§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the EC scheme Euroform, and its aims, funding and achievements to date.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI have been asked to reply.
EUROFORM is one of three human resource initiatives under the European social fund. It funds transnational partnerships between organisations in two or more member states and is designed to develop and promote new occupational qualifications, new skills and new employment opportunities responding to the single market and technological change.
The central aim of the initiative is the transfer of knowledge and expertise between member states. The objectives of EUROFORM are to provide a Community dimension for vocational training and employment promotion projects, to foster the convergence of occupational skills and qualifications and promote the occupational and geographical mobility of workers.
The EUROFORM programme in Great Britain was allocated 31.3 mecu—£21.8 million—for a three-year period 1991–93. Approximately £l3 million was allocated to projects submitted under the first round of applications in November 1991, and 92 projects were approved in principle for funding. A second round took place in April 1992 and a further 83 projects were selected, thereby committing virtually all remaining funds.