The need to provide continuing training for an ageing workforce has led to a proliferation of cost-sharing schemes across Europe and beyond. These include tax incentives, loans, vouchers, sectoral training funds, and individual learning accounts. Such schemes typically involve several stakeholders: companies, trade unions, the individual learner, state funds, and even banks. But how effective and how equitable are they? And can they be adapted to other countries?

These questions will be examined in the upcoming Cedefop conference, part of its -œAgora- series, in Thessaloniki. Topics of this conference, which is now open for registration, will include a detailed examination of sectoral training funds in several Member States, the role of the European Social Fund, and an appraisal of the various cost-sharing methods employed so far.