Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Lebanon (Ratification: 2000)

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Government indicates that, to respond to the Lebanese labour market’s need for specialized labour, and to provide young people with the necessary skills and qualifications to enable them to enter the labour market, the National Vocational Training Centre (NVTC) is providing accelerated vocational training, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers and the public bodies and departments concerned. The NVTC offers accelerated regular training at its main centre in Dekwaneh, organizing specialized training courses of 600 hours’ duration twice a year, in automobile mechanics, electronics, heating and cooling, computers and cosmetology. In addition, the NVTC provides accelerated intensive training courses at various locations throughout the country, particularly in remote areas, through three mobile training facilities, each of which are equipped to provide training to between 15 and 20 male and female trainees at a time in the following trades: electrical installations, radio maintenance, automobile mechanics, leather industries (shoemaking). The Government adds that, upon completion of the NVTC training course, the participants receive a certificate enabling them to enter the labour market directly. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government indicating that a total of 934 persons (481 females and 453 males) received vocational training through the NVTC from 2006 to 2016. It further notes that female participants were primarily trained in cosmetology and computers (479 out of the 481 women trained), while male participants received training in other specializations, such as electronics, heating and cooling, automobile mechanics and computer maintenance. In this context, the Committee recalls its 2002 comments on the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), in which it noted that job segregation between men and women persisted and invited the Government to consider the possibility of undertaking positive action programmes with the aim of correcting de facto inequalities in employment and occupation as well as training. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or contemplated to provide vocational guidance and training to young men and women on an equal basis, including guidance to enable them to develop and use their capabilities in accordance with their own aspirations, account being taken of the needs of society (Article 1(5)). It also requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the National Vocational Training Centre, including updated statistics regarding the impact of the activities of the centre in relation to accelerated vocational training and mobile training in remote communities.

Effective coordination. With regard to measures taken or envisaged to ensure effective coordination between programmes established by the NVTC and the National Employment Agency, the Government indicates that a committee has been established consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Labour, the Directorate-General for Vocational and Technical Education and the National Employment Office, which is tasked with developing standardized curricula appropriate to labour market needs. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information concerning the consultations within the committee established to develop standardized curricula appropriate to labour market needs, including information on the content of the curricula once it is available.

National Plan of Education for All. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the National Plan of Education for All (2006–15), which focussed on training for young persons, their integration into the labour market and the prevention of the social marginalization of school dropouts. Recalling the Committee’s 2015 comments under the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), requesting information concerning the National Plan of Education for All (2006–15), the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the education and training programmes implemented under the Plan and the results achieved during the period 2006–15. The Committee further requests the Government to indicate whether a new National Plan has been developed and, if so, to provide a copy.

Article 3(1). Information for vocational guidance. The Government indicates that no information is available in relation to the vocational guidance system in the country. The Committee trusts that the Government will soon be in a position to provide information on the measures adopted or envisaged to ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are made available to all persons concerned.

Article 4. Lifelong learning. The Government provides no information regarding the manner in which effect is given to this provision of the Convention. The Committee therefore reiterates its request that the Government communicate information on the measures taken or contemplated to establish, maintain and improve a coordinated system of lifelong education and training to meet the vocational training needs of both young persons and adults, in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention and the guidance provided in the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).