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Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Republic of Moldova (RATIFICATION: 2001)

Articles 1(1) and (2) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Government reports that vocational guidance and training services provided by the National Employment Agency (NEA) through its territorial agencies, are aimed at jobseekers, persons seeking to change their career path, young persons and students at the end of their schooling. The Committee notes that, in the framework of the Austrian Development Agency–funded Reconceptualization of Professional Orientation and Career Counselling (REVOCC) project, three career guidance centres (CGCs) were created in 2016 in the three regions of the country. The CGCs provide free vocational guidance and career planning services, and link the educational system to the labour market. Vocational guidance is provided by specialists within the NEA and the CGCs and include a range of activities, including training, seminars on labour market evolution and educational opportunities through national institutions. The Committee notes that, according to the European Training Foundation report on Youth Transition to Work in Moldova, almost 90 per cent of graduates of the NEA’s vocational training programmes secured employment after completing training. In the first semester of 2018, 2,153 unemployed persons received vocational guidance thorough the NEA (45.4 per cent women). At the same time, 2,153 jobseekers received vocational guidance through the CGCs. In respect of vocational training, the Government reports that the Government contracted 15 educational institutions to provide vocational training to unemployed persons. In the first semester of 2018, 1,180 persons graduated from such training courses: (66.3 per cent were young persons aged 16–29); 69.1 per cent were women; 59.5 per cent resided in rural areas; and 2.8 per cent were persons with disabilities. The Government indicates that 95.6 per cent of these graduations (1,180 persons) were placed in employment. The Committee notes the extension to 30 November 2021 of the REVOCC project, which will continue to provide vocational guidance to young persons. The Committee also notes the adoption of Law No. 105 of 14 June 2018 on the Promotion of Employment and Unemployment Insurance, which entered into force on 10 February 2019. The Law sets out a number of new active employment measures, including provision of workplace training for unemployed persons and certification of skills acquired in the context of both non-formal and informal education. The Committee welcomes the information received and invites the Government to continue providing updated information on the design and implementation of education and training policies and programmes, closely linked with employment needs, including programmes aimed at specific groups, such as young persons, women and persons with disabilities. In addition, the Committee invites the Government to provide disaggregated statistical data on the number of vocational guidance and training graduates accessing employment following completion of the training programs.

Article 3(2). Vocational guidance for young persons. The Committee notes the launch in 2017, with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), of two platforms aimed at helping young persons to make informed decisions about their future career paths and promote career opportunities on the labour market. The Committee also notes a number of measures taken in 2018 in relation to dual education, including the adoption of a Regulation on the Organization of Technical Training Programmes through dual education, the launch of a campaign to promote dual education, “Learning, Working Earning” and the approval of a Framework Plan for dual professional technical education. In addition, the Committee notes that higher education in the Republic of Moldova has acceded to the Bologna Process, whose aim is to ensure compatibility in standards and quality of higher education qualifications. The Committee invites the Government to provide up-to-date information on the implementation of the two different platforms, and their impact on vocational guidance and training of young persons, as well as on their access to lasting employment. The Committee also invites the Government to continue to provide detailed information about the regulation and modernization of higher education programmes.

Article 4. Vocational guidance and training and lifelong learning. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information regarding the Strategy for the Development of Vocational/Technical Education 2013–20 and its accompanying action plan. The Government indicates that the main objective of the Strategy is the modernization and optimization of professional technical education to enhance the competitiveness of the national economy. To ensure quality instruction, the Government has continued the reconstruction of eight centres of excellence and is in the process of modernizing curricula for about 30 occupations. The Government notes the adoption of Order No. 1127 of 23 July 2018, which established a new mechanism to assess the competencies of graduates of vocational training. In addition, the Committee notes the adoption of the Regulation on the continuous training of adults, approved through Government decision No. 193 of 24 March 2017, which aims to regulate and develop the regulatory framework for adult education. The Government reports that there have so far been 152 accredited continuous professional development programmes. The Committee welcomes the information received and invites the Government to provide updated information on the development and implementation of measures in relation to vocational training and lifelong learning and their impact on access to quality lifelong learning.

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Order No. 1127 of 23 July 2018 places increased emphasis on the presence of the representatives of the labour market. In addition, the Government reports that employers and trade unions, as well as other actors, participate actively in developing normative acts in the sphere of higher education, such as the National Framework of Qualifications. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional detailed information on the steps taken, in the framework of the National Council, to promote cooperation with the social partners in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.