Bright was presenting a report on European cooperation in vocational education and training at the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives. European lawmakers are obliged to consult the Committee on education matters, as in many countries local or regional authorities are in charge of these policies.
Speaking in Brussels today, Robert Bright underlined the importance of on-the-job training in the face of global competition, high numbers of low-skilled workers and an ageing population: “Vocational education and training has a huge role to play in speeding up the economic recovery in the UK and across Europe. We need to ensure that the current and future workforce have the right skills to carry out their jobs effectively or find new employment opportunities.”
Wales is at the forefront in Europe when it comes to support for training and education, Cllr. Bright added: “Certainly in Wales we are working hard, in a partnership between national and local government, to support people of all ages to get back into work, with training and careers support, as well as enabling employers to access additional training for those already in work.”
Earlier this year, the EU had outlined a ten-year plan on boosting education and training. Measures include enhancing the mutual recognition and quality of qualifications in the EU, thus facilitating the mobility of learners and workers. Encouraging learners to take part in vocational education and training in different countries is also a priority of EU actions.
Cllr Bright argues that incentivising cooperation between providers of education, training and businesses is crucial to achieve results. At the same time, the Newport councillor emphasises that the demands of flexibility from the workforce need to be balanced by the provision of appropriate levels of security. He considers that developing literacy, numeracy and other basic skills, as well as IT and language skills, are essential to engage vulnerable and at-risk groups.
Wales and the Committee of the Regions
The United Kingdom has 24 members in the 344-strong Committee of the Regions, two of which are nominated by Wales: One by the National Assembly of Wales (at present Christine Chapman AM), and one by the Welsh Local Government Association (at present Cllr Robert Bright). In addition, Wales also nominates two alternate members to the Committee: At present, these are Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, and Cllr Chris Holley from Swansea City and County Council.
In 2008, the UK government and the Committee of the Regions signed an agreement on the use of the Welsh language, and it was used in the CoR plenary session for the first time by Nerys Evans AM on 26 November 2008.
