8. Calls for mutual recognition by the Member States of intermediate diplomas for steersman and mechanic for fishing vessels;

To enable citizens to communicate in two languages in addition to their mother tongue, promote language teaching, where relevant, in VET and for adult learners, and provide migrants with opportunities to learn the language of the host country.

The two levels correspond to regulated courses of study of a total duration of at least 15 years which require the successful completion of eight years of elementary education followed by four years of intermediate preparatory vocational education (VMBO), and which require at least three years' level 3 or 4 training at a college for intermediate vocational training (MBO), culminating in an examination (The average duration of vocational training may be reduced from three to two years where the student has a qualification required to enter university (14 years of prior training) or to enter higher vocational education (13 years of prior t ...[+++]raining)).

Expand and improve investment in human capital through: the establishment of efficient lifelong learning strategies, according to European commitments, including appropriate incentives and cost-sharing mechanisms for enterprises, public authorities and individuals, in particular to significantly reduce the number of pupils leaving school early; increased access to initial vocational, secondary and higher education, including apprenticeships and entrepreneurship training ; and enhanced participation in continuous and workplace training throughout the life-cycle, especially for the low-skilled and older workers (Integrated guideline No 2 ...[+++]2).

- Regulated training courses of a total duration of not less than 15 years, a prerequisite of which is successful completion of eight years of primary education plus four years of either intermediate general secondary education ("MAVO") or Preparatory Vocational Education ("VBO") or general secondary education of a higher level, and which require the completion of a three-year or four-year course at a college for intermediate vocational training ("MBO"), culminating in an examination,

- Courses at higher vocational schools ("Berufsbildende Hoehere Schulen") and higher education establishments for agriculture and forestry ("Hoehere Land- und Forstwirtschaftliche Lehranstalten"), including special types ("einschliesslich der Sonderformen"), the structure and level of which are determined by law, regulations and administrative provisions.