The Copenhagen process takes another step forward as European Ministers, the European Commission and the European Social Partners adopted a Communiqué defining priorities of cooperation for 2008-2010.
The main instrument for European cooperation in vocational education and training is the Copenhagen process. This process was initiated in 2002, when the education Ministers of 31 European countries, the European social partners and the European Commission adopted the Copenhagen Declaration on enhanced cooperation in European vocational education and training. The Copenhagen process calls for a review of progress every two years. This has taken place in Maastricht in 2004 and in Helsinki in 2006 and now in 2008 under the French Presidency in Bordeaux.
In all the discussions leading up to the Bordeaux review, there is a general consensus that the Copenhagen process has been a success, and that the focus should now be on consolidating the strategy, and implementing the principles and tools that have been built since 2002.
Taking stock of the progress achieved and defining priorities for 2008-2010, the Bordeaux Communiqué introduces the new objective of strengthening the links between VET and the labour market. This ties in with the "New skills for new jobs" initiative on anticipating and matching labour market and skills needs. A Commission Communication with the same title is due in December 2008.
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