53 Amendments of Mara BIZZOTTO related to 2016/0304(COD)
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) IndividualMember State citizens, when looking for a job, or making decisions on what and where to learn, study or work need access to information on opportunities available, means of assessing their skills in the light of company requirements at local and national level, and means of presenting information about their skills and qualifications.
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) DThe specific economic, social and cultural circumstances of each Member State result in differences in language, definitions, document formats, as well as assessment and qualification validation methods, all pose considerable challenges for individuals, employers and competent authorities. These challenges arise especially where individuals move between countries, including third countries, but also when looking for a new job or engaging in learning. Clear information and shared understanding is necessary to address these challenge. These differences are not obstacles, but constitute the wealth of Europe, and for this reason, it is important for Member States to cooperate in seeking possible bilateral or multilateral agreements for the recognition of qualifications; a single Community framework of competences and qualifications could lead to a levelling down of knowledge and know- how in the various countries, especially in certain sectors, such as handicrafts, that are dependent on specific and non- relocatable skills.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Despite Decision No 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council 24, which established a framework to address these challenges. It aimethe Europass framework in a bid to achieve better transparency of qualifications and competences through a portfolio of documents known as ‘Europass’, which individuals can use on a voluntarthe European framework now consists of a myriad of instruments (EURES, PLOTEUS), whose objectives are more or less related but whose effectiveness and relevance have, in many bcasises, still to be demonstrated. Decision No 2241/2004/EC also established national bodies, known as National Europass Centres, to implement the Europass framework. _________________ 24OJ L 390, 31.12.2004, p. 6.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) To achieve its main objective, the Europass framework focused on tools for the documentation of skills and qualifications. TWhile these tools have achieved wide useare widely deployed, many remain uncertain how to use them. Activities by National Europass Centres offer support and promote the documentation of skills and qualifications25 . _________________ 25 Second evaluation of the Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on a single Community framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass), COM(2013) 899 final.
Amendment 64 #
(6) The Europass portfolio is however only one of a number of tools and instruments put in place at Union level, to improve transparency and understanding of skills and qualificationshe multiplicity of which is undermining coherence, visibility and effectiveness regarding the objectives to be attained, given that uniform skills classification would be neither beneficial nor desirable in terms of employment (given the risk of downward levelling).
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The EU Skills Panorama29 seeks to provides information on skills for different occupations and specific industries, including demand and supply at national level. _________________ 29 http://skillspanorama.cedefop.europa.eu/enIt must, however, be noted that apparently similar jobs require skills that vary from one Member State to another, given the specific nature of the sectors, which is attributable to the prevailing cultural, territorial, economic and social climate;
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) A European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations framework (ESCO) has been piloted by the Commission as a common language and operational tool for education/training and work30 . ESCO structures concepts that are relevant for the EU labour market and education and training iIn addition to the overambitious nature of such a project, ESCO fails to take into account at this stage the fragmentation of European labour markets, as well as structural and cultural differences relating to the education and training systems of the different Member States. Hence, the present structure, based on three interlinked pillars:, i) occupations, ii) knowledge, skills and competences and iii) qualifications. The ESCO pillars can be complemented by auxiliary vocabularies covering related domains, such as work context, fields of education and training or economic sectors. _________________ 30 The Europe 2020 Strategy announced that the Commission would work on such framework, Communication from the Commission on "Europe 2020 - A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth", COM(2010) 2020 final, does not at present make it possible to achieve the principal objective of matching skills with national employment market requirements.
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Regulation (EU) 2016/589 of the European Parliament and of the Council31 establishes European Employment Services (EURES), a network of employment services and a mechanism for an automated matching of people to jobs through the EURES common IT platform. To enable the exchange and the matching of job vacancies with candidates, this mechanism needs a common and multilingual list of skills, competencesBy focusing on mobility alone in the fight against unemployment, the European Union risks worsening social problems such as uprooting, the brain drain and soccupations. By developing ESCO the Commission is providing a multilingual classification system of occupations, skills ial dumping, which are greatly affecting many European countries. EURES would doubtless be more useful if it enabled young citizens of the Member States to be informed of opportunities closer to home, where they cand competences and qualifications that is suited to this purpose. _________________ 31ntribute to economic and social invigoration, which remains a challenge for rural or remote areas in particular. OJ L 107, 22.4.2016, p. 1.
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Labour market processes such as publication of jobs, job applications, skills assessments and recruitment are increasingly managed online through tools that use social media, big data and other technologies. Candidate selection is managed through tools and processes that seek information on skills and qualifications acquired in formal, informal and non-formal settings. It is necessary to recall that, while developing digital technologies can increase the accessibility of job offers and provide more information about them, they cannot replace the vital role of interpersonal contact, which enables undertakings through their recruitment staff, to gauge applicants' personal qualities and give applicants an idea of what might become their future environment.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Education and training is increasingly offered in new forms and settings by a variety of providers, particularly through use of digital technologies and platforms. Equally, skills, experiences and learning achievements are acknowledged in different forms for example digital open badges. They are also known and used for skills gained through non-formal learning such as youth work. However, it is necessary to keep in mind that interaction between instructors, teachers, educators and learners is of the essence regarding not only quality when it comes to imparting knowledge and know- how but also the resulting intellectual, economic and social fulfilment for both teachers and learners.
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) There is an acknowledged growing importance of transversal or 'soft' skills that can be applied in different fields. IndividuaFor example, the ability to work in a team, leadership qualities and management skills arequire tools and guidance on self-assessing assets that are becoming increasingly valued by employers. In this respect, it is important for Member States to consider the possibility of introducing informal skills validation, for instance through recognition of voluntary activities or civic service, with extra credit being given to those who have performed a particular service to their country. In this connection, Member State citizens must themselves be in a position to assess and describinge these and other skills, for example digital or language skills.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The current focus of the Europass framework on documentation is too limited to respond to current and future needs. To communicate skills and qualificatWhile an overhaul of Europass is needed to take account of the changes brought about by digital transformations, for example, or to learn from the failures of the multifarionus and make decisions on employment and learning opportunities users need acEuropean tools deployed in this area, it is, at the same time necessary to relevant information and tools for understanding skills and qualifications as well as tools for documenting their own skills and qualificationfrain from creating a completely new tool. Harmonising certification procedures would not only be contrary to the EU Treaties but would also be counter-productive, since it would effectively disregard the specific differences between the education and training systems in the Member States and between the national labour markets.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Union tools and services for skills and qualifications should, within the limits set by the treaties in this area, adapt to changing practices and advances in technology to ensure they remain relevant and of value to users. This should be achieved by, among other things, creating more synergy between related tools and services, including those developed by third par simplifying and rationalising available tools while drawing on an exchange of best practices, to offer a more comprehensive and effective service between the Member States.
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The revised Europass framework approach should consider the needs of all potential users, including in the Member States, including individual citizens, national authorities, learners, job seekers, workers, employers, guidance practitioners, public employment services, social partners, education and training providers, and youth work organisations and policy makers.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Services should be provided online at Union level. Services should also include the development and use of open standards, metadata schemata and semantic assets to facilitate the effective exchange of information, appropriate authentication measures to ensure trust of digital documents, and skills intelligence and informationOnline services may coordinated at European level by means of intergovernmental management. Services should also facilitate the effective exchange of information, skills intelligence, in line with the different sectors in the Member States, and information regarding specific skills at local and national level. In addition, support services at national level should promote and ensure access to a wide range of users, including third country national the Member States.
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) EURES is a cooperative network responsible forshould be reviewed to ensure that it promotes an exchanginge of information and facilitatinges interaction among job seekers and employers. It provides free assistance to jobseekers wishing to move to another in a given region or country, so as to ensure that it effectively meets the challenges facing jobseekers, most of whom wish to find work as close to home as possible and country and assists employers wishibute to social and economic growth ing to recruit workers from otheheir locality or countriesy. Synergies and co-operation between Europass and EURES should be ensured to reinforce the impact of bothenhance the effectiveness of these services.
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The designation of National Skills Coordination Points as the main interface and beneficiary of Union funding will support simplified administration and reporting and can support a greater cooperation and coordination between national services, including the existing Naking into account national implementing and organisational provisions, it is necessary to rely on the national Europass Ccentres, EQF National Coordination Points and the Euroguidance network without prejudice to national arrangements in terms of implementation and organisation for implementation of the measures resulting from that review.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Participation in the new framework should be open to acceding States, countries of the European Economic Area, potential candidate countries and candidate countries for accession to the Union, given their long- standing interest and cooperation with the Union in this field. Participation should be in accordance with the relevant provisions in the instruments governing relations between the Union and those countries. Information on skills and qualifications provided through the Europass framework will come from a wider range of countries and education systems than those of participating countries and reflect migration movements from and to other parts of the world.With 20.4 million people out of work and an unemployment rate of almost 9 % of all EU Member States1a, the new framework arrangements should not extend to third countries, given that the employment of Member State nationals must be the priority of European decision- makers, who have so far failed to meet this challenge. Inclusion of third country nationals would merely serve to heighten distrust of Member State citizens, particularly those still without a job despite assurances of a prosperous Union,
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Commission will guarantee a platform ofcould help coordinate cooperation wibetween the Member States andthemselves and with relevant stakeholders to ensure the overall coherence of implementation and monitoring of this Decision.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 28
Recital 28
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) The activities carried out in the context of this Decision willshould be supported by the expertise of the Union agencies, in particular by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), national authorities acting within their domain of competence,
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Decision establishes a European framework, comprising web- based tools, information and the development of open standards to support the transparency and understanding of different skills and qualifications available and necessary in the various Member States using web-based tools and information. The framework shall be known as ‘Europass’.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. Europass shall be managed by the Commission and supported by the National Skills Coordination Pointan intergovernmental body with the support of the Commission if necessary and of the various existing national structures and national Europass centres.
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) learning opportunities available at local, national and, if necessary, European level;
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) opportunities to validate non-formal and informal learning in the user's Member State and, where he wishes, in other EU Member States;
Amendment 194 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) recognition practices and decisions in different countries, including third countries, to help individuals and other stakeholders understand qualifications;
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) services offering guidance for learning and career development as close to home as possible for the European citizen using the service;
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) analysis of trends in skills supply and demand by country and sector in line with specific national requirements and other types of skills intelligence including at geographical and sectoral level, using technological means such as big data analysis and web crawling;
Amendment 205 #
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The information and open standards offered through Europass shall be published, free of charge, for reuse by Member States and other stakeholders on a voluntary basis.
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Europass shall seek to enhance transparency and understanding of learning acquired in formal, non-formal and informal settings and through practical experiences, including mobilityin line with the various national framework arrangements and standards.
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Europass shall include tools to facilitate the understanding of skills throughpecific skills depending on the sectors and countries concerned; these tools shall draw on assessment by third parties and self-declaration by individuals.
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) shallmay be used as a supporting framework to provide information in Europass. The EQF will be referred to in information on qualifications, descriptions of national education and training systems and other relevant topics.
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. Europass shall use the European Classification of Skills/Competencestake into account the various definitions, requirement, Qqualifications and Occupations (ESCO) established in Article 6 to ensure semantic interoperability between the tools for documentskills in the different Member States in order to combat standardisation and ensure the preservation of national and information. ESCO shall also provide a platform for interoperability with other relevant services such as those developed by the labour marketlocal knowledge and traditional know-how. In this way it will take advantage of the differences between apparently similar jobs in various Member States, so as to promote cultural diversity and excellence in different areas of know-how in Europe (without encouraging downward levelling).
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. The Europass framework may include an option to store personal information by users, such as a personal profile. When users chooses this option, they shall be entitled to have access to clear, understandable and transparent information regarding possible or actual use of this personal data.
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 10
Article 4 – paragraph 10
10. Europass shall be operated to support and ensure synergies with otherthe rationalisation and coherence of instruments and services offered at Union level and national level. The development of open metadata schemata shall be compatible with the technical standards applied under Regulation (EU) 2016/589. It shall complement but not replace the action of Member States in the field of education, in line with Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Amendment 250 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Europass Qualification Supplement(s) shall be issued by the competent national authorities in accordance with templates developed by the European Commission and other stakeholders32 such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO. _________________ 32 Current supplements are the Certificate Supplement and the Diploma SupplementMember States in the context of an intergovernmental cooperation body and other stakeholders32 such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO.
Amendment 260 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. All Europass Qualification Supplement documents issued by authorised bodies shall be issued automatically and free of charge in electronic form, in the national language and/or in a major European language, in accordance with the procedures agreed between the issuing bodies and the Nnational Skills Coordination PointEuropass centres referred to in Article 8 and in conformity with any procedures agreed between the Member States, the European Commission and stakeholders.
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6
Article 6
Amendment 285 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b
Amendment 298 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point c
Amendment 305 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) support the development of skills intelligence, depending on the sectors and Member States in question, including anticipation and forecasting;
Amendment 308 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point f
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point f
Amendment 314 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point g
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point g
(g) monitor the activities of the Nnational Skills Coordination PointEuropass centres, the consistency of information they provide for the analysis of trends in skills supply and demand, in the various sectors and Member States and the information provided on learning opportunities to the relevant portal at Union level;
Amendment 324 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) designate and manage, in accordance with national circumstances, a Nthe national Skills Coordination PointEuropass centres, to support coordination and cooperation amongbetween the national services referred to in this Decision;
Amendment 328 #
(b) ensure, through the National Skills Coordination Point, the timely and effective provision of data and information available at national level for the updating of the Europass framework;Does not affect the English version.)
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Each Nnational Skills Coordination PointEuropass centre shall:
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Amendment 356 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. Within five years of the entry into force of this Decision, and then every five years thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Member States, the European Parliament and the Council an evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision.
Amendment 357 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. Participation in the activities referred to in this Decision shall be open to Acceding States and to non-EU countries of the European Economic Area in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement.the EU Member States
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2