Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - New Caledonia

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

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Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Comprehensive and co-ordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. Lifelong training. The Committee notes the transmission by the Government of the 2019 and 2020 reports of the Training Insurance Fund (FIAF), as well as the impact study on the FIAF programming action (2017–19) updated in March 2021. In particular, it notes with interest the adoption by the Government of several texts promoting the application of the Convention that fall under the Employment and Vocational Integration Strategy developed for the period 2016–20, including territorial Act No. 2018-20 of 2 October 2018 on the governance of the employment, integration, training and vocational guidance sector and territorial Act No. 2018-21 of 2 October 2018 on the dual vocational training system, which aims to simplify the administrative procedures for employers in order to promote the recruitment of an employee undertaking dual work-study vocational training. In this context, the Government reports the establishment of six accredited dual training centres, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Association for Professional Integration and Development (GIEP), which provide joint and streamlined management of training and integration actions. In this regard, the Committee notes the comments of the Council for Social Dialogue (CDS), which indicate that joint bodies such as the New Caledonian Skills Development Institute, the Territorial Adult Vocational Training Establishment, and the Maritime Trade School were dissolved and pooled within the GIEP, at the initiative of the Government and in order to establish efficient governance and allow for improved presence of provincial representations. However, it must be noted that, despite the major reform, this shortcoming of provincial representation has not been completely remedied. The CDS adds that the composition of the previous governance bodies respected the principle of parity, however, now there is only one organization from each group on the GIEP Governing Board. With regard to vocational training, the Government reports on the measures taken within the framework of FIAF, in particular the financing of training plans for the employees of enterprises, and the provision of support and planning, which are accompanied by complementary actions such as the fight against illiteracy. Within the framework of continuous training, the Government reports the training of 1,672 employees in various sectors of activity within 558 companies. It also indicates that the training offers have made it possible to reach enterprises in sectors that usually engage in lower levels of training, such as the transport and storage sector. The Committee notes, however, that these training activities are marked by the under-representation of enterprises with fewer than 10 employees, which are concentrated in the capital city, with only 7 per cent of activities decentralized in the North Province and none in the Loyalty Islands Province. Regarding the achievement of strategic objectives in the area of continuing education, the Government indicates that, within the framework of the Employment and Vocational Integration Strategy 2016–2020 (SEIP-NC), each local authority, particularly at the provincial level, is implementing a continuing education programme to meet the specific needs of the local population. The Government adds, however, that a decrease in staffing levels due to budgetary restrictions has led to the departure of nearly one third of the training staff since 2017. With regard to the training of the population, the Government indicates that the overall population in training is made up predominantly of women who have no qualifications and have an education level lower than the vocational skills certificate (CAP) or the diploma of occupational studies (BEP). With respect to trainees, the Government reports success rates (61 per cent in the North Province and 71 per cent in New Caledonia), attrition or dropout rates (29 per cent in the Loyalty Islands Province and 3.7 per cent in the North Province) and integration rates (33 per cent in New Caledonia, 16.1 per cent in the North Province and 2 per cent in the Loyalty Islands Province). The Committee notes that the attrition rate of men (1.1 per cent) is much lower than that of women (5.1 per cent). It also notes that the integration rate of men is twice as high as that of women (21 per cent versus 10 per cent) and that these disparities are even more pronounced among young people under the age of 25 years. In this regard, the Government reports the strategic objectives of the new Employment and Vocational Integration Strategy (2016–2020) in terms of continuing vocational training and integration, which aim to improve the situation of the target populations, through the mobilization of local networks and the pooling of information through a powerful information system called RELIEF, which enables the individualized monitoring of each person seeking to integrate into the labour market to better guide them. The Government also reports on measures taken to increase access to information for the most geographically remote populations, notably through events such as “digital weeks” or the creation of a “Digital Space” certification, which aims to promote the development of digital public spaces, and to ensure their connectedness, their sustainability and their adaptation to the different contexts of New Caledonia. In terms of professional certification, the Committee notes the development of professional qualification certificates (CQP), which are a key instrument for increasing the number of professional diplomas that meet the needs of enterprises, and the professional certifications registered in the New Caledonian professional certification directory (RCPNC). In addition, the Government is promoting the certificate of essential skills (CCE), with a view to enhancing the training or professional integration of people with few opportunities for employment. The Committee notes that the pass rate for certificates of essential skills was 85 per cent in 2020, which attests to its effectiveness in linking education policies with employment and continued professional training, through the Employment and Vocational Integration Strategy. With regard to the coherence of public policies on education, the Government reports that the Inter-Community Technical Committee on Education (CITE) aims to promote exchange between the various partners involved in education in order to ensure consultation on and coherence of public policies on education. The Government adds the New Caledonia Education Advisory Council (CCE-NC), was reformed in January 2015 and includes among its members the directorate of continued vocational training. In this respect, the Committee notes that section 6 of Decision No. 108 of 15 January 2016 on the establishment and organization of the New Caledonian Education Advisory Council (CCE-NC) specifies that sectoral commissions composed of representatives of the CCE-NC and the New Caledonian Vocational Training Advisory Committee shall be convened to examine changes in the training roadmap and must be consulted on this subject. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed and updated information on whether the strategic objectives for continuing education have been achieved, and to what extent the achievement of these objectives has made it possible, in collaboration with the social partners, to strengthen the linkages and coherence between policies in the education system and in the field of employment and continuing vocational training, in particular in the context of the Employment and Vocational Integration Strategy 2016–2020. In addition, it requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to reduce the impact of the decline in staff numbers on the education system. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to reduce the attrition rate of women and to increase their integration into the workforce, including through measures adopted to promote the sharing of family responsibilities between men and women and to combat gender stereotypes that impede women’s access to vocational training.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Comprehensive and co-ordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. Lifelong training. The Government of New Caledonia refers in its report to the adoption of Act No. 2017-7 of 21 March 2017 concerning lifelong training and amending the Labour Code of New Caledonia. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of this Act, which transcribes into the Labour Code the provisions of the interoccupational collective agreement of 30 June 2015 on the financing of training and the creation of a training insurance fund. The Committee also notes that the Act incorporates provisions into chapter V of the Labour Code that relate to lifelong vocational training (Article 4 of the Convention). The Committee notes that section Lp. 541-2 of the Act provides that “ongoing vocational training shall be the subject of a policy involving, in particular, consultation and coordination with representative organizations of employers and waged workers and also of self-employed workers”, and that such consultation and coordination shall be organized by the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training. The Act covers: the obligation for employers to participate in the financing of lifelong training (sections Lp. 542-11 and Lp. 544-1 of the Labour Code); the implementation and monitoring of the training insurance fund, which has to publish an annual report containing statistical and financial information enabling an overview of its functioning (section Lp. 544-19 of the Labour Code); and the obligations of training providers (section Lp. 545-22 et seq. of the Labour Code). The Committee also notes the establishment of the “Employment and vocational integration strategy 2016–20”, which was discussed with the social partners, especially within the Council on Social Dialogue. One of the goals of the strategy is to place enterprises at the heart of vocational training mechanisms in order to gear vocational training more closely to their needs. The strategy is reviewed annually in the context of the financing agreement. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication concerning the development of the bill on the reform of work-linked training. The Committee requests the Government to send a copy of the annual report of the training insurance fund. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information indicating whether the strategic objectives of ongoing training have been achieved, and to what extent the attainment of the objectives has contributed, in cooperation with the social partners, to strengthening coordination and coherence between education policies and employment and further vocational training policies, particularly in the context of the “Employment and vocational integration strategy 2016–20”.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

The Committee notes the report of the Government of New Caledonia in reply to the direct request of 2008. It notes in particular the 2013–17 guidance document which sets out broad guidelines for continuous vocational training and is the product of broad-based cooperation between all the players involved in integration, training and employment. The Committee takes notes of the following three major programmes: (i) the Programme Receive, inform, guide and support, the strategic objective of which is to develop and facilitate access to training and to support beneficiaries in their choices and their courses; (ii) the Programme Train for employment, the strategic objective of which is to provide human resources in the quantity and quality needed for the labour market; and (iii) the Programme Facilitate and pilot the vocational training policy, the strategic objective of which is to organize and develop vocational training in such a way as to match training and certification with the needs of individuals, social and economic players and political expectations. The Committee invites the Government to indicate in its next report whether the strategic objectives of continuous training have been achieved and how far the attainment of the objectives has contributed, with the support from the social partners, to strengthening coordination and coherence between education policies and employment and vocational training policies (Article 1 of the Convention).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes the report of the Government of New Caledonia received in August 2008 in response to the direct request of 2004. The report describes a number of changes which have occurred in the context of the transfer of competencies from the State to New Caledonia. The Government indicates that a draft text on the recognition of prior experience in New Caledonia is currently in the process of adoption and that an Institute for the Development of Competencies in New Caledonia (IDC-NC) replacing the employment agency has been created. Consultation of the social partners in the area of vocational training is now handled by the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training, a body for the automatic consultation of the social partners on any project concerning vocational training. The Committee hopes that the Government’s next report will contain updated information enabling an examination of the manner in which the objectives of the Convention, particularly in terms of open, flexible and complementary systems of vocational education, guidance and training, and also in terms of the close relationship with employment, are taken into account in the context of the reforms resulting from the transfer of competencies. Please also indicate how employers’ and workers’ organizations are involved in the formulation and implementation of training policies and programmes, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes that the Government indicates in its 2003 report that major changes are to be made in the area of vocational training and that several texts are being prepared to this end. In this regard, it notes with interest the December 2002 "redeployment proposals" which aim to accompany socially committed sustainable development and to promote social progress and employment. The Committee trusts that the aims of the Convention, particularly with regard to establishing systems of education, guidance and training which are open, flexible and complementary, as well as being closely connected to employment, will be duly taken into account in the context of this reform, and that the organizations of employers and workers will be associated, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

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 1999 direct request, which read as follows.

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s report, received in March 1999, supplying detailed information from the Vice-Rectorate of New Caledonia and comprehensive documentation on the programmes and state of progress of the various bodies involved in implementing the provisions of the Convention. It also notes that the priority objectives are set in conjunction with all the partners within the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Advancement and Employment, with the participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies. The Committee hopes that the Government’s future reports will contain substantive information to enable it to continue to review the application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes with interest the Government's report, received in March 1999, supplying detailed information from the Vice-Rectorate of New Caledonia and comprehensive documentation on the programmes and state of progress of the various bodies involved in implementing the provisions of the Convention. It also notes that the priority objectives are set in conjunction with all the partners within the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Advancement and Employment, with the participation of employers' and workers' organizations and other interested bodies. The Committee hopes that the Government's future reports will contain substantive information to enable it to continue to review the application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the two successive reports sent by the Government covering the period 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1993, and the appended documents. In particular, it notes with interest the document on the implementation of the territorial continuous training programme in 1991 and asks the Government to continue to send with its future reports any extracts of reports, studies, enquiries or statistical data enabling it to ascertain the practical effect given to the Convention.

The Committee notes in this connection that the information so far provided for the most part concerns only continuous vocational training. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would provide detailed information on the effect given to all the provisions of the Convention. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide the information already requested on the following points.

1. Please indicate the manner in which vocational guidance and training are closely linked with employment, in particular through public employment services, in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

2. Please describe, as required by the report form, the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training, indicating to what extent these systems are "open, flexible and complementary", in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

3. Please provide the information required by the report form on the effect given to the provisions of Article 3 of the Convention.

4. Please indicate the manner in which the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations and, where applicable, other interested bodies is assured in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training programmes, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, both within and outside bodies such as the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment or the Governing Board of the Territorial Establishment for Adult Vocational Training.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes the two successive reports sent by the Government covering the period 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1993, and the appended documents. In particular, it notes with interest the document on the implementation of the territorial continuous training programme in 1991 and asks the Government to continue to send with its future reports any extracts of reports, studies, enquiries or statistical data enabling it to ascertain the practical effect given to the Convention.

The Committee notes in this connection that the information so far provided for the most part concerns only continuous vocational training. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would provide detailed information on the effect given to all the provisions of the Convention. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide the information already requested on the following points.

1. Please indicate the manner in which vocational guidance and training are closely linked with employment, in particular through public employment services, in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

2. Please describe, as required by the report form, the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training, indicating to what extent these systems are "open, flexible and complementary", in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

3. Please provide the information required by the report form on the effect given to the provisions of Article 3 of the Convention.

4. Please indicate the manner in which the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations and, where applicable, other interested bodies is assured in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training programmes, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, both within and outside bodies such as the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment or the Governing Board of the Territorial Establishment for Adult Vocational Training.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes with regret 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. Article 1, paragraphs 1 to 4, of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would describe in its next report on the Convention, and in relation with the report due on Conventions Nos. 88 and 122, the activities of the bodies responsible for vocational training, and particularly the manner in which policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training are linked with employment and the employment services. Please also refer to Part VI of the report form and supply extracts of reports or rulings, particularly by the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment.

2. Article 2. Please supply additional information describing all the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training, and showing the extent to which these systems are "open, flexible and complementary" in the sense of the Convention.

3. Article 3, paragraph 1. Please indicate the measures which ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are made available to the persons concerned (children, young persons and adults). Please give particulars of any extensions of the vocational guidance system which have taken place during the period covered by the report.

4. Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. Please supply the information requested in the report form on the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes. Please state how the information on education and training, the occupations, the employment market and all the other matters covered by these paragraphs is kept up to date.

5. Article 4. In future reports please supply information on the measures taken to extend the coverage of vocational training systems and to ensure that they are adapted to meet new needs.

6. Article 5. The Committee noted with interest the information supplied regarding the application of Convention No. 122 and the information regarding consultations with the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment. It would be grateful if the Government would supply additional information on the manner in which the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations and, where applicable, other interested bodies, is assured in practice within and outside the bodies responsible for vocational training in the Territory, in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to its comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government's first report on the implementation of the Convention in New Caledonia. It requests the Government to supply additional information on the following points.

1. Article 1, paragraphs 1 to 4, of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would describe in its next report on the Convention, and in relation with the report due on Conventions Nos. 88 and 122, the activities of the bodies responsible for vocational training, and particularly the manner in which policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training are linked with employment and the employment services. Please also refer to Part VI of the report form and supply extracts of reports or rulings, particularly by the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment.

2. Article 2. Please supply additional information describing all the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training, and showing the extent to which these systems are "open, flexible and complementary" in the sense of the Convention.

3. Article 3, paragraph 1. Please indicate the measures which ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are made available to the persons concerned (children, young persons and adults). Please give particulars of any extensions of the vocational guidance system which have taken place during the period covered by the report.

4. Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. Please supply the information requested in the report form on the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes. Please state how the information on education and training, the occupations, the employment market and all the other matters covered by these paragraphs is kept up to date.

5. Article 4. In future reports please supply information on the measures taken to extend the coverage of vocational training systems and to ensure that they are adapted to meet new needs.

6. Article 5. The Committee noted with interest the information supplied regarding the application of Convention No. 122 and the information regarding consultations with the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment. It would be grateful if the Government would supply additional information on the manner in which the co-operation of employers' and workers' organisations and, where applicable, other interested bodies, is assured in practice within and outside the bodies responsible for vocational training in the Territory, in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

The Committee notes the Government's first report on the implementation of the Convention in New Caledonia. It requests the Government to supply additional information on the following points.

1. Article 1, paragraphs 1 to 4, of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would describe in its next report on the Convention, and in relation with the report due on Conventions Nos. 88 and 122, the activities of the bodies responsible for vocational training, and particularly the manner in which policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training are linked with employment and the employment services. Please also refer to Part VI of the report form and supply extracts of reports or rulings, particularly by the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment.

2. Article 2. Please supply additional information describing all the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training, and showing the extent to which these systems are "open, flexible and complementary" in the sense of the Convention.

3. Article 3, paragraph 1. Please indicate the measures which ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are made available to the persons concerned (children, young persons and adults). Please give particulars of any extensions of the vocational guidance system which have taken place during the period covered by the report.

4. Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. Please supply the information requested in the report form on the type of information made available for vocational guidance purposes. Please state how the information on education and training, the occupations, the employment market and all the other matters covered by these paragraphs is kept up to date.

5. Article 4. In future reports please supply information on the measures taken to extend the coverage of vocational training systems and to ensure that they are adapted to meet new needs.

6. Article 5. The Committee noted with interest the information supplied regarding the application of Convention No. 122 and the information regarding consultations with the Territorial Committee on Vocational Training, Social Promotion and Employment. It would be grateful if the Government would supply additional information on the manner in which the co-operation of employers' and workers' organisations and, where applicable, other interested bodies, is assured in practice within and outside the bodies responsible for vocational training in the Territory, in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.