The own-initiative opinion aims to clarify how post-secondary vocational education and training (VET) can have an added value in terms of labour market, learning outcomes, opening new educational pathways and social mobility in the EU. Forecasts of future skills needs in the EU show an increasing demand for a labour force with medium and high level qualifications which puts pressure on upgrading current VET systems in Member States. The Committee calls upon the Commission to encourage Member States to achieve the long-term and short-term objectives set out in the Bruges Communiqué and to improve the quality and efficiency of VET so as to enhance its attractiveness and relevance. The social partners at all levels must continue to play an active role in the Copenhagen process and help attain the short-term deliverables.
Download — EESC opinion: Making post-secondary vocational education and training more attractive
In December 2010 the Committee adopted an opinion on the cultivation of GMO's in the EU, CESE 1623/2010 (NAT/480). The opinion was of a predominantly legal character. Nevertheless, it concerns an issue which is extremely complex in nature, and on which many different opinions exist between Member States. A long series of amendments were tabled on the draft opinion both in the Section and the Plenary. Furthermore, given the fact that the file is currently at the centre of discussion between EU institutions and that a total review of the EU legislative framework for GMO's is foreseen in 2012, the Committee may have to take a position again next year.
Therefore, the requesting body is of the opinion that the issue of GMO's merits a supplementary opinion to explore the state of affairs in biotechnology and shed some light on the more technical questions of its application.
Download — EESC Opinion: GMOs in the EU (additional opinion)
The EESC opinion focuses on several issues in relation with the Europe 2020 Strategy: the reinforcement of governance, the improvement of communication and of its concrete implementation by the Member States. Issued in a particularly difficult context, when the Union is experiencing the worst economic, social and political crisis in its history, the opinion stresses the need to move from emergency measures to long term growth reforms. It considers that the overarching Europe 2020 Strategy is more important than ever since it offers a comprehensive agenda for reforms aiming to secure sustainable growth and making the Union more resilient in future. The EESC also reiterates that organised civil society and social partners' participation in the carrying out of reforms is determinant for their success and can encourage national administrations and the EU in delivering concrete results.
Download — Concluding the first European semester of economic policy coordination
