Because of the difficulty French plastics converters face in attracing qualified personnel, the country´s industry associations are increasingly supporting training programmes for school leavers. The latest development to emerge from an initiative spearheaded by the converters association Federation de la Plasturgie (FEP, Paris / France; www.laplasturgie.fr) is the EuroPlastic (www.europlastic.org) "Leonardo" project, aimed at defining standards for a pan-European technical qualification programme in plastics processing.

Since September 2006, young people who hold a baccalaureate certificate from a European secondary school or are already employed have been able to apply for a two-year continuing education course that includes practical training in an English-speaking country and internships at partner companies. Theoretical knowledge is transmitted in supplementary courses taught at various universities. Successful completion of the programme leads to the awarding of the "EuroPlastic" passport, equivalent to a diploma.

The European plastics converters association EuPC (Brussels / Belgium; www.eupc.org) is supporting the initiative, along with educational authorities in France, Belgium, Greece, Italy and Poland. Its introduction in other European countries will follow, a spokesperson for FEP told PIE.