Brussels, 12/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - European ministers at the Education, Youth and Culture Council on Tuesday 12 May held an exchange of views on developing partnerships between educational and training institutions and the social partners - employers in particular - in the context of lifelong learning and training. During the informal meeting of ministers in Prague in March, member states had taken the view that the current difficult economic circumstances more than ever call for an opening to the outside world and to employers in particular. The apprenticeship environment must correspond more to the world of work, explained the Czech minister for education, Miroslava Kopicová. Conclusions adopted on Tuesday are a follow-up to the informal meeting in Prague. They underline the fact that better cooperation between employers and educational and training institutions can bring mutual advantages for all parties concerned. A better knowledge of market trends may, moreover, contribute to adjusting education to future needs and strengthen student motivation. At the same time, collaboration with the educational institutions can help employers to ensure their employees develop professionally. “Closer cooperation between the world of education and the world of work is an essential element of the reform of our educational systems (…). This will help the young to acquire key skills to allow them to work”, Commissioner Ján Figel commented. (I.L./transl.jl)