The conclusions of the recent preparatory workshop for CVTS4 emphasize the need to involve national social-partner organisations at an earlier stage of the survey. They also stress the need to reduce the amount of work involved in data collection, making it easier for companies to participate. Using new media for data collection might be one of the ways to speed up the process.

Every five years, Eurostat and National Statistical Offices carry out the Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS). It is the only international survey that provides information on companies' training policy: how training is managed, what motivates enterprises to train their staff, what effect technological changes have on training provision, and how companies evaluate training outcomes.

The survey collects data from companies with ten or more employees and covers internal and external training courses and programs such as on-the-job training, job rotation, and self-directed learning. Quantitatively, the survey covers the incidence, volume, intensity, and cost of training courses.

The fourth survey is scheduled to be implemented in 2011 and provide the first key indicators in 2012.