FUTURISME II –
FUTURE OF SOCIAL DIALOGUE IN SMES
IN THE FRAMEWORK OF
10TH – 11TH APRIL 2003
LIVERPOOL,
UNITED KINGDOM
A project of UEAPME co-financed by the
European Commission – European Social Fund
EUROPEAN UNION
European Social Fund
Article 6 Innovative Measures
F U T U R I S M E II
Future of Social Dialogue in SMEs
FUTURISME II
International Seminars on SME Learning & Training
Introduction
What is FUTURISME II?
A project supported by the European Commission to give private business owners a chance to hear and
assess what they believe to be the real needs of small businesses in the development of UK and European
learning and training policies. These seminars will provide a vital contribution from the UK to the Futurisme
II' project, which will help to shape EU thinking on learning and training in SMEs.
Using focus groups and tailor-made seminars, FUTURISME II will build on the conclusions and
recommendations of the successful FUTURISME I initiative (1999-2001).
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) will host the UK ‘Futurisme II’ international seminar in April 2003, in
Liverpool. The FPB is the UK small business representative group, which, as the sole UK member of
UEAPME (the European Association of EU SME organizations) is uniquely placed to influence directly the
decision-makers both in Europe and in Westminster. The Liverpool Seminar will be looking at the issue of
social dialogue in SMEs, with a focus on the themes of adaptability and employability.
What is Social Dialogue?
Social dialogue includes all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between
representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest to economic and
social policy between Member States.
Where is the UK positioned with regard to Social Dialogue?
The UK does not have a formal Social Dialogue process as such and, in this respect, it differs from many
EU States. One aspect of the Seminar will be to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the formal
and informal Social Dialogue.
Objectives of the Project
To help SMEs with the challenges of the new economy by promoting international communication - sharing
knowledge and good practice with regard to social dialogue.
To improve all SMEs' ability to deal with the broadening scope of social dialogue, irrespective of whether
they are officially recognised social partners on a national level or not.
To facilitate institution building and networking between national SME organisations. Working with SMEs to
address issues such as work organisations, training opportunities and networking in the framework of the
social dialogue.
Day One
Will examine the needs of small and medium sized businesses in relation to training in the development of
the business. Representatives from a number of European countries will share their experiences of learning
and training in their own country.
Day Two
Using the findings of day one, leading organisations from the region will take a strategic look at how they
can improve opportunities for UK SMEs to share best practice with their European counterparts.
Speakers
Keynote speakers will be Rt. Hon. Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Adult Skills, Hans-Werner Müller, SecretaryGeneral of UEAPME, and David Coats, Head of Economic and Social Affairs in the TUC.
Other speakers will include representatives from Germany, Austria, Italy France, Sweden and Denmark, as
well as from FPB, GME, TUC North West, LSC, UEAPME, Small Business Europe and other organisations.
Private business owners, from both the UK and EU will be also presenting their views.
Topics covered
Part of the discussion will focus on a pilot project in Merseyside - a collaboration between Greater
Merseyside Enterprise, TUC North West and the Forum of Private Business. Its focus is specifically ‘micro’
business employers (1-10 employees), and includes: two independently developed activities that form the
foundation of the Project and, TUC Merseyside's review of, and suggestions for, development of the Trade
Union Learning Representatives scheme. There will be a particular emphasis on the support this initiative
could provide for the micro business sector.
The Merseyside Project:- Micro Business Learning and Training
The project builds on the work already undertaken by TUC North West, the Forum of Private Business
(FPB) and Greater Merseyside Enterprise (SBS) to develop a programme of investigation into the needs,
opinions and suggestions of micro-business employers for their management and employee training
requirements.
The driving force of the project recognises that it is essential that the business and employment needs of the
SME sector (particularly ‘micro’ businesses) are taken into account by policy and legislation makers and not
just those of the larger organisations as represented by the CBI.
Employer (FPB) and employee (TUC) representative organisations are collaborating to ensure that the
needs of SMEs are recognised and acted upon through meetings and communications with Regional,
National and European Policy-makers. This is known as the Social Dialogue.
In a number of European countries, the Social Dialogue is a formal arrangement whereby the National
Governments are obliged to consult with the Social Partners (employers and employees) on business and
employment related issues. In the UK, there are only informal arrangements that rely on representation,
such as that of FPB, to promote SME interests to a high profile.
Part of this process includes consideration of the implications of skills assessment and qualification awards.
Consultations address both the existing national systems and, where possible, new arrangements for the
recognition of informal training (i.e. competencies of employees)
The project will identify ‘Best Practice’ solutions to the training needs of SMEs and produce
recommendations for their implementation.
‘Future of Social Dialogue in SMEs’
Day One: Thursday, 10th April 2003
Day Two Friday, 11th April 2003
10.00 – 12.00 First am Plenary:
10.00 – 11.30 First am Plenary:
Keynote Speaker: - TBC
Keynote Speaker: Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Adult
Skills (DfES)
The Futurisme Project - Gerhard Huemer, UEAPME
Welcome & Introduction by Nick Goulding, FPB
Regional Aspects by Len Collinson, FPB
GME & its role in the Project, Tom Kenny, GME
SME Case Study
TUC & its role in the Project, Dave Eva, TUC
Institute of Small Business Affairs Papers &
role in Project, Jim Redman, FPB
Small business delegate–learning & training needs
The European Social Dialogue Process and
teleworking agreement
H-W Müller, Secretary General UEAPME
David Coates, Head of Economic and Social Affairs,
TUC
Questions and Answers
11.30 – 11.45 Break
12.00 – 12.45 Second am Plenary
11.45 – 12.45 Second am Plenary
Regional initiatives, LSC
UK Social Dialogue – or is it?
SFEDI - its role in endorsing learning and training
programmes, Nigel Hudson, SFEDI.
University support for learning and training in SMEs,
Alan Moody, University of Liverpool.
Perspectives of European SME Representation
Questions and Answers
Liliane Volozinskis, UEAPME
UK Representation in Europe, Ben Butters,
Small Business /Europe
SME Delegate
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
Questions and Answers
14.00 – 15.30 First pm Plenary
12.45 – 14.00 Lunch
Learning & Training in German SMEs – the role of ZDH
and Union representation, Karl Spelburg
Learning & Training in Italian SMEs – the role of
Confartigiantato and Union representation.
Learning and training in Swedish SMEs – the role of
Foretagarna and Union representation, Christina
Linderholm.
Learning & Training in Danish SMEs – the role of the
Danish Womens’ Organisation (DHK), Vibeke Broman
Learning & Training at a European level – Liliane
Volozinskis, UEAPME
14.00 – 14.30 First pm Plenary
SME participation in Social Dialogue (Social
Partners?). What is the Social Dialogue for SMEs
Garry Parker, FPB
FPB work in UEAPME, Victoria Carson, FPB/UEAPME
14.30 – 15.45 Discussion Panels
1.
2.
Questions and Answers
3.
15.30 – 16.00 Break
16.00 – 17.15 Discussion Panels
1. Training needs
2. SME employees’ perspective
3. Informal training, learning and accreditation
17.15 – 17.30 Summary and close day one
How can UK SMEs be involved?
What do SMEs want from the UK Social
Dialogue?
Can the Trade Unions contribute to the
benefit of SMEs?
15.45 – 16.15 Summary and Conclusion of Seminar
Hans-Werner Müller, Secretary General, UEAPME
Len Collinson, Chairman, Forum of Private Business
Registration form
‘Future of Social Dialogue in SMEs’
Futurisme Seminar
Liverpool, 10th and 11th April 2003
Yes, I want to attend
Surname:………………………………….
Firstname:………………………………………..
Organisation/Enterprise:…………………………………………………………………………………
Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tel:………...............................................
Fax:…………......................................................
E-mail:…………........................................................................................
I will attend the dinner on Wednesday 9th April
Yes

No

No

No

I will attend the lunch on Thursday 10th April
Yes

I will attend the lunch on Friday 11th April
Yes

I am interested in a social programme on Saturday 12th April from 10.00 – 13.00
Yes

No
Signature ………………………………………
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date ………………………………….
Please return to Neil Marrs, Telephone: +44 (0) 1565 634467 Facsimile: +44 (0) 870 4582516
E-mail: Neil.Marrs@fpb.co.uk
Practical Information
Non-UK participants and all speakers in the conference will be reimbursed for the cost of travel
(economy class flight) on presentation of necessary documents; ticket vouchers & boarding cards,
receipts of payment etc. Dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation has been reserved at the
Liverpool Marriott Hotel, City Centre for the nights of Wednesday & Thursday, 9 th/10th, April and will
be paid by the conference organisers.
Contact Details: 1 Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1RH
Tel: +44-(0)151- 476-8000
Fax: +44-(0)151-474-5000
Dinner on the Wednesday night will be an informal get-together for delegates and speakers.
Accommodation is provided based on a double/twin room with single-occupancy. A hotel leaflet,
describing the facilities available, is enclosed for your information. Transport between the hotel
and the conference venue will be provided.
Conference participants may wish to take advantage of the option to reserve their room for double
occupancy and additional nights to include the weekend. This would involve additional costs of
£29 for the nights of 9th and 10th April and £74 (single), £98 (double) for Friday and Saturday
nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Participants would be liable for these additional costs. An
optional social programme has been arranged for the morning of Saturday 12 th April. The
programme is enclosed.
A limited number of rooms are available for UK participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Conference Venue
The Foresight Centre
The University of Liverpool
1 Brownlow Street
Liverpool L69 3GL
Tel: +44-(0)151-794-8060
Contact: Lynn Westbury.
E-mail: L.Westbury@liverpool.ac.uk
Conference Language
English
Conference Organiser
The Forum of Private Business
Ruskin Chambers
Drury Lane
Knutsford
Cheshire
WA16 6HA
Contact:
Neil Marrs
Tel: +44-(0)1565-634467
Fax: +44-(0) 870-458-2516
E-mail: Neil.Marrs@fpb.co.uk
Fax: +44-(0)151-794-8311