This publication examines the development of European co-operation in education and vocational training policy, focusing on five key time phases: the post-war period from 1948 to 68; the founding years of the European Community during 1969 to 1984; the years 1985 to 1992 which saw the development of major programmes such as Erasmus and the progress towards enshrining education policy in the Maastricht Treaty; the emergence of the knowledge-based society and lifelong learning during 1993 to 1999; and the period 2000 to 2005 where education and training has been placed at the centre of the EU's economic and social strategy for 2010.

Published in 1998, Education and training in the European Union is a policy area aiming to enable young people to experience the ‘reality of Europe’ through various forms of cooperation, including training periods in firms in other member states, university courses in the Community countries and exchanges. This book examines why the Community decided to take actions in the field of education and training, what the extent of this involvement is, and how the future may affect EU decisions on education and training. It argues that the logic of the EU involvement in education and training derives from both economic and political considerations; that the extent of this involvement has not so far been very significant but is growing; and that the pace of political integration will ultimately condition the Community’s competence in the field of education and training.

In the past seventy years, education and training have evolved from side issues of political cooperation to political priorities of the EU. For three decades within this period, they were promoted implicitly to enable the mobility of workers in the internal market. Later on, a European dimension of education and training has developed through mobility and cooperation programs and through the lifelong learning discourse. Today, a European policy space of education and training is unfolding, which the EU is coordinating by the means of soft governance arrangements.

This report covers almost two decades of European Community cooperation in education. Significant historical points are brought out, but the main focus is on what this cooperation means today, after so many years of activity and hard work. The report traces the efforts of the Member States of the European Community to gain a better understanding of the education systems in other Member nations. Initial and continuing training programs remain a major focus of Member efforts since economic growth and development depends on a knowledgeable work force. Reference is also made to Community actions in the field of youth policy and to Tempus, the program for higher education cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The report is divided into four sections: (1) "From the Initial Commitment to Today's Initiatives"; (2) "Developments and Areas of Action Since 1976"; (3) "Actors and Partners in Cooperation"; and (4) "Constructing the Future on the Foundation of Past Achievements and Wide-Ranging Consultations." The volume concludes with a list of 352 references, including the main legislative texts and documents which have formed the basis of the European Community's education, training, and youth actions and programs since 1976. (EH)

« Understanding todays' Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems requires a comprehension of the rise and development, i.e. of the foundations of topical VET. This book is one of the first publications providing a comparative view of this development in Europe. Apart from older roots, the evolution of VET systems are one trigger of the modernization of economy, society and education itself. The 28 contributions, including countries like Austria, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland of renowned authors and experts in this field are organized in three sections: Concepts which are discussing theoretical approaches towards this phenomenon. Cases which stress specific developments of VET in a certain country or region and Challenges which are contextualizing the historical perspective in a topical policy context. »--

Nothing else out there covering the same ground in such specific detail. Countries represented individually by chapter. Research like this in demand for masters courses: more setting up all the time. Has new countries in it that have become members of the EU since fist edition was published.