Continuous vocational training and collective bargaining in the EU

The regulation of continuous vocational training (CVT) is highly dispersed and only affects a small proportion of CVT activities in Germany. Collective agreements are of minor significance for the incidence of CVT. Over the last years, agreements on CVT have been concluded in some sectors that cover a significant number of employees. They, however, do not provide an individual right to participate in training programmes that are funded by the employer. Whilst unions have called for more extensive legislation to promote CVT activities, employers’ associations oppose any claims for more extensive regulation.