Education and training
Communication of the Commission:
supporting growth and jobs – an agenda for the modernisation of Europe’s higher education systems
September 2011
On 20 September 2011, the Commission presented a Communication on the modernisation of Europe’s higher education systems. The Commission recognises the importance and the average high standard of European higher education but stresses that the potential of the higher education institutions is underexploited. Particular problems are the relatively low share of people in the workforce with a higher education qualification and the small number of world class higher education institutions in Europe.
The main factor of excellence in higher education is funding. Compared to the US and Japan investment in higher education in Europe is too low. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the Member States should give their institutions better access and provide more funding based on academic performance. In addition, the Commission will offer ways to channel more EU funds through three main mechanisms:
- a single programme for education, training and youth with simplified entry points and management;
- the new Horizon 2020 programme, which will cover all EU research and innovation funding and thus make it easier to access those funds;
- the use of Cohesion Policy instruments: the European Regional Development Fund could invest in buildings and equipment and the European Social Fund could be used to increase participation for students from under-represented backgrounds.
Although the Commission recognises that the responsibility for the higher education system rests with the Member States, it will establish a high-level group to analyse key topics for the modernisation of higher education in 2012. The Commission believes that the combined efforts of Member States, higher education institutions, stakeholders and the EU are required to truly modernise higher education.
Although the Commission recognises that the responsibility for the higher education system rests with the Member States, it will establish a high-level group to analyse key topics for the modernisation of higher education in 2012. The Commission believes that the combined efforts of Member States, higher education institutions, stakeholders and the EU are required to truly modernise higher education.
The European Commission launches its flagship initiative "An agenda for new skills and jobs"
November 2010
| The new flagship initiative on employment has been launched by the European Commission in the framework of the EU's overall strategy "EU 2020". This initiative aims at reaching the European employment target of 75% of the working age population by 2020, in particular trough actions upgrading education and training systems in order to equip people with the right skills. Thus, the flagship initiative contributes to achieve the EU's targets for early school-leaving rate and higher or vocational education rate. A skilled workforce is essential to develop a competitive and sustainable economy, especially in a context where technological changes and new trends of work organisation lead to rapidly-changing skill needs. Besides skill development, the flagship initiative is composed of three other main areas: flexicurity; job quality and working conditions; job creation. To tackle challenges faced by the EU labour market, the Agenda for new skills and jobs identifies 13 key actions with preparatory measures which are valid until 2014. |
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Read the Commission's communication
Life-long learning
The ageing population and the social expectations, which have resulted from higher levels of education of younger generations require a new way of approaching learning systems, ensuring that there are opportunities for all age groups - both women and men, skilled and unskilled - if significant increases in competencies and qualifications levels are to be achieved. Lifelong learning contributes to the development of an inclusive society and the promotion of equal opportunities.