19 October 1988

If Community's commitment to the achievement of the internal market by 1992 is to be realised on the basis of social and economic cohesion, then particular attention should be drawn to the freedom of movement of workers.

This, one of the pillars of the whole initiative, will be brought about through the establishment of common principles for vocational training which would serve as a basis for national vocational training programmes recognised at EC level.

The retail trade is a major employer in the Community giving work to some 11% of the total working population.

Therefore, with the launch of the White Paper in 1985 (COM (85) 310 final), employers and employees in the retail trade addressed themselves to the question of vocational training needs in their sector, a vital element in the wider sphere of distribution which embraces 70% of all trade within the internal market.

Following discussion in joint working groups chaired by the Commission it became clear that, whereas some countries had developed structures of vocational training, others had no infrastructure to speak of and were looking to their EEC partners for guidance. Furthermore, even where developed systems existed, there was general agreement that some restructuring and reorganisation was necessary to meet the needs of the retail trade in the Europe of the future.

The working group looked at ways in which the European Community could contribute to reducing training imbalances and work towards the harmonisation of training criteria in all member states.

Following detailed discussion within the working group, EURO-FIET (European regional organisation of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees) and CECD (European Confederation for Retail Trade) could agree that:

- vocational training is required before and throughout working life;

- vocational training should be available to all those working or wishing to work in the retail sector as should further training whether workers are part-time or full-time;

- vocational training should be part of national legislation and/or collective agreements between employers and trade unions, according to national practices;

- special attention should be given to young people and disadvantaged groups;

- special attention should be given to the retention and career prospects of women working full time and part time in the retail trade;

- Vocational training should be part of a jointly agreed social policy and be considered as an investment and a priority in the employment relations policy of retail establishments in the Community.

In view of these points of general agreement the working group proceeded to make the following recommendations:

Minimum vocational training standards should be established at European level and should ensure that employees are equipped with a sufficient level and breadth of qualifications to enable them to meet occupational requirements and to adjust to subsequent changes in their working lives. To this end, multidisciplinary programmes should be established which give consideration to the qualification requirements of work organisation, product changes and the use of technology.

Such programmes should be decided upon with the consultation and agreement of the social partners but should as a minimum cover:

- a satisfactory level of pre-vocational training in school to be provided by public authorities;

- a general commercial training including:

- training in social communication,

- training in general principles of distribution, in the role of the retail sector in the economy and in the structure of the enterprise,

- training in the functioning of industrial relations and employment laws of the country where training is provided,

- training in the function and use of new technologies, particularly those used in the retail trade,

- training in safety legislation and security,

- practical training in the knowledge of selected product groups and their effects on environment,

- training in marketing, sales and services, purchasing and storage,

- training in accounting,

- training in at least one Community language besides the trainee's mother tongue.

The duration and organisation of training will remain the responsibility of national institutions and/or authorities.

The proposal contained in the White Paper (Paragraph 90) on the Completion of the Internal Market with regard to the establishment of a European Vocational Training Card should be adopted with regard to this sector. This card should have official Community recognition and CECD and EURO-FIET should be signatories to the card.

The recognition of training programmes will be granted by the European Commission after official application by a national institution and/or a trade union organisation and/or an employer's organisation and/or national authorities.

The European Commission will ensure that such recognition will only be granted in compliance with the principles outlined in this memorandum. CECD and EURO-FIET invite the Commission to seek the advice of expert representatives of employers and trade unions in order to achieve this aim.

The Commission is invited to provide support so that both parties can maintain a dialogue to ensure that the principles outlined in this memorandum are updated to meet changing circumstances in the retail trade sector.

Holders of the European Vocational Training Card should be recognised as having undergone an approved programme of vocational training for employment in the retail trade sector of the Member States.

The European Community should include vocational training for the retail trade in its priorities under the various Community funds and should promote the involvement of national governments in the funding of vocational training programmes.

CECD and EURO-FIET request the Commission to work towards the implementation of the principles elaborated in this memorandum.