Structures of the Education and Initial Training System in the European Union [antikvár]

Preface At a time when the importance of education and training to the future success of the European Union is becoming more and more apparent, the Commission is very pleased to present this updated and extended document describing the education and initial vocational training systems for young people in the 15 Member States of the European Union and in the two EFTA countries which have signed the EEA Agreement. Like the previous edition, this document is a joint product resulting from the long-standing cooperation between EURYDICE, the European education information network, and CEDEFOP, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. The increased mobility within the education and training systems which has led to, and been a result of, the European programmes in these fields makes reliable, accessible and readable information concerning these systems an even greater necessity than before. The increasing obsolescence of the traditional dividing lines between education and training makes a joint publication such as this one of particular relevance and importance. It has been prepared on the basis of information contributed by the National Units of EURYDICE and the members of CEDEFOP's documentary information network. It has been validated by the competent national authorities. Final editorial responsibility lies with the European Unit of EURYDICE. We hope that this publication, presenting the richness and diversity of the education systems in the European Union, will be of interest to policymakers and to education and training practitioners in general. Dr. T. O'Dwyer Director General European Commission DG XXII 'Education, Training and Youth' February 1995