Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Czechia (Ratification: 1993)

Article 1(5) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s efforts in implementing various educational projects and activities. These initiatives include the successful completion of the Modernisation of Vocational Education (MVE) Project, with six partial objectives achieved in 43 education fields across 105 Secondary Vocational Education schools. The Government has also taken steps to enhance counselling and vocational guidance, exemplified by the Education Policy Strategy and the Support to Regional Action Planning project. Additionally, the Master Examination project seeks to improve further education and recognition of craftsmanship. The Long-term Plan for Education and Development of the Education System, in collaboration with employers and ministries, focuses on upgrading the education system, especially tertiary vocational education. Innovative teaching methods, like “Man and the Digital World” and “Education in Information and Communication Technologies,” have been introduced. The Framework Educational Programmes of Secondary Vocational Education (FEP SVE) was updated to better link with the National Register of Qualifications (NSK) and professional education, requiring educators to adapt their programs. Government Decrees were amended to provide certificates of apprenticeship and school-leaving examinations in complementary fields of secondary education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning and online counselling services were implemented to address school closures. Various career counselling measures and initiatives, such as Infoabsolvent.cz and the National Pedagogical Institute, have been put in place to support individuals throughout their education and training journey, with detailed information and statistics provided. Moreover, the Government has been actively supporting educational and career counsellors at primary and secondary schools, organizing educational events and training courses to improve their knowledge and performance in counselling. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information, including statistical information, on the impact of the above measures as well as of future measures related to vocational guidance and training, notably in the context of the major transformations occurring in labour markets and the world of work and the importance of human resources development policies to harness the benefits of these transformations and prevent detrimental employment outcomes through improved access to vocational guidance, education, training and lifelong learning.

Articles 1(5) and 3. Equality of opportunity. Extension of systems of vocational guidance to specific groups of workers. The Government refers to the implementation of the Upskilling project, focusing on the needs of priority groups, including early school leavers and those with low education levels. It also refers to a PIAAC survey for the period 2022–23, assessing the key skills of the adult population (16–65 years) in terms of employability. The Government also states its commitment to promoting equal opportunities in employment policy, adherence to non-discrimination laws and launching projects to eliminate prejudices in career decision-making for women, particularly in the engineering field. The National Register of Qualifications has modified professional qualifications to promote gender balance. Information materials and brochures have been created to inform career counsellors about opportunities for women in engineering. Regarding persons with disabilities, the Government refers to a project supporting their employment by providing counselling and developing cooperation between stakeholders. Set to end in January 2023, this project has already benefited a significant number of individuals. The Government has also developed retraining programs to help job seekers adapt to labor market requirements, with many participants successfully completing their training. The Committee welcomes the measures to encourage young women to engage in engineering and requests ongoing detailed information on efforts to promote women’s vocational skills across all sectors and equal access to vocational guidance and training for specific groups of workers facing employment challenges, including young individuals, persons with disabilities, rural workers, and those in the informal economy.

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government highlights cooperation with social partners, emphasizing the role of Advisory Councils in coordinating state policies and fostering collaboration between various educational institutions, labour offices, and employers. This cooperation between Advisory Councils, the Labour Office, public and private organizations allows shaping policies and strategies, including the Education Policy Strategy until 2030+ and retraining projects like “Increasing the quality and efficiency of the system of further education with employers (Kvasar).” Observing the crucial role of participatory policymaking and implementation in the area of human resources development, the Committee requests the Government to continue sharing information about collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other stakeholders in the development and execution of vocational guidance and training policies and programs, including the Long-term Plan for Education and Development of the Education System.