WRITTEN QUESTION E-1320/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Exclusion of private vocational training institutes from the operational programme for education and basic vocational training in Greece

The new operational programme for education and basic vocational training in Greece excludes private vocational training institutes from receiving EU funding for the programmes, which is contrary to previous proposals put forward by the Ministry of Education and the original agreements between that Ministry and the Commission to maintain open procedures in the award of contracts for basic vocational training. Furthermore, the exact opposite applies to the operational programme for further vocational training in which the competent bodies public and private vocational training institutes once certified, are eligible to submit offers to run programmes put out to tender by the responsible authority.

1. Why do different funding arrangements apply to basic and further vocational training when the circumstances are fundamentally the same?

2. In the Commission's view, do these provisions ensure competition between public and private vocational training institutes?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2001)

The Commission would like to point out that Community assistance is intended as support for or a contribution to national measures. The European Social Fund thus supports Member States' activities to develop the labour market and human resources.

It should also be noted, for the specific sector of vocational training in Greece, that the operational programme for education and basic vocational training provides for a study to be carried out, as part of the mid-term evaluation, on the conditions for the possible participation of private vocational training centres. According to the results of this study, the possibility of allowing private vocational training centres to participate in the programme's actions on the basis of open procedures will be examined in agreement with the Greek authorities.

Consequently, the new operational programme for education and basic vocational training, which was approved by the Commission on 14 March 2001, is in keeping with the spirit of the third Community support framework (CSF) and will contribute significantly to the Greek authorities' attempt to modernise the education system.