Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Lithuania (RATIFICATION: 1994)

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Articles 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Implementation of vocational education and training policies and programmes. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government refers to its National Education Strategy (2013–22) which defines vocational guidance as a strategic priority and to its Action Plan on Lifelong Learning Development 2017–20. The Government indicates that challenges faced by the career guidance system include the need for better access to quality vocational guidance services, developing the system of training and professional development of career counsellors, and ensuring quality and sustainable funding of vocational guidance services. The Committee notes the range of vocational guidance and training services provided to unemployed persons and employed individuals who wish to change jobs or develop their career, as well as the informal vocational training programs available. It also notes the range of general, occupational and psychological counselling services provided to those jobseekers registered with territorial labour exchange offices. The Government indicates that, from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, vocational information and guidance services were provided to 35,000 jobseekers. The Committee notes, with interest, the significant increase in the number of participants in vocational training from 8,697 persons in 2012 to 21,457 persons (both unemployed persons and individuals in employment seeking to change their qualification and job position) during the period from mid-2017 to mid-2018. The Committee notes that of this number, 44 per cent were women, 23 per cent were young persons under 25, 20 per cent were long-term unemployed persons and 3 per cent were persons with disabilities. The Government adds that, in 2017, 34,000 young persons participated in 7,889 vocational guidance events organized by Youth Job Centres. Regarding consultations with the social partners, the Government reiterates the information provided in its previous report and further indicates that the social partners are involved in the formulation of vocational training policy through the Sectorial Vocational Committees, advisory bodies responsible for coordinating strategic issues concerning the qualification, formation and vocational training related to particular economic sectors of activity. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the implementation and outcomes of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes, including information on the manner in which informal vocational training is recognized. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, indicating the average amount of time within which trainees secure employment after completion of the vocational guidance and training programmes, indicating the percentage of full-time and part-time guidance. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to address the challenges encountered in implementing the vocational guidance system. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures adopted to develop and promote lifelong learning. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed up-to-date information on the vocational guidance and training measures targeting specific categories of persons, particularly persons with disabilities and young persons. Moreover, the Committee requests the Government to provide specific information on measures taken to promote the cooperation and engagement of employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes. The Government is requested to communicate extracts from reports, studies and inquiries and statistical data relating to the application in practice of the provisions of the Convention (Part VI of the report form).

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Article 1(1) and (2) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of vocational education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the detailed report submitted by the Government in November 2013, which includes a description of vocational training programmes and policies adopted by the Government in coordination with economic agents and experts. The Government indicates that a total of 8,697 unemployed persons participated in vocational training programmes in 2012, out of which 8 per cent corresponds to long-term unemployed people and 0.9 per cent to persons with disabilities. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the impact of the policies and programmes of vocational education and training, indicating, in particular, the way in which such policies and programmes are linked with employment objectives and public employment services. Please also provide information on the measures adopted targeting vulnerable groups, such as the long-term unemployed.

Vocational guidance and vocational training. The Government indicates that vocational guidance as well as occupational counselling is offered to young people at youth employment centres. Persons under 21 years of age are encouraged to pursue primary vocational qualification by offering information and visits to vocational training centres. General vocational and counselling services are provided by territorial labour market offices individually or in groups. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the impact of its vocational guidance and vocational training system.

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes the collaboration of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training programmes through tripartite bodies, including tripartite commissions functioning on a voluntary basis at the Lithuanian Labour Exchange Office, territorial labour exchange offices and the Central Vocational Committee. The latter also provides for the participation of national education institutions and defines priority sectors for the creation of new qualifications so as to ensure that those qualifications take into account labour market needs. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the participation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

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Implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the comprehensive information provided in the Government’s report received in September 2008, including replies to the 2004 direct request. The Government reports that new provisions were incorporated into the law on vocational training which came into force in 2008. These new provisions change the concept of vocational training, contributing to the implementation of lifelong learning, and ensuring compliance of qualifications with labour market needs and involvement of the social partners in the management of vocational training. They also establish the Lithuanian Vocational Training Council as an advisory board for consideration of strategic vocational training issues. The Committee also notes that nearly 30,000 persons undergo training in training centres every year, of which about 14,000 are unemployed. Territorial services provide vocational information and counselling for adults, vocational and psychological counselling, elaborate programmes for integration of workers into the labour market, career planning, social adaptation, and vocational and personal development. In 2007, 12 labour market informal vocational training programmes were conducted for older workers. The Government also reported on several vocational programmes and measures targeting women offenders, women aged 55 and older, women returning from a career break and young mothers. The Committee would like to continue to receive information on the vocational training and programmes executed by the training centres and territorial services, and invites the Government to provide in its next report further information on the effective coordination established between the measures implemented by the Vocational Training Council and public employment service (Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention). The Committee also asks the Government to indicate the measures taken with a view to encouraging and enabling women and other vulnerable categories of workers to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1, paragraph 5).

Article 2. Education, training and lifelong learning. The Government additionally reports that it elaborated upon and applied more than 50 active job search and occupational skills development programmes. These programmes are divided into groups by the following counselling objectives: professional and self-determination training; development of capacities and skills in order to successfully compete in the labour market; and development of self-awareness, confidence in own capacities and opportunities in the labour market. The Committee invites the Government to supply further information in its next report on the impact of these new programmes on the establishment of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training. The Government reports that it trained 295,600 pupils of 11–16 years of age in 2005, and that this number decreased to 281,000 in 2006, and to 264,100 in 2007. The Government also reports that the number of students trained in higher education rose from 193,900 in 2005 to 195,600 in 2006, and to 200,500 in 2007, of which 80,500 were men and 120,000 were women. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information, disaggregated by gender and age, concerning education, training and lifelong learning.

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1. In relation to its 2000 direct request, the Committee notes the detailed information contained in the Government’s report received in September 2002. It notes that the Lithuanian Labour Market Training Authority, under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, is engaged in the methodic regulation and coordination, supervision and control of the labour market vocational education, training, guidance and counselling, through six territorial market training services and 15 territorial centres. Involvement of social partners in vocational training is undertaken at national, regional and institutional levels in particular by their participation in the Vocational Education and Training Council of Lithuania. The Committee wishes to receive in the Government’s next report updated information on the measures taken, in cooperation with the social partners, to adopt and develop comprehensive and coordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training, closely linked with employment, in particular through public employment services (Articles 1 and 5 of the Convention). Please also report on the services provided by the territorial centres on employment information as requested by Article 3 of the Convention.

2. 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 and Training Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195)).

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s detailed report, particularly in response to previous comments. It would appreciate receiving further information on the following points.

Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention.  The Committee notes the Government’s statement that coordination between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour is not well enough developed. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of progress made in improving coordination.

Article 3, paragraph 1.  Please clarify whether vocational guidance includes information on labour legislation.

Article 5.  The Committee notes that the evaluation of the VET system supplied with the Government’s report concluded that the Government should more actively seek the participation of the social partners. Please provide further information on strategies being pursued to increase involvement of the social partners.

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The Committee notes with interest the Government's first two reports on the application of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information on the following points in its next report to enable greater appreciation of the effect given to all of the provisions of the Convention.

Article 1, paragraphs 1 to 4, of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the provisions of Act No. VIII-450 of 14 October 1997 respecting vocational education and training. The Committee also notes the provisions of Act No. I-1489 of 25 June 1991 respecting education, which provides for coordination between general education and vocational education. The Committee requests the Government to specify the manner in which coordination between the vocational training activities, which are the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and vocational training activities, which are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, is ensured.

Article 3, paragraph 1. The Committee notes the description of the vocational guidance activities undertaken by the Labour Market Training Authority. Please also provide information with regard to the provisions taken to ensure vocational guidance for children and young persons in schools.

Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. Please describe the type of information available in respect of vocational guidance and provide copies of available documentation. Please indicate the manner in which information on labour legislation and the general aspects of collective agreements are also made available to those concerned, taking into consideration the respective functions and tasks of workers' and employers' organizations in this respect.

Article 4. The Committee notes the information in respect of the systems and scope of vocational training activities of the employment service in 1996 and 1997. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the measures undertaken with a view to extending, adapting, and standardizing the various systems of initial and continued vocational training.

Article 5. The Committee notes that the Act of 1997 respecting education and vocational training establishes a Tripartite Consultative Council on education and vocational training. Please provide information on the Committee's activities, specifying the frequency of its meetings, the matters entrusted to it, the opinions expressed and the manner in which they are taken into account.

Part VI of the report form. Please continue to forward extracts of reports, studies and enquiries, or statistical data which will enable an appreciation of the practical application of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]