Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Bosnia and Herzegovina (Ratification: 1993)

Implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee recalls that each of the entities constituting Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is autonomous with regard to employment and labour issues. It notes the detailed information provided concerning the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the Republic of Srpska (RS) and the Brčko District (BD). The Committee notes that the FBiH is implementing a Strategic Platform for the development of adult education in the context of lifelong learning for the period 2014–2020. The Project forms part of an EU-funded “Human Resources Development Project”, which includes short- and long-term measures to be implemented by the competent education authorities. The Committee notes that there are no public institutions for adult education in the FBiH, whereas adult education in the RS is provided by the RS Institute of Adult Education and the secondary schools. With respect to the recognition of formal and informal learning and vocational training and education for adults, the Government is implementing a project on the “Development of a qualifications framework for lifelong learning”. The Government indicates that it develops, implements and coordinates policies related to adult education in line with the “Human Resources Development Project” and that the Federal Education and Science Ministry of the FBiH coordinates policies and programmes related to vocational education and training with the Federal Employment Institute and other relevant partners, such as the Association of Employers of the FBiH, the Chamber of Trades of the FBiH and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that active employment policy measures, such as co-financing of employment mediation and vocational training, are provided by the Federal Employment Institute and the cantonal employment services, and target students, unemployed persons and employers. In 2017, 800 users benefited from activities organized by 19 job clubs in the FBiH, which provided information sessions, workshops and support groups. The Committee notes that, in 2017, the Federal Employment Institute implemented the “First working experience 2017” and “First working experience 2017 Plus” programmes, which seek to enhance the employability of young people with no professional experience. As a result of both programmes, 1,311 persons found employment, of whom approximately 52 per cent were women. The Committee further notes that 336 unemployed persons benefited from the “Training to employment 2017” programme, which provided skills training for professions in the textile and wood industries. The Committee notes the detailed report provided by the Government on the diverse projects carried out by the Federal Employment Institute in collaboration with other institutions in 2017, such as the “Training and employment of welders” which resulted in the employment of 50 persons. Moreover, schemes to strengthen youth employability in 2017 were implemented through different projects, including through the “Business Challenge” project. The Committee notes that the Development Strategy of the RS 2016–2021 encourages adults to pursue lifelong learning and provides opportunities for upskilling, reskilling and continuous vocational training throughout their working lives. In 2017, six centres for information, vocational guidance and training (CISOs) provided services for unemployed persons, with a focus on young persons and the long-term unemployed, including vocational guidance and the development of soft skills needed to enter the labour market. In 2017, 11,089 persons participated in CISO activities (5,216 men and 5,873 women). An additional 747 persons were involved in these activities through job clubs. Moreover, 747 persons received job search training, out of which 56 per cent were women. In addition, job clubs carried out training programmes for unemployed persons wanting to start a business. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the content and impact of the policies and programmes related to vocational education and training developed and implemented by the Federal Employment Institute in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders. It also requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on the measures implemented within the Strategic Platform on the development of adult education in the context of lifelong learning in the BiH for 2014–2020. It further requests information on the content and impact of the Education Development Strategy of the RS for the period of 2016–2021 and on the content and impact of the policies and programmes related to vocational education and training implemented in the BD.

Article 3(1). Vocational education and training for persons with disabilities. The Committee notes that, in 2016, the FBiH adopted a Strategy for strengthening the rights and situation of persons with disabilities in the Federation of BiH (2016–2021). The Strategy includes measures related to education, professional rehabilitation and employment. With respect to training, companies, institutions and persons with disabilities themselves carry out vocational rehabilitation programmes with support from the “Fund for professional rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities of the Federation of BiH”. Such programmes include job training, vocational information and counselling, upskilling and pre-qualification, as well as financing and co-financing of school fees. The Government indicates that, in 2017, the Fund provided support for the training of 125 persons with disabilities. In addition, in 2018, the Federal Education and Science Ministry implemented a programme on “Support for training programmes, professional training and development of adult persons with a focus on women for the purpose of easier integration in the labour market”. The Committee notes that professional rehabilitation and training in the RS is carried out either by the educational system or by vocational rehabilitation institutions that cater for persons with severe disabilities. The Government provides no information regarding measures taken or envisaged to facilitate access to and participation in vocational education and training – including lifelong learning – for persons with disabilities in the BD. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date, detailed information, including statistical information disaggregated by sex and age, on the nature and impact of measures implemented in the three entities to promote access to vocational guidance, education, training and lifelong learning for persons with disabilities.

Article 3(2)(3). Information made available for vocational guidance purposes. The Committee notes that, according to the report published by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) in 2019, approximately three quarters of upper secondary students are enrolled in vocational education and training programmes. The Federal Employment Institute of the Federation of BiH and the cantonal employment services provide information concerning educational opportunities, professional education and the labour market through online sites and visits to schools and universities. In 2017, 5,072 students participated in these information sessions. Moreover, in 2017, three CISOs provided vocational guidance to 8,051 unemployed persons, as well as further vocational guidance on working in primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions and non-governmental organizations. The Committee notes that the RS Employment Institute regularly disseminates brochures on the subject of vocational guidance that target students. It also notes that, in 2018, the Employment Institute, in coordination with the BD Education Department, implemented a labour market and educational system coordination-career guidance and counselling programme in primary and secondary schools, including schools located in rural areas. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on activities undertaken by the Federal Employment Institute of the Federation of BiH, including through the CISOs, and to provide up-to-date information on the activities of the Employment Institute in the RS and the BD, particularly their nature, extent and impact, as well as on the impact of any measures taken in this context.

Article 4. Vocational training and lifelong learning. The Committee notes with interest that, in 2014, the Government of the FBiH adopted the Act on Principles of Adult Education in the Federation of BiH, which has been used as guidance by several cantons in developing their own legislation on adult education. The Committee notes that, in 2017, 1,525 persons benefited from adult education in the RS, with 61 per cent having benefited from pre-qualification programmes. Moreover, 35 public valid training programmes and three development programmes were created during the last reporting period. In addition, 63 adult education institutions received operating licences. The Committee further notes that measures aimed at increasing the competitive advantage of unemployed persons in the BD include provision of courses in informatics, English, German, accounting or entrepreneurship. Subjects are chosen based on a poll of unemployed persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature and impact of activities and measures developed and implemented pursuant to the Act on the Principles of Adult Education in the Federation of BiH. It further requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged in the RS and the BD in the context of lifelong learning and the impact of any such measures.

Article 5. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. The Committee notes that the tripartite councils have not yet been established at all levels of the Government and are functioning in only five cantons of the FBiH. The RS has developed a legal basis for creating tripartite advisory councils with the objective of fostering relationships between secondary vocational education institutions and the labour market, whereas the BD established a tripartite council in 2009. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on progress made in the establishment of the tripartite council at all levels of Government and on the measures implemented with the aim of facilitating the participation of the social partners in the development and implementation of vocational guidance, vocational education and training policies and programmes in the three entities of the country. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted with the participation of the Board of the Employment Institute and their impact on employment. The Government is also requested to provide information on the activities of the tripartite council in the BD.