The social partners at European level affirm against a background of rapid change the development of competencies and the acquisition of qualifications as major challenges of lifelong learning.

Whilst lifelong learning includes all learning activities undertaken throughout life, the focus of the European social partners is to:

  • make a contribution to lifelong learning;

  • give an impetus so that the development of competencies and the acquisition of qualifications are perceived as a shared interest by both enterprises and employees;

  • affirm the joint responsibility of social partners at all levels with regard to development of competencies and to promote their cooperation;

  • acknowledge the broader dimension of the challenge, which calls for a close concertation with public authorities, as well as education and training institutions at all levels.

Competencies are defined in this framework of action as “knowledge, skills and know-how applied and mastered in a given work situation” and qualifications as “formal expression of vocational or professional abilities of the employee. They are recognised at the national or sectoral level.”

The social partners believe that the lifelong development of competencies depends on the implementation of the following four priorities:

  • identification and anticipation of competencies and qualifications needs;

  • recognition and validation of competencies and qualifications;

  • information, support and guidance;

  • resources

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