Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Central African Republic (RATIFICATION: 2006)

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Article 1(1) to (4) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government refers to significant progress in the progressive search for technical and financial partners, on the one hand, for the establishment of the National Labour Market Observatory and the National Employment Promotion and Vocational Training Fund and, on the other, for the implementation of the Operational Plan of Action (OPA) of the National Employment and Vocational Training Policy (PNEFP). The Government also refers to the proactive action taken within the framework of the first, second and third pillars of the National Plan for Recovery and Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic (RCPCA) for the implementation of the education and training policies envisaged in the Convention. It reiterates that the OPA and the PNEFP, in components 1 and 2, place special emphasis on the promotion of human resources and employment with a view to reducing economic and social vulnerability as a means of facilitating the socio-economic integration of social groups. The Government indicates that, in relation to human resources development, an urgent national programme for the creation of immediate and sustainable decent employment and the consolidation of peace and resilience was developed in collaboration with the ILO for the period 2017–21. While recognizing the complexity of the situation in the country, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide more detailed information in its next report, including statistics disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of the measures implemented within the framework of the education and training programmes referred to above, including apprenticeship. It also once again requests the Government to indicate the manner in which close links are ensured between, on the one hand, the training programmes of the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) and the measures taken in the context of the National Plan for Recovery and Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic (RCPCA) and, on the other, employment and employment services, as envisaged in Article 1(1) of the Convention.

Article 2. Vocational education and training systems. The Government indicates that, within the context of the implementation of the RCPCA, the Government and technical and financial partners, such as the European Union and the BÊKOU Fund, signed an indicative cooperation programme in July 2017, the priorities of which focus on education and vocational and technical training. It adds that, in the context of the second pillar of the RCPCA, a framework document on the national strategy for technical education and vocational training was prepared in 2018 with the technical and financial support of the French Development Agency (AFD), setting out the strategic objectives and fundamental components of technical education and vocational training. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the implementation of the programme and framework document referred to above on the formulation of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, school and vocational guidance and vocational training systems. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on any developments in relation to the national strategy for the reform of the vocational training system and to provide a copy once it has been adopted.

Article 3. Information for vocational guidance. The Government indicates that, within the context of the implementation of the pillars of the RCPCA and the strategic priorities of the OPA, the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) has signed a partnership agreement with the BÊKOU Fund for the development of action to promote decent employment and training programmes for persons in vulnerable social groups, such as young persons without work and persons with disabilities, based on a catalogue of training in subjects that correspond to the real needs of enterprises, as well as other initiatives for the creation of self-employment. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide a copy of the National Employment and Vocational Training Policy (PNEFP), as well as detailed information on the content and impact on employment of the specific programmes and activities envisaged in the partnership agreement signed with the BÊKOU Fund. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the catalogue of training referred to above and to indicate in detail the impact of the specific activities undertaken within the framework of OPA on the access to employment of persons in vulnerable situations, such as women, older persons, young persons and persons with disabilities. In this respect, it requests the Government to describe the manner in which the available information for vocational guidance is kept updated and adapted to the changing needs of the labour market.

Article 4. Lifelong training. The Government indicates that the objective of the peacebuilding and decent employment creation programme implemented by the ILO in the country during the period 2017–21 is to develop a policy for the promotion of decent employment for young persons without work in the Central African Republic so as to enable them to participate in stabilizing and improving the security of the country. The Government adds that the programme is based on three components, the first of which is designed to create decent jobs immediately and is based on the launching of labour-intensive works for the construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure throughout the country with a view to providing opportunities for young persons to enter the labour market. The second component includes the strengthening of technical and vocation skills through training and skills certification for young persons in agriculture, stock-rearing and forestry. The third component addresses the issue of the governance of the labour market through the promotion of social dialogue and sincere collaboration between the Government and the social partners. The Government specifies that other action is envisaged in the project document to build the capacities of all the actors involved, and to develop an all-out labour market information system. The Committee requests the Government to describe the achievements of the peacebuilding and decent employment creation programme launched with the ILO, and to provide relevant statistics. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on the labour market information system. The Committee also once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted with a view to extending vocational training systems to economic sectors that are not yet covered, such as the informal economy, and to ensure that these systems remain adapted to the changing needs of individuals throughout their active lives, and to the needs of the various branches of the economy, in accordance with the Convention and the guidance provided in the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government reports the participation of the social partners at all stages of the formulation of the PNEFP through official invitations sent to workers’ and employers’ organizations and the representatives of the sectoral departments involved and interested in this issue in order to gather their views on the situation of workers in rural areas and actors in the informal economy. The Government adds that the social partners were consulted regularly in advance and were invited to the national workshop to validate the strategy document on technical education and vocational training in January 2019, which was organized jointly with the AFD within the framework of a public–private partnership, in the presence of those responsible for vocational training centres in the Central African Republic. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the impact of the involvement of the social partners in the process of the formulation and adoption of the documents referred to above through the consultation mechanisms established.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Government reiterates its intention to have recourse to ILO technical assistance to conduct surveys and studies relating to the application of the Convention. Taking into account the Government’s stated intention to have recourse to ILO technical assistance in this regard, the Committee hopes that this assistance will be provided in the near future. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to communicate extracts of reports, studies or surveys, statistical data, etc., regarding ongoing vocational guidance and training policies and programmes.

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Article 1(1)–(4) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP2) was revised in response to the crisis that the country has been experiencing since 2013. The Government has developed a National Plan for Recovery and Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic (RCPCA) 2017–21 to replace the PRSP2. The RCPCA retains a number of the objectives set out in the PRSP2. The Government reports that the RCPCA is made up of three pillars. The first pillar seeks to restore peace and security and achieve reconciliation, while the second pillar aims to renew the social contract between the State and the population, by strengthening its presence and developing its capacity to provide basic social services such as education, health care, water and sanitation. In this regard, the Committee notes that poverty is endemic in the country and the majority of the population does not have access to basic services. The third pillar aims to promote economic revival and stimulate the productive sectors in order to quickly provide the public with employment activities and opportunities in these sectors. This pillar also provides for a national system to align training with the labour market. Taking into account the fact that the crisis in the country has considerably exacerbated problems in the education sector, the RCPCA provides for more technical and professional training (ETFP). The Government indicates that the steps taken to encourage and assist the population to develop and apply their professional skills are set out in the 2016 National Employment and Vocational Training Policy Framework Document (PNEFP), developed with the assistance of the International Labour Office. Targets 1 and 2 of the PNEFP operational action plan place special emphasis on the promotion of human resources and employment in order to reduce economic and social vulnerability and facilitate sustainable socio-economic integration. The Government reports that it focuses particularly on the development of sectoral policies in accordance with the needs expressed in different sectors offering employment, such as the public, semi public, informal, agricultural, mining, forestry, infrastructure and industrial sectors. The Government also indicates that the European Union and the Bêkou Trust Fund signed an indicative cooperation programme with the Central African Republic in July 2017, the priorities of which revolve around education, vocational and technical training and support for groups of manufacturers and artisans. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation on the ground, the Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report more detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of the measures implemented in the context of the aforementioned programmes with regard to education and training, including apprenticeships. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on the functioning and impact of the national system to align training with the labour market set out in the RCPCA. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the specific actions implemented within the framework of the PNEFP operational action plan to assist individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, such as young persons and persons with disabilities. The Committee once again requests the Government to indicate how a close link is ensured between, on the one hand, the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) training programmes and the measures taken as part of the RCPCA and, on the other hand, employment and employment services.

Article 2. Vocational education and training systems. The Government indicates that improving the employability of the workforce is one of its priorities as there is a discrepancy between the supply of and demand for employment as a result of insufficient experience and professional skills. The PNEFP and its operational action plan are therefore focusing on aligning training with employment through thorough planning of available training and earmarking of resources for the funding of targeted training. Technical training with the potential to support industrial, mining and rural development is therefore included in the operational action plan. The Government adds that, with a view to increasing and improving the quality and diversity of the training on offer, the PNEFP plans, inter alia, to diversify the training methods and courses; reduce imbalances in accessibility (in terms of geography, gender and specific groups) through reform initiatives, rationalization and restructuring; improve the quality of training by modernizing infrastructure and teaching materials, increasing the qualifications of teachers in skills development centres and improving their ability to respond immediately to labour market cues by making rapid changes to the scope and content of the training. The Government reports that it is in the process of adopting a national strategy to restructure the vocational training system that is geared to the needs of the labour market, with the support of the French Development Agency, and it will provide the Committee with information on the progress made. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the impact of the aforementioned measures on the development of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any developments regarding the national strategy to restructure the vocational training system and to provide a copy when it is adopted.

Article 3. Information for vocational guidance purposes. The Government indicates that the PNEFP takes into account the need to provide information regarding vocational guidance to the public, particularly to vulnerable persons. The Committee requests the Government to send a copy of the PNEFP and to provide detailed information on the specific programmes and activities included in that document with a view to ensuring the provision of comprehensive information and the most extensive guidance possible, including through programmes suitable for persons with disabilities. The Committee also requests the Government to describe the type of information available for the purposes of professional guidance and how this information is updated and to provide examples of the available documentation.

Article 4. Lifelong training. The Government indicates that the PNEFP aims to align training and employment; improve the productivity and competitiveness of businesses and services; improve the skills of workers and productive sectors; meet labour market requirements for a qualified workforce; facilitate the integration into employment of workers in rural and urban areas; ensure lifelong training for the community; and consolidate and develop vocational training through apprenticeships. The Government adds that, as part of the implementation of the PNEFP, on 2 March 2018 the ACFPE launched a skills based apprenticeship programme with block release, supported by the French Development Agency. The Government reports that the pilot project includes training for 300 young people in the Bangui region and the surrounding areas in ten trades in which there is a demand for workers. This project will be extended throughout the national territory. With regard to human resource development, the Government indicates that, in February 2018, it launched a peacebuilding and decent work programme with the ILO. The Government adds that the implementation of this programme will reduce the deficit of technical and professional skills. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the results of the peacebuilding and decent work programme launched with the ILO. Furthermore, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to extend vocational training systems to cover fields of economic activity not previously within their scope, such as the informal economy, and to ensure that they are adapted to the changing needs of individuals throughout their working life, and also to those of the different branches of economic activity, in accordance with this provision of the Convention and the guidelines contained in the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that cooperation with the social partners takes place at different levels. Thus, the social partners are effectively involved in the development of policies, programmes and projects in the areas of work, employment and social protection, and in the project of the PNEFP operational action plan. In this context, the strengthening of the capacities of the social partners was provided for in the Decent Work Country Programme (PPTD-RCA), which was officially signed on 1 February 2018. The Government adds that, in the context of restructuring technical education and vocational training, a public–private partnership is envisaged in collaboration with the French Development Agency. The Government specifies that this partnership will involve the effective engagement of the social partners. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide more detailed information regarding the formal procedures or consultative mechanisms established to facilitate the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and, as appropriate, other interested bodies concerned with the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes.

Application in practice of the Convention. The Government indicates that it will request the financial and technical assistance of the ILO to conduct surveys and collect data on the application of the Convention. Taking into account the Government’s stated intention to avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office in this regard, the Committee hopes that this assistance can be provided in the near future. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to communicate extracts of reports, studies or surveys, statistical data, etc., regarding ongoing vocational guidance and training programmes.

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Article 1 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in June 2013, which refers to the “Forum on decent work, employment and vocational training”, held in December 2011. With regard to the direct request of 2011, the Government confirms that the analysis of enterprises to identify training and employment needs is conducted by the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE). The Committee notes that the recommendations of the December 2011 forum include: strengthening the institutional and legal framework designed to govern the vocational training system; rehabilitating existing centres and establishments; increasing the admission capacity of training establishments; developing training through apprenticeships in order to absorb the substantial numbers of young people dropping out of school; establishing an engineering system for initial and further training which meets the needs of the sectors; and training persons in the informal sector with regard to a transition towards the formal sector. Moreover, the Committee notes that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP2) 2011–15 refers, in relation to issues concerning human capital, to the dual employment market and the mismatch between the production in human capital and the needs of the economy. The PRSP2 refers to the need to increase opportunities for employment and occupational integration in order to tackle poverty. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of measures implemented in the context of the poverty reduction strategy and the follow-up to the abovementioned forum on education and training (Article 1(1–4) of the Convention). It again invites the Government to indicate how a close link is ensured between, on the one hand, the ACFPE training programmes and the measures taken as part of the poverty reduction strategy and, on the other hand, employment and the employment services (Article 1(1–4) of the Convention).

Article 2. Vocational education and training systems. The Government indicates that a national team responsible for the development of training techniques has been established, with assistance from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. The Committee also notes that, according to the PRSP2, the technical and vocational education strategy comprises short-term development focusing on the reinforcement of guidance services; rehabilitation, construction, and equipment of training centres; provision of specific teaching materials to these centres; and the retraining, training and recruitment of trainers and their supervisors. The Committee invites the Government to supply detailed information in its next report on the progress made regarding the development of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training.

Article 3. Information for vocational guidance purposes. The Committee refers to the recommendations made in December 2011 in the context of the forum and invites the Government to supply information in its next report on the measures taken to ensure the provision of comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance for children, young persons and adults and, through appropriate measures, for persons with disabilities (Article 3(1)). The Government is also requested to describe the type of information available for vocational guidance purposes and the way in which this information is kept up to date, and to supply copies of the available documentation (Article 3(2) and (3)).

Article 4. Lifelong training. The Committee invites the Government to supply information on the measures taken to extend vocational training systems to cover fields of economic activity not previously within their scope, such as the informal economy, and to ensure that they are adapted to the changing needs of individuals throughout their life, and also to those of the different branches of economic activity, in accordance with this provision of the Convention and the guidelines contained in Recommendation No. 195.

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that the recommendations made at the forum in 2011 included that of developing a close partnership with the various professional associations and federations with a view to a joint definition of their human resources needs. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report the formal procedures or consultative machinery established to facilitate the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and, as appropriate, other interested bodies concerned with the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes.

Part VI of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee invites the Government to supply extracts from reports, studies and inquiries, statistical data, etc., relating to vocational guidance and training policies and programmes that are being implemented.

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Article 1 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in June 2011. The Government indicates that coordination of national policy for employment and vocational training is the responsibility of the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE), which conducts analysis in enterprises in order to identify training and employment needs. The ACFPE draws up the training programme on the basis of the requirements indicated by the enterprises. The Government also indicates its awareness of the need to take steps to encourage and assist all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations. It indicates that a project is under way and that the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) takes account of the strengthening of this component. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the results of the ACFPE training programmes. It again invites the Government to indicate how a close link is ensured between, on the one hand, the ACFPE training programmes and the measures taken as part of the poverty reduction strategy and, on the other hand, employment and the employment services (Article 1(1–4) of the Convention). Please also provide information on the operation and impact of measures being implemented and all progress achieved.

Article 2. The Government refers in its report to the assistance from the Organisation internationale de la francophonie. It indicates that a national team responsible for the development of training techniques has been established. A number of workshops have also been held on this subject. The Committee invites the Government to supply information in its next report on the results of the work of the national team responsible for the development of training techniques, indicating to what extent this work has contributed to the establishment and development of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training.

Article 3. Information for vocational guidance purposes. The Committee notes that the Government is awaiting the results of the work of the Employment and Training Forum to take steps to extend its systems of vocational guidance and ongoing information on employment. The Committee invites the Government to supply detailed information in its next report on the specific measures taken to ensure the provision of comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance, especially for children and young people and, through appropriate measures, for persons with disabilities. Please also describe the type of information available for vocational guidance purposes and the way in which this information is kept up to date, and to supply copies of the available documentation.

Article 4. Lifelong training. The Committee notes that apprenticeships and work–study programmes are the means referred to by the Government to ensure the adaptation and harmonization of vocational training to the changing needs of individuals and of the economy and the various branches of economic activity. The Committee invites the Government to supply information in its next report on the other measures taken to establish, maintain and constantly improve a coordinated system of lifelong education and training in accordance with this provision of Convention No. 142 and the guidelines contained in Recommendation No. 195.

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government recalls that studies are under way to establish a system for cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other bodies involved in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes. The Committee invites the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure the collaboration of employers and workers and, if applicable, other bodies concerned in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes.

Part VI of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee invites the Government to supply extracts from reports, studies and surveys, statistics, etc., relating to vocational guidance and training policies and programmes that are in progress.

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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in 2009 with a view to preparing the General Survey of 2010 on employment instruments. As stated in the General Survey, in the context of Convention No. 142, member States increasingly recognize the interdependence between the realization of the right to work and the right to education for all and, consequently, governments and the social partners have agreed to make lifelong skills development an essential component of national employment policies and development strategies (paragraph 789). The Committee invites the Government to refer to the 2010 General Survey and requests it to provide information in its next report on the following points which were also raised in the direct request of 2008.

Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee previously noted that a national policy for employment and vocational training was due to be determined and adopted further to the work of a tripartite committee by the end of 2009. It also noted a progress report on the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of May 2009 (report No. 48514-CF) which mentions the projects submitted by the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) in the context of the PRSP. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be able to provide information on the results of the training programmes of the ACFPE. It requests the Government to indicate how a close link is ensured between, on the one hand, the ACFPE training programmes and the measures taken as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and, on the other hand, employment and employment services (Article 1(1)–(4) of the Convention). It requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1(5)).

Article 2 of the Convention. In its direct request of 2008, the Committee noted the establishment of a national team entrusted with the formulation of training techniques. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken to establish and develop open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training.

Information for the purposes of vocational guidance. The Government previously indicated that the results of the work of the Employment and Training Forum were awaited in order to be able to take measures to extend ongoing vocational guidance and employment information systems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are available to all children, young persons and adults, including appropriate programmes for persons with disabilities (Article 3(1)). Please also describe the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes and the manner in which this information is kept up to date, and provide examples of the available documentation (Article 3(2) and (3)).

Article 4. Lifeline training. The Government indicates that the vast majority of young persons work in the informal economy, that their competencies are neither taken into consideration nor validated, and that it plans to organize competency tests which will be recognized by a special diploma. The Government also indicates that the various institutions responsible for vocational training, further training and retraining are affected by the problem of lack of coordination, which is having a major impact on matching supply with demand for skills, and for improving the quality and relevance of training. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to extend vocational training systems in such a way as to cover the sectors of economic activity which still do not have them, such as the informal economy, and to ensure that these systems continue to adapt to changes in the requirements of individuals throughout their working life, and with those which take place in the various branches of economic activity, in accordance with this Article of Convention No. 142 and the guidance given by Recommendation No. 195.

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government previously indicated that studies were being conducted to determine the system for cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other bodies concerned in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures actually taken to ensure the cooperation of employers and workers and, where applicable, other bodies concerned, in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

Application in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide extracts of reports, studies and inquiries, statistical data, etc., relating to current policies and programme of vocational guidance and training (Part VI of the report form).

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in June 2008. The Government indicates, among other matters, that the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) formulates training programmes as a function of previously identified enterprise needs. It adds that a project has been launched to encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations. Furthermore, according to the Government, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) has taken into account the strengthening of this area. The Committee refers to its direct request on the application of Convention No. 122 and requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the ACFPE’s training programmes and the measures adopted in the context of the Poverty Reduction Strategy are related to employment and employment services (Article 1(1–4)). It requests the Government to indicate the measures taken in practice with a view to encouraging and enabling all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1(5)).

2. Article 2. The Government’s report indicates that a national team entrusted with the formulation of training techniques has been established and that its work is now under way. Furthermore, several workshops have been held on this subject. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results of the work of the national team entrusted with formulating training techniques, with an indication of the extent to which this work has contributed to the establishment and development of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training.

3. Information for the purposes of vocational guidance. The Government indicates that it is awaiting the results of the Employment and Training Forum to take measures with a view to extending its continuous vocational guidance and employment information systems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the tangible measures that have been taken with a view to providing comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance, particularly to children and young persons and, through appropriate measures, to persons with disabilities (Article 3(1)). Please also describe the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes and the manner in which this information is kept up to date, and provide copies of the available documentation (Article 3(2) and (3)).

4. Article 4. Lifelong training. The Committee notes that apprenticeships and the dual system of training combined with work are currently the means referred to with a view to adapting and harmonizing vocational training with the changing needs of individuals, as well as those of the economy and of the different branches of economic activity. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the other measures adopted to establish, maintain and continually improve a coordinated system of education and training throughout life within the meaning of this provision of Convention No. 142 and the guidance contained in Recommendation No. 195.

5. Article 5. Collaboration of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that studies are currently being conducted to determine the system for collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to ensure the collaboration of employers and workers and, where applicable, other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

6. Application in practice. The Committee invites the Government to provide extracts of reports, studies and inquiries, statistical data, etc., on current policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training (Part VI of the report form).

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1. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in June 2008. The Government indicates, among other matters, that the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE) formulates training programmes as a function of previously identified enterprise needs. It adds that a project has been launched to encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations. Furthermore, according to the Government, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) has taken into account the strengthening of this area. The Committee refers to its direct request on the application of Convention No. 122 and requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the ACFPE’s training programmes and the measures adopted in the context of the Poverty Reduction Strategy are related to employment and employment services (Article 1, paragraphs 1 to 4). It requests the Government to indicate the measures taken in practice with a view to encouraging and enabling all persons, on an equal basis and without any discrimination whatsoever, to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1, paragraph 5).

2. Article 2. The Government’s report indicates that a national team entrusted with the formulation of training techniques has been established and that its work is now under way. Furthermore, several workshops have been held on this subject. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results of the work of the national team entrusted with formulating training techniques, with an indication of the extent to which this work has contributed to the establishment and development of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training.

3. Information for the purposes of vocational guidance. The Government indicates that it is awaiting the results of the Employment and Training Forum to take measures with a view to extending its continuous vocational guidance and employment information systems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the tangible measures that have been taken with a view to providing comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance, particularly to children and young persons and, through appropriate measures, to persons with disabilities (Article 3, paragraph 1). Please also describe the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes and the manner in which this information is kept up to date, and provide copies of the available documentation (Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3).

4. Article 4. Lifelong training. The Committee notes that apprenticeships and the dual system of training combined with work are currently the means referred to with a view to adapting and harmonizing vocational training with the changing needs of individuals, as well as those of the economy and of the different branches of economic activity. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the other measures adopted to establish, maintain and continually improve a coordinated system of education and training throughout life within the meaning of this provision of Convention No. 142 and the guidance contained in Recommendation No. 195.

5. Article 5. Collaboration of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that studies are currently being conducted to determine the system for collaboration with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to ensure the collaboration of employers and workers and, where applicable, other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

6. Application in practice. The Committee invites the Government to provide extracts of reports, studies and inquiries, statistical data, etc., on current policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training (Part VI of the report form).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2009.]