Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Luxembourg (Ratification: 2001)

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

Articles 1 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of education and training policies and programmes. National policy on vocational guidance and training throughout life. Collaboration with the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that, since June 2017, a framework Act on the Guidance House (Act of 22 June 2017 concerning the organization of the Guidance House), is in place, which establishes its functions and responsibilities as they apply to lifelong training. The Committee notes the measures taken by the Government to promote adults’ vocational retraining and reinsertion, particularly the services of the Guidance House adapted to target populations, such as young people up to 30 years who are transitioning to professional life. In this context, the Committee notes that the local offices for young persons under the National Service for Young Persons offer individual support and volunteering services which provide learning and guidance opportunities. The Government adds that the Office of Education for Foreign Children offers guidance tests and organizes insertion classes for young people up to 24 years who have recently arrived in the country. The Government also provides information on a series of initiatives, of the Service for Vocational Guidance under the National Employment Agency, for adults seeking information on the job market and on options for vocational retraining. The Government also indicates that the Guidance House works in close cooperation with other public and private partners that offer additional services for adults, and with professional associations and social impact businesses. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated information on the measures aimed at promoting vocational guidance and training, as well as on the impact of the framework Act concerning the Guidance House. It also requests the Government to provide updated statistical data, disaggregated by age and gender, on the impact of the measures taken to fine-tune comprehensive and coordinated policies and programmes on vocational guidance, education and training, and on training throughout life. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the social partners to ensure that they are involved in the formulation, implementation and periodic review of the human resources development policies and programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Articles 1 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of education and training policies. Collaboration with the social partners. The Committee notes the report received in September 2013 containing detailed information in reply to its previous direct request and also an illustrative annex of the activities of the vocational guidance service (OP). The Government indicates that a reform relating to the training of technicians in the administrative and commercial division came into force in 2012 and that, in previous years, various information, training and consultation activities have been continued. However, the Government points out that it is not yet possible to make an accurate assessment of the implementation of the vocational training reform. The Government indicates that between January 2011 and May 2012, ministries, professional chambers and the National Institute for the Development of Vocational Training held consultations with a view to formulating the “Lifelong Learning Luxembourg” strategy. The Government also indicates that each year the OP launches a vast campaign to seek to establish apprenticeship posts within enterprises, in close collaboration with the employers’ organizations. In 2012, more than 3,670 enterprises were contacted, thus providing detailed awareness of the short-term needs of the labour market. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on vocational training and the programmes implemented, and invites the Government to include information in its next report on the consultations held with the social partners with a view to securing their collaboration in the formulation and implementation of human resources development policies and programmes.

Articles 3 and 4. Vocational guidance and lifelong training. The Committee notes that the Vocational Guidance Centre, bringing together five specialist ministerial departments, was inaugurated in September 2012. The various services of this centre provide activities enabling any person, at any point in their lives, to identify their interests, capacities and competencies and to take informed decisions on study and training and on vocational redirection. The Government also indicates that the white paper entitled “National Lifelong Learning Strategy”, adopted in November 2012, has led to the formulation of a number of measures concerning lifelong vocational guidance, such as enhancing the professional dimension of the lifelong learning guidance mechanism and its adaptation to the life cycle of workers and the establishment of a lifelong learning advisory committee tasked with developing a plan of action. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the activities of the Vocational Guidance Centre and their impact on facilitating occupational retraining and the reintegration of workers into the labour market.

Article 3(2) and (3). Information for vocational guidance. The Government indicates that, in order to achieve a more active and regular presence of vocational guidance advisors in secondary schools and technical secondary schools, particularly at upper-secondary level, projects and guidance initiatives organized by the OP are taking place in many schools. In the context of these actions, pupils are given the opportunity to explore data relating to the world of work and to structure and accumulate related knowledge with a view to decision making and the subsequent realization of their occupational projects. The Committee again invites the Government to indicate, in its next report, how information is provided on general aspects of collective agreements and the rights and obligations under labour law of all parties concerned.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in a report received in November 2008 in reply to its previous direct request.

1. Article 1 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Government indicates in its report that several aspects of vocational training reforms have been in the experimental phase since the beginning of the 2008 school year. The main objectives of the reforms were to raise the quality of lifelong vocational training, improve access to training and provide the persons concerned with education and training, enabling them to integrate more easily into economic and social life. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of the measures adopted in the context of the vocational training reforms.

2. In its previous direct request, the Committee recalled the link existing between Conventions Nos 88 and 142 (ratified by Luxembourg) and Conventions Nos 122 and 181, with particular reference to the close links that should be established between vocational guidance, vocational training and employment through the public employment services. The Committee notes a communication from the Government received in November 2008, according to which the competent services of the Ministry of Labour and Employment are examining the possibility of ratifying Convention No. 122. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would report any action taken in relation to the possible ratification of Conventions Nos 122 and 181.

3. Articles 3 and 4. Vocational guidance and training throughout life. The Government indicates in its report that the reform of vocational training is leaning towards a global definition of the vocational training system based on the key concept of lifelong education and training. Accordingly, school and vocational guidance have also had to include the provision of high-quality guidance, information and advice throughout life. As from schooling, a portfolio of guidance has been established, allowing the persons concerned to manage their career tracks while receiving relevant information and guidance in the context of lifelong learning. In its report, the Government enumerates the national institutions and sectoral structures active in the field of adult education and training. It also reports a series of support measures for workers wishing to engage in training (training leave, youth leave). The Committee asks the Government to continue supplying information on the application of the new vocational guidance and lifelong training measures for children, young persons, adults and persons with disabilities, including measures to promote the vocational retraining and reintegration into the labour market of older workers.

4. Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. Information for vocational guidance. In reply to the previous direct request, the Government indicates that a plan of action will be drawn up by the bodies and services responsible for vocational information and guidance with a view to institutionalizing the regular presence of vocational guidance advisors in schools. The Committee invites the Government to describe the contents of the information and guidance provided by vocational guidance advisors and, in particular, to indicate how information is provided on general aspects of collective agreements and the rights and obligations of all concerned under labour law.

5. Article 5. Collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that the new vocational training system is based on a partnership between the State and professional chambers for the analysis and determination of training, guidance and information needs, the development and evaluation of training programmes, and the validation of acquired experience. The Committee notes with interest the biennial surveys undertaken by the Employers’ Federation (FEDIL) in partnership with the Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF) Lorraine, the Chamber of Commerce, the Employment Administration and the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, in the fields of industry, construction and public works, as well as information and communication technology. The results of these surveys will be published in brochures distributed to young persons, their parents, teachers, and school and vocational guidance services. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to ensure collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations and, as appropriate, other interested bodies, in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

1. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in December 2003 under article 19 of the Constitution on the position of national law and practice regarding the Convention. It asks the Government to provide, in a report on the application of the Convention under article 22 of the Constitution, additional information on the following points.

2. Article 1, paragraphs 1-4, of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government is adopting and developing comprehensive and coordinated vocational guidance and training policies and programmes. It asks the Government to provide further practical information on the implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes.

3. The Committee notes that the Employment Administration has signed an agreement with the Luxembourg Union of Temporary Employment Agencies in order to improve the job prospects of applicants for employment. The Government has declared its intention to consider ratifying the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181). The Committee recalls the link between Conventions Nos. 88 (ratified by Luxembourg), 122, 142 and 181, concerning measures, policies and programmes relating to employment, vocational training and placement in employment, and in particular the close link which should be established between vocational guidance, vocational training and employment through the public employment services. It would be grateful if the Government would report on any action contemplated to follow up the possible ratification by Luxembourg of Conventions Nos. 122 and 181.

4. Article 3, paragraph 1. The Committee notes that vocational guidance and ongoing information on employment are available to children, adolescents, adults and disabled persons. Please continue to provide information on any future extension of the vocational guidance system.

5. Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee notes that a number of structures are responsible for vocational information and guidance. It invites the Government to state the content of the information and guidance given through local action and by training advisers, bearing in mind this provision of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to indicate how information is provided on the general aspects of collective agreements and on the rights and obligations of all parties under labour legislation.

6. Article 4. The Committee notes the role assigned by national law and practice to occupational institutions and employment market monitoring bodies in the field of vocational training. It invites the Government to provide further practical information, particularly with regard to the impact of the observations of these institutions on developments in vocational training. In particular, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply further information on the biennial survey conducted in industry, particularly with regard to the following points: whether this same type of survey is undertaken in other branches of economic activity; whether the resulting forms of training are set up at the time or whether they already exist; and, finally, whether these training programmes are available to persons other than applicants for employment.