Developing OSKA, a system of labour market monitoring and future skills forecasting (until 2021)

OSKA analyses the developmental potential and labour requirements of different economic sectors in Estonia. Its surveys of sectoral needs for labour and skills use a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Both statistical data and information collected from personal interviews with sectoral experts and from group discussions are used. Five economic sectors are examined per year. Each sector is reanalysed every five to 6 years on average. The results of these analyses provide input for matching initial training provision to labour market needs. OSKA prepares an annual general report on changes in labour requirements and developments in the labour market, and on the dominant trends over the next 10 years. The prerequisite for this approach is the active and content-driven participation of employers in the lifelong learning system.

In 2016, the first OSKA annual report on global and domestic trends influencing the supply and demand of labour in Estonia was published, together with an overview of labour and skills requirements by 2025. The report is updated every year. In 2016-2017, actions have been taken to promote and communicate OSKA reports and their conclusions.

In 2018, an overview of the implementation of the OSKA system and an initial review of the forecasting for 2020+ was given to the Estonian Government. OSKA reports are regularly presented to career specialists, representatives of education institutions, employers and policy makers in dedicated conferences and seminars.

In 2017-19, Cedefop provided technical advice to Estonia to improve its 'governance of skills anticipation and matching'. The aim was to improve the management and coordination of skills anticipation efforts, making existing skills anticipation initiatives more useful for policy, and better linking of skills intelligence to education and training.