Lithuania

Apprenticeship and qualification improvement at a work place

Pameistrystė ir kvalifikacijos tobulinimas darbo vietoje

Description

Timespan

Since 2014

Stage

Fully operational

Focus area

Matching skills for today’s job market

Foundations

Policy area

Initial vocational education and training

This instrument is implemented under priority "Educating the society and strengthening the potential of human resources" of the Operational programme for the European Union Funds' Investments in 2014-2020.

Policy goal

Provide support for projects of apprenticeship and the acquisition of sectoral competences, and also for the development of a sub-system for qualifications obtained in the working environment. The rationale for the intervention is to increase workforce competitiveness, ensuring opportunities to adapt to economic needs.

Mismatch

Explicitly designed to address skill mismatch

Prepared training programs for apprenticeship are the result of the close cooperation between educational organizations and employers. Programs are constructed in such a way to satisfy the need of market and employers.

Aim of policy instrument

Upskill and match skills of unemployed

Address skill shortages

Broadly address skill mismatch

Legal basis

Ministerial order

Administrative level

National

Main responsible body

Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Lithuania

Stakeholders

Government (central & regional)

Employer federations

Chambers of commerce and industry

Ministry of Education and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, ESFA, training providers.

Funding

The instrument is financed by ESF. The value of signed contracts is €4,763,804. The funding from the European Social Fund is €2,663,132. The remaining amount is private funds.

Intended beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries include pupils and other people seeking apprenticeships or seeking to obtain professional competences relevant for the labour market, in order to improve their possibilities for employment. Indirect beneficiaries include educational organizations, who prepare training programs, together with employers, tailored to apprenticeships and meeting business needs, as well as employers, who benefit from an enlarged supply of labour.

Processes

Use of labour market intelligence

Inform the design of national qualification frameworks (NQFs)

Design training programmes to activate unemployed

Inform job-search decisions of unemployed

The programme prepares specialists with relevant skills for employers and labour market needs. The training programs are focused on the needs of each company, by conducting surveys and assessments of the training needs of new staff in formal/non-formal training programs, and providing new qualifications and training needs for the required occupations. The measure is aimed at training employees of enterprises:
1) Apprenticeship training for the qualification or part of it.
2) Training in the workplace to improve qualifications.
The training is organized by the project promoter (employer) at the workplace, assigning a teacher or apprentice teacher (trained person by the project promoter or partner). It is also possible to buy training (no more than 30% of the curriculum time) and knowledge assessment services. At least 70% of the training time must be devoted to practical training (not applicable if the formal training program or its module has a different relationship between practical and theoretical training).

Financial schemes

Subsidies for open calls. Subsidies are dedicated to training providers and enterprises that provide practical training at a work place. Teachers' (e.g. a craftsman or another position at production) working hours with apprentice are being financed and theoretical studies (training providers) are financed.

Frequency of updates

Two more calls will be launched with some updates.

Development

The program was launched with 7 professional training centres. The need in 2015 doubled and some adjustments were implemented in order to satisfy the need. The number of stakeholders was increased to 12 and 5 labour training centres were involved.

Barriers

The lack of understanding of the concept of apprenticeship for pupils and students and a very fragmented experience of apprenticeship's implementation among organizations are the main barriers for the success of this program. There isn't a common idea of apprenticeship in the labour market or at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. Cooperation among business organizations and professional training centres is too low, and the low prestige of professional education and training institutes also have a negative impact on the implementation of the program. In order to overcome these barriers, effective communication and cooperation among stakeholders was established. Active communication about the perspectives of professional training was launched as well. The attitude of young learners is still changing too slow.

Success factors

There has only been one call for application. All projects are still under implementation.

Monitoring

The following indicators are monitored: the number of employees participated in ESF trainings, providing qualification or competence; the number of trained employees from micro, small and medium organizations; the number of people participated in activities based on formal education courses or modules basis; and the percentage of successfully trained graduated people, who apply knowledge between 6 and 24 months after graduation.

Innovativeness

Not innovative

Sustainability

Evidence of effectiveness

There was only one call for applications. All projects of this call are still under implementation. There is no possibility to evaluate the benefits while all projects are under implementation. At this moment, the numbers of learners, involved social partners and training providers are counted.

Engagement of stakeholders

Regulation EU No 1303/2013, article 5.

Transferability

Easily transferable

The mechanism of instrument implementation and coordination, processes of collaboration among professional training schools, employer and apprentice could be transferred to another country.

Sustainability

One call for applications is planned during the period 2017.

Competences LT

Kompetencijos LT

Description

Timespan

2014-2020

Stage

Fully operational

Focus area

Matching skills for today’s job market

Foundations

Policy area

Active labour market policies

Policy goal

The main goal of the policy is to fulfil specific sectorial needs, by providing training and to create a sub-system of high qualification development at a work place. The rationale for the intervention is strengthening the potential of human resources. The instrument covers the whole country and a wide network of employees and employers.

Mismatch

Explicitly designed to address skill mismatch

Aim of policy instrument

Match skills of young graduates

Upskill employed adults

Address skill shortages

Legal basis

Ministerial order

Administrative level

National

Main responsible body

Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania

Stakeholders

Employer federations

European social fund agency (implementing institution).

Funding

€22,639,481. The value of the signed contracts is €13,867,352. The funding from the European Social Fund is €8,740,311. The remaining amount is private funds.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries include business associations, chambers of commerce, industry and crafts, cluster coordinator. They are expected to benefit by strengthening the access to qualifications development for employees, ensuring their professional mobility and opportunities to adapt to economic needs.

Processes

Use of labour market intelligence

Design training programmes to activate unemployed

Inform decisions on course funding/provision

In order to achieve the program goals, specific training programmes were prepared. These training programmes are prepared according to requirements of financial conditions and needs of enterprises, which operate in a particular sector. Training programmes are implemented by beneficiaries. These programmes address sectorial skill shortages and provide special knowledge and expertise, which is essential for employees to carry out their immediate functions. The training is carried out by a selection of suppliers or individual people (teachers), who have certain specific knowledge necessary for the training of employees.

Financial schemes

Subsidies are based on calls. Subsidies are dedicated to possible applicants (business associations, chambers of commerce, industry and crafts, cluster coordinator).

Frequency of updates

Offers for change of the project selection criteria were accepted in 2017.

Development

No adjustments were made.

Barriers

The process of procurement for participants was and still is one of the barriers. Mismatch of learners needs and prepared training programs also exists.

Monitoring

Main indicators include trained employees of supported micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The progress is measured regularly.

Innovativeness

Not innovative

Sustainability

Evidence of effectiveness

There was only one call for applications. All projects are still under implementation. There is no possibility to evaluate the benefits while all projects are under implementation. At the moment, the numbers of learners, involved social partners and training providers are counted.

Engagement of stakeholders

Regulation EU No 1303/2013, article 5.

Transferability

Easily transferable

This instrument can be fully transferred to another country.

Sustainability

Two calls for applications are planned during the period of 2018-2019.

Employment opportunities barometer

Įsidarbinamumo barometras

Description

Timespan

Since 1995

Stage

Fully operational

Focus area

Matching skills for the future of work

Foundations

Policy area

Active labour market policies

The platform provides information about the demand and the supply of the Lithuanian labour market, and helps young, unemployed or employees willing to change their profession to make correct decision.

Policy goal

To provide information and forecasts on the short-term labour market demand for qualifications. This instrument mainly aims to identify short-term (up to 1 year) shortages of qualifications by indicating qualifications in high, medium and low demand. It is an instrument for vocational guidance and planning of the active labour market measures, especially training for the unemployed.

Mismatch

Explicitly designed to address skill mismatch

It is explicitly designed to address skill mismatch by providing information on the current and short-term labour market needs at the national and regional levels, in order to improve the match between demand for and supply of qualifications.

Aim of policy instrument

Address skill shortages

Legal basis

Other

Administrative level

National

Main responsible body

Ministry of Social Security and Labour

Stakeholders

Training providers (public/private)

Chambers of commerce and industry

Employer federations

Government (central & regional)

Trade unions

46 Lithuanian Labour exchange offices - they provide information about current situation in their region.
Training providers, employer federations, trade unions, chambers of commerce and industry, social partners - they consults during the formation process and monitor final results.

Funding

The source of the funds is the Lithuanian Labour exchange. Approximately €1,800 are spent on printing an employment opportunities barometer during 2017. This barometer is one of employees tasks, so labour cost are not counted. No other costs were met.

Intended beneficiaries

The following groups of beneficiaries are identified: pupils and students choosing their career path; unemployed; training providers; and employees willing to change their profession or occupation. Beneficiaries can evaluate and forecast their career possibilities, while training providers are able to adapt to the market demand and prepare specific education and training programmes.

Processes

Use of labour market intelligence

Design training programmes to activate unemployed

Inform job-search decisions of unemployed

Inform career-making decisions of students

Inform the design of national qualification frameworks (NQFs)

Classification of professions ISCO-08 was applied. It helped to identify all professions, and match-up reached 95%.

Financial schemes

Lithuanian Labour exchange provides funds from total subsidy.

Frequency of updates

LMSI is updated regularly each year.

Development

In 2014, an interactive map of professions started being prepared and social partners began being involved.

Barriers

At this moment, only qualifications are being evaluated. There is a plan to propose an evaluation of competences from 2018.

Success factors

Long experience and adopted practise from Scandinavian institutions of employment.

Monitoring

The progress of the instrument is not measured.

Innovativeness

Slightly innovative

Interactive presentation of information. The idea of this instrument is transferred from Nordic countries, so it is not innovative itself. But the visualisation of it was improved, making it more interactive. The results of each region is presented separately in one design based picture.

Sustainability

Evidence of effectiveness

It is the only instrument across all country instruments that provides information about employment possibilities. The instrument is online and available for all beneficiaries. The purpose of the instrument is to provide information, so it is a source of knowledge for decision makers. The instrument is being prepared for a long period, so it is also useful for monitoring longer periods and longitude studies. Barometers, which are intended for the public, are publicly available on the website of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange. Employment barometers are published in information stands in the open information spaces, youth work centres, at the Labour Market Open Information System terminals, distributed in general education, vocational and higher education schools, public libraries, municipalities and municipalities, as well as their content being discussed with employers, social partners, educational institutions, trade unions and communities, so it would be difficult to assess the number of users. There were no unexpected benefits. Due to the change in the presentation of the instrument (it became interactive), there was a need for extra budget.

Engagement of stakeholders

Employers are involved. They participate in the process of preparation of the instrument and evaluation of results.

Transferability

Easily transferable

It is easily transferable, because it is based on policy from the Nordic countries (Sweden). The instrument is translated in English and can be found in the web-site of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange. This instrument could easily be transferred to non-Nordic countries, as there is no specific conditions for implementation.

Sustainability

Yes, because the instrument is useful for the labour market.

Sectoral practical training centres

Sektoriniai praktinio mokymo centrai

Description

Timespan

Since 2007

Stage

Fully operational

Focus area

Matching skills for today’s job market

Foundations

Policy area

Initial vocational education and training

Sectoral practical training centres are primarily the instruments of the initial VET policy, which helps meet current and future skills shortages.

Policy goal

The policy goal is to modernise and update the technical infrastructure of the initial VET and lifelong learning. It widens the accessibility of practical training by providing workplace-based competences needed in the different sectoral occupations.

Mismatch

Part of broader programme, yet with explicit focus

It is a part of the national programme for development of initial vocational education and training, but at the same time it explicitly targets the problem of provision of practical skills needed in the workplace. It is directly focused on skills mismatch, seeking to improve and adjust the skills of the current and future workforce to the needs of enterprises in the sectors. The focus on skills shortages is ensured through the development of training curricula in close cooperation with employers and the involvement of skilled specialists from the enterprises in the supervision and provision of training.

Aim of policy instrument

Match skills of young graduates

Upskill employed adults

Address skill shortages

Legal basis

Ministerial order

Administrative level

National

Main responsible body

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania

Stakeholders

Government (central & regional)

Training providers (public/private)

Trade unions

Chambers of commerce and industry

Trade unions and chambers of commerce and industry are advising and consulting practical sectoral training centres.

Funding

€117,754 was assigned for the first period of 2007-2013, and €48,950 for the second 2014 -2020. The project is financed by EU structural funds.

Intended beneficiaries

The practical training centres offer up-to-date modern practical training environment to VET students, unemployed people, higher education students (who can use the practical training centres for internships and practical training sessions) and employees of enterprises.

Processes

Use of labour market intelligence

Inform the design of national qualification frameworks (NQFs)

Design training programmes to activate unemployed

Inform career-making decisions of students

Inform job-search decisions of unemployed

Prepared vocational training programmes were adjusted to the labour market needs. The programme also helped to improve skills of adults actively participating in the labour market. Information is used and analysed from the Labour Exchange, strategical documents of business associations, employers' survey data and the requests of employers expressed in different meetings and discussions, in order to identify the needs of the labour market information at the regional level.

Financial schemes

The prime professional training is financed by subsidies from the governmental budget, continuous professional training is financed by Employment fund, enterprises and private finances.

Frequency of updates

The programme consists of two part: 2007-2013 and 2014-2020.

Development

There were no adjustments.

Barriers

No barriers.

Success factors

Competence and focused work of managers of sectoral practical training centres.

Monitoring

The programme allowed to modernise the depot and adapt it to the youth, adult and other learners needs and work. 42 sectoral practical training centres were established in different regions of Lithuania, where learnings spaces were set up and equipped with modern facilities. Twice a year employment of sectoral practical training centres for pupils from vocational education schools and general education schools, students of colleges and universities, and other users is analysed. The following indicators are analysed: the percentage of pupils learning under vocational training programmes; the percentage of adults aged 25-64 studied for 4 weeks; the percentage of graduates who are registered at the Lithuanian Labour Exchange; and the percentage of employed graduates in one year from graduating the programme.

Innovativeness

Slightly innovative

All students from vocational schools and colleges have the possibility to get acquainted with modern technologies of production and services provision, to gain valuable practical skills and to integrate themselves more successfully into the labour market. Due to sectoral practical training centres cooperation among training institutions, businesses are being developed, as well as their employees' competences, and there is an enhancement of individual and business competitiveness.

Sustainability

Evidence of effectiveness

Modernised infrastructure allowed to improve the quality of professional training and possibilities to prepare specialists, meeting the need of the labour market. The programme accelerates modernisation and attractiveness of Lithuanian vocational training system. The audit of the performance of sectoral practical training centres was accomplished in 2016. The results of the audit state that usage of sectoral practical training centres is not equal, not effective enough and do not reach defined goals. Effectiveness could be improved by exploring sectoral practical trainings centres for external users.

Engagement of stakeholders

The guidelines of performance of sectoral practical training centres have been prepared on the same basis professional education institutions prepared the description of the service provision procedure.

Transferability

Easily transferable

It is easily transferable, because similar centres work in many other countries with a school-based or dual VET system. The main challenges of transfer are comparatively high costs of finding sufficient funding sources, as well as risks and challenges related to the management, sustaining and upgrading of the infrastructure and teaching staff.

Sustainability

It is expected that sectoral practical training centres will be used as widely as possible, not only to organize practical training, but also to facilitate the implementation of new initial and continuing vocational training programs. It should be noted that in the future sectoral practical training centres could also be the centres for assessing individual competencies and improving the skills of teachers.

The open system of vocational information and consulting AIKOS

Atvira profesinio informavimo ir konsultavimo sistema AIKOS

Description

Timespan

Started in 2008

Stage

Fully operational

Focus area

Matching skills for today’s job market

Foundations

Policy area

Initial vocational education and training

It is primarily the instrument for vocational guidance and consulting, helping the learners to choose a pathway in education and training.

Policy goal

The goal of the policy is to ensure relevant and comprehensive information about labour market and education and training possibilities in Lithuania is provided. It is an open online information portal, providing information on qualifications, VET and HE study programmes, as well as about the providers of these programmes to the different target groups. The target group includes pupils and young people seeking to obtain the information about occupations and qualifications, students, employers, education and training providers.

Mismatch

Explicitly designed to address skill mismatch

It is explicitly designed to address skill mismatch through improving the access to and quality of the information on education and training opportunities, occupations, qualifications and their providers to learners, employees, enterprises and other groups of interest. It targets skill mismatch through the provision of information for vocational guidance.

Aim of policy instrument

Match skills of young graduates

Upskill and match skills of unemployed

Upskill employed adults

Facilitate job/career transitions

Legal basis

Ministerial order

Administrative level

National

Main responsible body

The Ministry of Education and Science

Stakeholders

Government (central & regional)

Training providers (public/private)

Research centres and universities

Ministry of Education and Science supervises the functioning of the system.
Ministry of Social Security and Labour is also involved in the supervision of the system and provision of the information related to employment and qualifications.
Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania provides part of the statistical information to the system.
Lithuanian Labour Exchange uses the system for labour market policies and provides the information on labour market needs.
Other users and involved stakeholders of the system are Centre of Information Technologies of Education, Lithuanian Youth Technical Creativity Palace, Euroguidance.

Funding

It was mainly funded by the European Social Fund, with a smaller contribution from the national budget, about €4.4 million.

Intended beneficiaries

There are two groups of beneficiaries of the instrument: pupils from secondary schools and people willing to change or improve their qualification. Relevant information about learning and training possibilities at vocational training centres, colleges, universities and other education and science institutes are being provided. Main benefits for both groups is relevant, structured, updated information in one platform.

Processes

Use of labour market intelligence

Design standards and accreditation

Inform decisions on course funding/provision

Inform career-making decisions of students

Inform job-search decisions of unemployed

Enable strategic business decisions

AIKOS is an open vocational information, counselling, and guidance system, providing a wide range of users with information based on public, departmental, and other databases and registers. The programme provides qualitative information on the possibilities of distant learning, and informs and consults a wide range of users irrespective of their age, helping them to chose their own path in the sphere of education, training, and occupation, and to build their professional career.

Financial schemes

Subsidies are from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. Subsidies are dedicated to the Centre of Information Technologies in Education, who is responsible for the administration of the project.

Frequency of updates

Information about education and science institutes, study programmes, qualification, certificates, register of science is updated daily. Information from the Lithuanian Labour Exchange and available work place is updated every month. Information from the register of pupils and teacher is updated twice a year. Information from the Statistics Department is updated once a year.

Development

No adaptations/adjustments have been made.

Barriers

One of the main barriers is that the instrument is not very well known to pupils.

Success factors

Cooperation of various stakeholders, financial support and understanding the need of lifelong learning and updating of skills and competence needed in the labour market.

Monitoring

There is no clear indicators or descriptors.

Innovativeness

Slightly innovative

AIKOS platform as an instrument was quite innovative in terms of the cooperation of different governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, providing relevant information, the forms and width of various information (video, different templates, licences, certificates, different programmes, upcoming events), and the historical data (register for programmes, statistics and historical information). A special space is being dedicated for self evaluation and selection of career path.

Sustainability

Evidence of effectiveness

Considering the wide usage of the instrument by the target users, its impact is high. In 2017, the page was visited by 889,943 visitors. During the same period, there were 251,089 sessions with an average duration of 3 min 15 sec. The main benefits and beneficiaries have been as expected.

Engagement of stakeholders

Regulation specifies the role of the Ministry in the policy.

Transferability

Easily transferable

AIKOS is accessible to users in different regions. The instrument is also partially available in English and can be used by the users from other countries. Similar instruments are implemented in many countries (e.g. France, UK, Czech Republic etc).

Sustainability

Threats to sustainability for this project are from a financial aspect, and from the possibility of a change in clients (the emergence of other similar platforms). It is expected this project will continue, however, due to the systemic information for users in one place.