Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Latvia (RATIFICATION: 1993)

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Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Government reports that several amendments have been made, between 2013 and 2018, to the national legislation and necessary changes have been implemented in the vocational training system to reinforce its relevance to the labour market. The Committee notes with interest the comprehensive statistical data submitted by the Government on the number of people receiving career services and participating in vocational training, between 2013 and 2018. It further notes the information provided by the Government on the implementation of educational and training policies and programmes formulated in collaboration with the social partners and other interested bodies to enhance youth and adult education and professional qualifications. The Committee notes, in particular, the amendments to the Vocational Education Law and the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 31, introducing a quality assurance procedure for regular evaluation and self-evaluation of educational institutions. The Government reports on measures undertaken by the State Education Quality Service, in cooperation with the local governments and state vocational education institutions, to reduce early school leaving among children and young people (aged 18–24). The Committee notes that, according to the statistics provided by the Government, Latvia has exceeded its target of reducing the early school-leaving rate among youth to 10 per cent by 2020, given that the rate of early school-leavers among youth has declined from 10 per cent in 2016 to 8.6 per cent as of 2017. The Government reports, however, that gender disparities still remain as the share of early school-leavers among girls is less (5 per cent in 2017 and 6.2 per cent in 2016) than among boys (12 per cent in 2017 and 13.7 per cent in 2016). The Committee notes that the European Social Fund (ESF) project, “Know and Do”, launched in 2014 by the Agency for International Programs for Youth, focuses on developing the skills of youths at risk of social exclusion and facilitating their engagement in education. The Government reports that the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 75 of 25 January 2011 introduces a method of training vouchers for all State Employment Agency (SEA) training programmes and active labour market policy measures (ALMPs). The method applies not only to the unemployed and jobseekers, but also to lifelong learning programmes for adults (until December 2014) and short training programmes for gaining basic skills and competencies. The Committee notes that SEA training also targets young persons and disadvantaged groups, such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and persons over the age of 50. The Government reports that the SEA provides career guidance to young people as well as to adults and anticipates labour market trends on the basis of short-term forecasts. It also implements programmes and projects funded by the ESF on lifelong learning for employed persons and adults in formal and non-formal education regardless of age, sex, previous education, and place of residence, income level, ethnic origin, functional disorders, or other factors. The Committee notes that Regulation No. 146 of 22 February 2011 on the “Procedure for the Validation of the Professional Competence Acquired Outside Formal Education System” establishes a procedure for the evaluation of the professional qualifications of people who have acquired their professional competence outside the formal education system. As a result, between 2011 and 2017, more than 5,000 professional qualification certificates (including 1,157 certificates in 2017 alone) have been issued. The Committee also notes the creation of cooperation mechanisms with the social partners and sectoral organizations. In particular, it notes the creation of a collegial advisory institution, in 2016, which includes the tripartite partners. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex on the impact of the education and training policies and programmes implemented in collaboration with the social partners and other interested bodies. It also requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the different ministries, including the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environmental and Regional Development and Science, as well as the Ministry of Culture, ensure effective coordination between education and training policies and programmes on the one hand and employment services on the other.

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Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in September 2013, including relevant statistical information on professional career selection services, lifelong education and training. The Government indicates that 12.5 per cent of adult citizens were to be involved in educational measures in 2013 (in 2012, the participation of adults in the learning process increased, reaching 7 per cent). The Committee notes that the Ministry of Education and Science has developed Guidelines for the Optimisation of the Network of Vocational Education Institutions and that the State Employment Agency has also been active in implementing measures related to the improvement of skills. Moreover, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (IDAL) continues support the improvement of employees’ qualifications in accordance with the requirements of employers. Social partners are involved in the implementation of the measures related to the improvement of the national qualification system, carrying out sectoral studies and developing and improving standards of occupations and the content of vocational education. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the education and training policies and programmes formulated and implemented in collaboration with the social partners and other interested bodies. Please also include information on the impact of measures intended to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for women, young persons, older workers and long-term unemployed.

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The Committee notes the comprehensive information provided in the Government’s report received in September 2008. The Committee notes that, in 2005, 76 per cent of secondary students continued their education at universities and colleges. That number was 75 per cent in 2006, and increased to 77 per cent in 2007. In 2005, 43,176 persons received career preferences services, increasing to 53,463 in 2006, and decreasing to 44,252 persons in 2007. The Government reports that this decrease is attributable to the provision of this service in electronic form. The Committee also notes that, in 2007, the Government implemented a national programme to develop a single methodology for the enhancement of the quality of professional education and the inclusion and education of social partners. The Government reports that European Social Funds will be invested in this programme during the 2007–13 planning period. In 2004, and expanded upon in 2007, the Government established the Trilateral Cooperation Councils of Regional Professional Education and Employment (TCCRPEE) with the aim of ensuring the involvement of regional social partners in the strengthening of the quality of education. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the impact of the TCCRPEE on involving regional social partners in the strengthening of education policies. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate the measures taken with a view to encouraging and enabling women and vulnerable categories of workers such as young persons and people with disabilities to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1(5)).

The Committee also notes that, in 2006, the State Employment Agency (SEA) launched a programme to extend the period of active employment for seniors. In 2008, the Government implemented a strategy for lifelong learning, and developed guidelines for lifelong learning for 2007–13. The Committee notes that the Latvia National Development Plan (NDP) for 2007–13 lays down the following objectives for adult education: (i) to establish comprehensive, qualitative lifelong learning; (ii) to enlarge the capacity of adult education centres and foster the development of new centres; and (iii) to provide state support to adult education. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on the vocational training and programmes executed by the SEA, and invites the Government to continue to indicate in its next report the measures taken to adopt a strategy for lifelong education and training (Article 4). The Committee would also appreciate receiving information, disaggregated by gender and age, concerning education, training and lifelong learning (please refer to the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195)).

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With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee notes the detailed information supplied by the Government in its report for the period ending in June 2003. The Committee notes with interest the measures taken and envisaged under the Vocational Training Development Programme for 2003-05. It proposes to continue to follow the issue of Russian-speaking persons’ access to and participation in adult vocational training in the context of its examination of the application of Convention No. 111 (Article 1, paragraph 5, of Convention No. 142). It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would provide additional information on the effect given to the following provisions of Convention No. 142.

1. Linking vocational guidance and vocational training with employment. Please indicate the manner in which coordination is ensured between the vocational guidance and training activities of the Ministry of Education and those of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Please specify the role of the Council for Cooperation in Vocational Education (Article 1, paragraph 1).

2. Availability of information for vocational guidance purposes. Please specify the manner in which information on working conditions, safety and health at work and general aspects of labour law is made available for vocational guidance purposes (Article 3, paragraph 2 and 3).

3. Strengthening strategies for lifelong education and training. Please describe the measures taken under the Vocational Training Development Programme to enhance the apprenticeship system and encourage enterprises to offer training. Please indicate the progress made in adopting a strategy for lifelong education and training (Article 4). The Government may find it useful to consult Recommendation No. 195, adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 92nd Session (2004).

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The Committee notes the detailed information contained in the Government's second report, in particular that the Government is in the process of reforming the vocational and education training system. The Committee would appreciate receiving further information on the outcome of this process to use in its assessment of the application of the Convention. It therefore defers comment until the next session.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government's first report on the application of the Convention. It notes in particular that a vocational guidance system is in the process of being established, and that the unemployed are trained in professions for which there is a demand in the labour market, as determined by the economy. So that it may assess the policies and measures adopted in this area, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide comprehensive and detailed information in its second report on the effect given to each provision of the Convention in response to each question in the report form, enabling it better to assess the application of the Convention. The Committee also asks the Government to send with its next report any relevant extracts from reports, studies, surveys or statistical data (Part VI of the report form).

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government's first report on the application of the Convention. It notes in particular that a vocational guidance system is in the process of being established, and that the unemployed are trained in professions for which there is a demand in the labour market, as determined by the economy. So that it may assess the policies and measures adopted in this area, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide comprehensive and detailed information in its second report on the effect given to each provision of the Convention in response to each question in the report form, enabling it better to assess the application of the Convention. The Committee also asks the Government to send with its next report any relevant extracts from reports, studies, surveys or statistical data (Part VI of the report form).

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The Committee notes the Government's first report on the application of the Convention. It notes in particular that a vocational guidance system is in the process of being established, and that the unemployed are trained in professions for which there is a demand in the labour market, as determined by the economy. So that it may assess the policies and measures adopted in this area, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide comprehensive and detailed information in its second report on the effect given to each provision of the Convention in response to each question in the report form, enabling it better to assess the application of the Convention. The Committee also asks the Government to send with its next report any relevant extracts from reports, studies, surveys or statistical data (Part VI of the report form).