Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2009, publiée 99ème session CIT (2010)

Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2009, indicating that the development of human capital is considered as one of the strategic areas for enhancing the employability of the labour force under the 2008 National Employment Policy. The Policy leads for the Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations and the private sector in developing and implement mechanisms for skills development and encourages investment in education and skills training programmes. The Committee notes that the competence-based education and training (CBET) approach has been adopted as a tool for implementing demand-driven training. The Committee welcomes this approach and invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of the action taken to promote skills under the National Employment Policy. It also asks the Government to provide information on the existing methods for developing comprehensive and coordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training, indicating, in particular, the manner in which the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) contributes to the effective coordination of policies and programmes, and the manner in which they are linked to employment and to public employment services.

Article 3. Coverage by the vocational training system of vulnerable groups. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the increased participation levels in secondary schools and higher learning institutions, particularly the increase in secondary school enrolment from 524,325 in 2005 to 1,222,403 in 2008. It observes, however, that the female participation ratio decreased from 47 to 44.4 per cent in secondary schools, and from 68 to 65 per cent in higher education. The Government indicates that the vocational training policy takes into account the training needs of all groups of workers; however, it refers to difficulties in balancing training provision, especially in the informal sector and between rural and urban areas. The Government also indicates that a skills training programme has been implemented by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Development, in collaboration with local government authorities, in 111 rural districts. The Committee notes that, among the specific objectives of the National Employment Policy, there is the promotion of equal access to employment opportunities for vulnerable groups, such as women, young persons and persons with disabilities, as well as the enhancement of skills and competencies of workers in the informal sector, especially in rural areas. It further notes that the Decent Work Country Programme 2006–10 includes among its priorities poverty reduction through the creation of employment opportunities with a focus on youth employment issues. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to increase gender-balanced access to education and training and to encourage women to develop and use their professional abilities in all branches of economic activity and at all levels of skill and responsibility. Please also indicate the measures taken to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for persons with specific needs, such as young persons, rural workers, workers in the informal economy, and the other categories of vulnerable persons identified in Paragraph 5(h) of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the development of policies and programmes of vocational training is achieved in cooperation with all stakeholders. The social partners, together with the Government and the civil society, are represented in the National Vocational Education and Training Board, which is responsible for the development, supervision and implementation of policies at national level. Regional vocational education and training boards, with similar composition, set vocational training priorities and monitor their implementation at regional level. The Committee notes that a Thematic Working Group on Employment was established in 2008 within the National Strategy for Economic Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NEGRP, “MKUKUTA”), which is led by the Ministry of Labour and includes the social partners, other relevant ministries (finance, industry, agriculture, community development and education), the private sector, civil society organizations, and the partners in development under the leadership of the ILO. The working group will facilitate cooperation between development partners and national stakeholders to support the Government’s effort to enhance employment opportunities and achieve decent work for all. The Committee asks the Government to continue supplying information on the measures adopted to ensure the collaboration of the social partners and other interested bodies in formulating and implementing education and training policies and programmes.