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Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Belarus (RATIFICATION: 1979)

Article 1(1) and (2) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in November 2013 in reply to its 2009 direct request. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Education has developed guiding principles for career guidance work with students which include practical recommendations on career guidance in general secondary, specialized vocational, intermediate-level vocational and higher education institutions for the 2012–13 academic year. The Ministry of Education, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, conducts regular seminars on a national scale addressing issues related to career guidance. Each year, the authorities prepare a list of jobs and specializations for which professional training is available for the unemployed, in line with the labour market situation in each region and staffing needs. The Committee notes that there are currently 77 vocational and professional training facilities in operation, in which professional training has been arranged for 24,216 students from the 10th and 11th grades, amounting to more than 20 per cent of all students in that age group. Vocational education institutions have the facilities to offer their students general secondary education as well as vocational education. It further notes that cooperation agreements are signed between education institutions and recruiting organizations which enable the vocational training system to react to structural changes in staffing needs. The Government indicates that 90 per cent of young workers in the vocational education system are being trained under a cooperation agreement. The Committee further notes from the report that, in 2012, 15,400 unemployed persons obtained training, out of which 3,400 lived in rural areas. The Government indicates that 73.9 per cent of those who have received training have found full-time employment. Vocational education institutions are paying particular attention to training the young unemployed. In 2012, young people in the 16–29 age group accounted for 12,900 participants of the total number of persons receiving training. The Committee invites the Government to continue to include information illustrating the way in which it ensures effective coordination between the implemented programmes of vocational guidance and training and employment. It also invites the Government to provide information on the impact of the training programmes available in promoting lasting employment to young persons and persons with disabilities.

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that in December 2012 the National Council for Labour and Social Issues considered the question of providing training for specialists and professionals, taking into account labour market needs. As a result of its discussions, a decision was taken to adopt pre-emptive measures to provide professional training and retraining for workers, including those at risk of being laid off, in order to prepare them for future employment. The Committee invites the Government to include further information on the involvement of the social partners in formulating and implementing policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training.