Capabilities as an essential resource for economic development

Abstract

Dealing with an increasingly demanding, competitive and globalized labour market, the European institutions have been long involved with the improvement of education and training systems, in order to both reduce the phenomena of skills mismatches and give all EU citizens the chance to benefit from Lifelong Learning.
By switching to an approach based on learning outcomes, we are allowed a better identification of the knowledge, skills and competencies that are actually possessed by individuals. Furthermore, the application of the Quality Circle methodology guarantees transparency and increases the value of learning experience.
The improvement process of European Lifelong Learning instruments began almost fifteen years ago and it enters now into a new stage, thanks to the rationalization of Mobility Programs—all of which will be included in the ‘YES Europe’ program.