Description
Country
Focus area
Sector Councils is a platform for systematic cooperation between the demand and supply side of the labour market. Sector Councils are employer-led and partly publicly co-funded. It supervises expert groups, whose task is to monitor skill shortages and consult corresponding policy measures (Vocational Qualifications, National System of Professions etc). The activities of Sector Councils help to narrow the gap between requirements of employers (in terms of qualifications and competencies of employees) and the supply of the workforce (both current and future), through identification of future needs and recommendations for improvement.
Link
Reference/weblink
Implementation level
At what level is the initiative implemented?
National
Legal base
Legal base (E.g. Law, regulation, implementing provision, other)
Independent associations of employers with a focus on human resources
Starting period
TIMESPAN: In what year did the initiative commence?
Since 2010
Perspective
PERSPECTIVE: is the initiative based on evidence derived from skill forecasts or foresight activities?
Sector Councils have discussions on a regular basis among their members to identify current skills gaps and mismatches, as well as to identify future skills needs. They also use statistics (vacant jobs by professions) to formulate current needs and trends.
Policy area
To which POLICY AREAS(s) does the initiative apply?
Funding
How it is funded?
Other
There is a funding allocated from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports budget for running the NSK.
Skill mismatch
Skill mismatch target
What type(s) of skills MISMATCH does the initiative aim to addresses?
Skill shortages (employers cannot fill their vacancies due to a lack of skills in the labour market)
Skill gaps (worker's skills are below the level of proficiency required by their employers and jobs)
Other
Sector Councils were designed to address skills mismatch.
Skills matching focus
How does the initiative address skills mismatches?
Sector councils are focused on understanding the skill shortages signalled by the labour market, coordinated by nationwide employers associations.
Sector councils are focused on understanding the skill shortages signalled by the labour market, coordinated by nationwide employers associations.
Methods
Methods
What methods of undertaking skills assessments and / or skills anticipation does the policy instrument utilise?
Expert panels
Experts involved in Sector Councils jointly monitor the labour market, identify development trends and changes.
Other
Sector Councils use all types of available skills assessment/skills anticipation information in monitoring the labour market and identifying trends and changes.
Use of skills intelligence
How is labour market information / skills intelligence used within the initiative?
Sector councils, among their tasks, analyse professional and qualification needs in the sector and design qualifications structure and assessment standards.
Sector councils discussed the information available on the skill needs of sectors and also communicate with state and educational institutions to promote the needs of a specific sector.
Stakeholders
Main responsible body
Main body or organisation with overall responsibility for the initiative.
Other
Svaz průmyslu a dopravy (Confederation of Industry)
Other involved organisations
Which other organisations have a role in the initiative?
Social partner: employer organisation
Employers are part of Sector Councils
Chambers of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce is part of Sector Councils
Research centres, universities
Representatives of universities can be part of Sector Councils
Other
Representatives of different organisations can be involved in the work of Sectoral Councils according to the field of expertise
Beneficiaries
Who are the intended beneficiaries?
Young people making the transition from education into work
Young people with low levels of basic skills /early leavers from education or training
Adults in employment with upskilling potential
Adults in employment with reskilling potential
Sustainability
Success factors
SUCCESS FACTORS in the implementation
A key factor is a close and focused cooperation of bodies and people involved: 250 people from various companies, associations and institutions are members of 29 Sector Councils, and an additional 1,500 experts are invited to tackle specific tasks.
Monitoring and evaluation
MONITORING and EVALUATION: Is progress measured regularly? What are the indicators used to measure progress of the policy instrument? Have any evaluations been conducted?
n/a
Updates
UPDATES: whether there have been any major updates of the initiative since it has been implemented?
Yes
Sector Councils are operational on a regular basis. The frequency of meetings varies, depending on particular Council attitudes and need. Some of them hold meetings quarterly, some once a year.
Effectiveness
EVIDENCE ON EFFECTIVENESS: How effective is the policy instrument?
The instrument was developed and exists as intended. 29 Sector Councils were established in total and 7 Sector Agreements signed. Sector Councils identify the problem in skills and qualifications, provide evidence and propose solutions to overcome barriers. The Sector Agreements define ways and approaches to solve the problem in specific qualification needs. A key success factor so far is establishing a vocational qualification scheme.
Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY: How sustainable is the policy instrument? Do you expect the instrument to continue over the next few years and why?
The structure and activities of the Sector Councils will continue over the next period. The reasons for this are a) the Sector Councils' long history and its representativeness in the vocational qualification and National System of Profession b) the legislation act No. 179/2006, setting the position of Sector Councils within the system of vocational qualification c) the backing of Sector Councils by key employer associations
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