Community statistics: analysis of continuing vocational training in enterprises

PURPOSE: The establishment of a common framework for Community statistics on vocational training in enterprises.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation 1552/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: The objective of this Regulation is the creation of common statistical standards that permit the production of harmonised data on vocational training in enterprises. In order to realise this objective the Regulation:

-         Establishes a common framework for the production of Community statistics on vocational training in enterprises. The data to be collected covers the following fields:

-         Training policy and enterprises strategies for developing work-place skills.

-         Enterprise management, structure and the forms of continuing vocational training.

-         The role of the social partners in ensuring all aspects of continuing vocational training in the workplace.

-         Access to continuing vocational training, its volume and contents – especially in the context of economic activity and the size of an enterprise.

-         Specific continuing vocational training measures of enterprises to improve the ICT skills of their work force.

-         The types of opportunities for employees in SMEs to access continuing vocational training and to acquire new skills.

-         The effect of public measures on continuing vocational training in enterprises.

-         Equal opportunities and gender access to vocational training as well as access to training for differing age groups.

-         Vocational opportunities to the disadvantaged.

-         Employment contracts and their scope for vocational training.

-         Expenditure, funding levels and incentives

-         Enterprises’ monitoring and evaluation procedures relating to vocational training.

-         Participants and the total expenditure on initial vocational training.

-         The scope of the statistics are defined by the NACE

-         A statistical unit shall apply to NACE definitions as well as an enterprise employing ten or more employees. Member States may extend the definition of the statistical unit.

-         Member States shall acquire the data either through surveys or other sources. The modality for replies will be set by the Member States.

-         In a bid to reduce the burden on enterprises the survey approach will allow a customised collection of data.

-         To ensure that the reporting quality is of the highest standards, the Regulation sets out provisions that need to be applied when reporting on the statistical information gathered.

-         The reference period to be covered by the data collection shall be one calendar year, with Member States collecting statistics every five years. Data will be transmitted in electronic format and no later than eighteen months after the end of each reference year. In return the Commission will present by October 2010 a report on the Regulation’s implementation.

-         In the first reference year, the Commission will make a financial contribution to the Member States to help cover the costs associated with the collection of data.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 20/10/2005.