Strengthening Key Competencies of Low-Skilled People in Vocational Education and Training to Cover Future Replacement Positions - REPLAY-VET A ...
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Strengthening Key Competencies of Low- Skilled People in Vocational Education and Training to Cover Future Replacement Positions - REPLAY-VET A guide for those involved in Vocational Education and Training (VET) December 2018 VET providers VET providers are pivotal to tackling the persistent levels of unemployment and under- employment suffered by low-skilled workers. Our work has identified which sectors could be a focus for new delivery and what the current obstacles are to both training and recruitment. We have also provided background labour market intelligence to help you better understand where there will definitely be vacancies – particularly through an ageing workforce (Replacement Demand). As well as identifying where there will be a need for new recruits we have also produced a number of ‘How To Guides’ (listed in the Annex below) that you should find helpful to understand why the recruitment of low skilled workers to these sectors can be problematic and what actions can be taken by yourselves and policymakers to help ensure low skilled workers are supported into sustainable employment. The REPLAY-VET ‘How To Guides’ also seek to tackle problems with understanding local and regional labour markets. These focus on ‘Replacement Demand’ – where there is an older work force and irrespective of new careers and new jobs there will definitely be a need for workers. Our project has also looked very specifically at where these vacancies will allow market entry for ‘low-skilled’ workers – who are often the hardest to place into work and can find themselves moving between different jobs and sectors. Therefore the ‘How To Guides’ should help you explore what kinds of jobs and roles low skilled workers can fill and how local and regional policymakers and others can help support their entry to these sectors and roles. This guide gives you information on how the REPLAY- VET project can help those involved in VET across the European Union. Introduction Current and future developments in labour markets across the European Union present huge challenges to those involved in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and will have a 1
significant impact on the success rate and employment opportunities of learners1. These developments include the future effects of new technologies, including machine learning, digitalization, globalization and the effects of ageing on the population and workforce. Many disproportionally affect the low skilled and less experienced people entering the workforce, although even high skilled workers will also be affected. This guide highlights lessons and recommendations from the REPLAY-VET project that are relevant to improving the current and future labour market participation of low-skilled groups of workers across the European Union and so are of direct interest to people involved in VET. These lessons include the need for reducing barriers to vocational training, improving the attractiveness of jobs, careers and labour conditions associated with the sectors in which low-skilled/low-qualified people work and advancing professionalisation in these sectors. Understanding changing labour market trends, including replacement demand and new demand for skills, is pivotal to the successful design of vocational education and work and employment policies for low-skilled people across Europe. The recommendations presented in this document underline the following: the critical importance of reinforcing links between VET, education, careers guidance, training and the changing world of work in promoting effective labour market policies that better include low-skilled, low-qualified or disadvantaged people in the workforce; common lessons that may be useful across the EU, based on the REPLAY-VET project’s findings in different national/regional contexts; job and career opportunities and constraints related to professional training and qualifications for low-skilled groups across the EU and across a range of sectors: logistics (Hesse, Germany), construction (England, UK), early learning and care (Scotland, UK), home care (The Basque Country, Spain), manufacturing (Lombardy, Italy; Czech Republic), and metallurgy and logistics (PACA, France). Key themes related to Vocational Education and Training Improving the image of vocational education among students/learners Many skills and employment advisory bodies working across Europe are aware that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and apprenticeships do not always have the same positive public image as university education2. Unfortunately, this reputation deficit 1EC (2012) Rethinking Education: Investing in skills for better socio-economic outcomes, COM(2012) 669 final. http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/com669_en.pdf 2British Council’s ‘Vocational Education Exchange’ (an online magazine for teachers and leaders in vocational education and skills), October 2018 edition. https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/skills-employability/what-we-do/vocational- education-exchange-online-magazine/career-guidance 2
helps to widen the skills gap in many sectors and contributes to a lack of skilled workers prepared to take up those roles. Thus the importance of engaging parents in making vocational education and training, and career, choices of young people is paramount3. Moving towards a greater use of online toolkits in supporting choices and planning in schools and workplaces Online and other digital technology is particularly useful in helping to satisfy the need for lifelong guidance. Lifelong learning and lifelong careers guidance in the digital age provides career development support for people of all ages, at all career stages on a one-to-one basis, through practices of information, advice, counselling, assessment of skills and mentoring4. ‘Skillset and Match’5 suggests that the place of VET and career guidance, needs deeper penetration in workplaces. More effective use of online and digital technology, along with the developing and better use of labour market intelligence (LMI), can improve access to VET and experience of learning and development. The more effective application of new technology to provide VET information, guidance and support is particularly appropriate for the younger population for whom on-line reality and communication is a natural environment, but also needs to be targeted at the disadvantaged and less information technology literate user, as well as older career changes, those living remotely or those balancing work and life responsibilities. Employers at the heart of vocational education and training and effective career guidance Local employers can be one of the best sources of advice and guidance for all ages of learners thinking about their future jobs or careers or changes and the VET needed to achieve this. They are also the site where most on-the-job training takes place. Employers have a specifically vital role to play in making learner’s aware of the diversity of career pathways and training opportunities available to them.6 Also, fully engaged learning and training providers play a significant role in developing VET as a pathway to prepare people for jobs and in strengthening their participation in society as responsible citizens. Hence, VET should be delivered in close cooperation with employers. The VET systems can be understood as channels to provide people with the occupationally- specific skills that meet employer needs, on the one hand, and the generic, transferable skills to support occupational mobility and lifelong learning, on the other hand. Therefore it is importance to provide information and guidance informed by an effective knowledge of the 3 European Centre for Development of Vocational training. ‘Skillset and Match’ CEDEFOP’s magazine promoting learning at work, September 2018. 4 European Centre for Development of Vocational training. ‘Skillset and Match’ CEDEFOP’s magazine promoting learning at work, January 2018. 5 CEDEFOP Magazine 6 European Centre for Development of Vocational training. ‘Skillset and Match’ CEDEFOP’s magazine promoting learning at work, May 2018. 3
labour market and inclusion that is accessible to all.7 High quality career guidance is beginning to be recognised as a significant factor in making VET more responsive, demand- driven and effective. 8 Therefore career support, prior to entering a VET programme, throughout it and after its completion, is needed to strengthen the outcomes of VET programmes. REPLAY-VET PROJECT provides valuable insights to VET and career planners, advisors and counsellors and can support a range of resources already used by the career guidance centres, specifically providing important information on opportunities and barriers for work and career within a range of sectors such as logistics, construction, early learning and care, home care, manufacturing, metallurgy and logistics. The findings resulted from a close participation with employers (through a series of Triple Helix groups) that informed the project’s lessons and recommendations for up-skilling also those individuals with low- qualification level and from disadvantaged backgrounds. The REPLAY-VET examples, ‘How to guides’9 and recommendations (see below) may be useful in signalling to job seekers, workers and parents and others where there may be opportunities for those with low skills or low qualifications across a range of employment sectors, allowing them to think out with the out-dated image of work in sector but rather focusing on long-term opportunities for training, development a fulfilling career. The findings are aligned with the move towards “lifelong learning”. As the EC (2017, White paper on the Future of Europe suggests: “Making the most of the new opportunities whilst mitigating any negative impact will require a massive investment in skills and a major rethink of education and lifelong learning systems”10. They are also consistent with “lifelong careers guidance” which encapsulates “a range of activities that enable citizens of any age, and at any point in their lives, to: identify their capacities, competences and interests; make meaningful educational, training and occupational decisions; and manage their individual life paths in learning, work and other settings in which these capacities and competences are learned and/or used.”11 This approach draws on principles of holistic approaches which incorporate the personal, social, cultural and economic context in the personalised VET information and guidance provided to promote equal opportunities in learning and work for all citizens, and enable an active involvement of learners in the process of their training. 7 Field, S. et al. (2009), Learning for Jobs: OECD Policy Review of Vocational Education and Training. Initial Report, OECD, Paris. 8 Watts, A. G., (2013) Career guidance and orientation (Chapter 7: pp. 241-267) in UNESCO-UNEVOC, Revisiting global trends in TVET. 9 For a list of ‘How To Guides’ see: http://www.replayvet.eu/en/themes/ 10 See, for example, The EC (2017) White paper on the Future of Europe https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/white-paper-future-europe_en ;the Lifelong Learning Platform http://lllplatform.eu/news/future-europe-learning-europe/ 11 The European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network (ELGPN) Tool No. 1 Lifelong Guidance Policy Development: A European Resource Kit (2011: pp.12-13). 4
Strengthening Key Competencies of Low-Skilled People in Vocational Education and Training to Cover Future Replacement Positions - REPLAY-VET Report Summary SUMMARY Outline of report This report highlights lessons and recommendations on improving the current and future labour market participation of low-skilled groups of workers across the European Union. These include: reducing barriers to vocational training; improving the attractiveness of jobs, careers and labour conditions associated with the sectors in which low-skilled/low-qualified people work; and advancing professionalisation in these sectors. Understanding changing labour market trends, including replacement demand and new demand for skills, is pivotal to the successful design of vocational education and work and employment policies for low-skilled people across Europe. The recommendations from the REPLAY-VET project underline: the critical importance of reinforcing links between education, training and the changing world of work in promoting effective labour market policies that better include low-skilled, low-qualified or disadvantaged people in the workforce; common lessons that may be useful across the EU, based on the project’s findings in different national/regional contexts; specific opportunities and constraints related to professional training and qualifications for low-skilled groups across the EU and across a range of sectors: construction (England, UK), home care (The Basque Country, Spain), early learning and care (Scotland, UK), logistics (Hesse, Germany), manufacturing (Lombardy, Italy; Czech Republic), and metallurgy and logistics (PACA, France). Key Themes Key themes have emerged from the REPLAY-VET project findings: Effective use of labour market information & intelligence Greater use of national and regional labour market indicators can help guide to develop targeted EU-wide training programmes as well as domestic and cross-border recruitment efforts. Improving the attractiveness of the sectors and rethinking approaches to recruiting and training Less attractive sectors with high labour demand and socio- economic potential can benefit from new approaches focused on improving training, work conditions and pay, as well as recruiting new types of workers from outside of the sector. Greater collaboration and cooperation Collaboration between national and regional public agencies and private or not-for-profit employers can help to develop and re- 5
brand a sector that is less attractive to recruits and to make lasting changes to working models and labour conditions. Clear communication of opportunities for career progression National sector-wide recruitment campaigns need support and better communicate the long-term career progression opportunities as well as the short-term working terms and conditions. Acknowledging the professional value of the full range of workers’ skills, including soft and social skills An important step, in differentiating the abilities required for effectively using new technologies and for addressing and satisfying demands for a well-qualified workforce, is the greater recognition of the value of soft skills, human interactions and social intelligence across all sectors and job levels. Diversity in the workplace, heterogeneous approaches to selection, recruitment and training Employers, educational institutions and trainers need to provide training, and routes into training, that are more tailored and suited to diverse sets of workers with varying skills, living conditions, levels of responsibilities and engagement, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and the low-skilled. Key Recommendations The following observations and lessons from the REPLAY-VET Project can help regional, national and EU-level policy makers develop better qualified workforces across different employment sectors: 1. Encourage greater use of labour market information and intelligence, exchange best practices at the European level and disseminate information to support the expansion of labour market opportunities for low-skilled people. Examples from the project on achieving this include: The new Heart of the South West LEP Policy report on Construction – incorporating the Labour Market Information identified and captured in this study12. Strengthen Regional Labour Market and Training Observatories. They are legitimate forums for the production of knowledge, particularly statistics, with strong links with the wider research community.13 Provide career counsellors with a concise handy overview of the most suitable retraining choices to be recommended to 12 For more information see How-to-Guide UK, England: ‘Policymakers: Supporting the long term unemployed back into work or Skills utilisation and strategic approaches to drive up employer demand for low skilled and disadvantaged groups’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/construction/ 13 For more information see How-to-Guide France: ‘New competences and new skills brought by the technological change’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/metallurgy-sector/ 6
their clients in danger of unemployment, with regard to the labour market situation in the given region.14 2. Ensure comprehensive training, high participation and labour market insertion through better adaptation of training activities and skills development programmes to the diverse needs of low- skilled people. Examples from the project on achieving this include: Establish more efficient paths to qualifications and employment, such as accelerated qualification programmes, recognition of foreign qualifications and programmes designed to support lateral-entry recruitment.15 Increase awareness of available funding and subsidies for training through coordinated promotion by funding agents and training providers.16 Promote work-based learning periods long enough to allow effective knowledge and skills transfer. Support learning providers to establish work-based learning agreements with companies, ideally at least 22 weeks in some sectors.17 Facilitate flexibility on training and professional accreditation, for example through non-formal learning or “Bite size" training18 Promote job-insertion companies to assist with the social and occupational insertion of low-skilled people already, in or at risk of, social exclusion.19 Prioritise the development of transversal and soft skills in training courses and in school programmes to ensure greater employability.20 Address multiple issues that low-skilled people often face by incorporating holistic, complex skills and non-skills related measures21. 14 For more information see How-to-Guide Czech Republic: ‘Career Guidance information tool’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/manufacturing-sector/manufacturing-cz/ 15 For more information see How-to-Guide Germany: ‘Strategic approaches to improve employees retention and training in the Logistics Sector’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/logistics-sector/logistics-sector-de/ 16 For more information see How-to-Guide Germany: ‘Strategic approaches to improve employees retention and training in the Logistics Sector’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/logistics-sector/logistics-sector-de/ 17 For more information see How-to-Guide France: ‘New competences and new skills brought by the technological change’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/logistics-sector/logistics-sector-fr/ 18 For more information see How-to-Guide Basque Country: ‘Strategic approaches to adapt the training to the needs of the low-skilled workers’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/social-care-sector/ 19 For more information see How-to-Guide Basque Country: ‘Strategic approaches to adapt the training to the needs of the low-skilled unemployed’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/social-care-sector/ 20 For more information see How-to-Guide Italy: ‘New competences and new skills brought by the technological change or Support low-skilled workers in training to cover the need of the industry’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/manufacturing-sector/manufacturing-sector-it/ 21 For more information see How-to-Guide Czech Republic ‘Complex approach to increase the employability of socially excluded, low skilled people’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/manufacturing-sector/manufacturing-cz/ 7
3. Support flexible and innovative proposals and pilot projects, involving regional provision and support, to increase the effectiveness of skills acquisition amongst low-skilled people entering or already in the sector. Examples from the project on achieving this include: The ‘Building Plymouth’ construction good practice in Heart of the South West Region (UK)22. Create a permanent working group with all the key players to establish a strategy to move the sector forward along with specific courses of action for these group profiles.23 Raise the awareness of the importance of digital skills in the changing labour market. This initiative should be addressed to both workers and SMEs, for example through a system of "Bonus Training" that finances participation in training activities, and the implemented on the model of "Bonus Culture" - a system of certification of skills and gamification of training activities.24 4. Improve the attractiveness of sectors with future employment opportunities and develop and communicate clearly the long-term career opportunities and pathways that they offer, in order to attract high quality, dedicated workers. Examples from the project on achieving this include: Developing a multi-partner strategy to attract a more diverse workforce and enhance career opportunities.25 Improving ‘Fair work’ conditions and professional status of the sector.26 Encourage positive action in sectors with a large gender gap from the start of guidance about training, developing arguments, support material and awareness actions for the career advisors.27 22 For more information see How-to-Guide UK, England: ‘Policymakers: Supporting the long term unemployed back into work or Skills utilisation and strategic approaches to drive up employer demand for low skilled and disadvantaged groups’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/construction/ 23 For more information see How-to-guide Spain, Basque Country: ‘Strategic approaches to adapt public aid and programmes for a greater participation of the low-skilled people in the sectors’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/social-care-sector/ 24 For more information see How-to-Guide Italy: ‘New competences and new skills brought by the technological change or Support low-skilled workers in training to cover the need of the industry’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/manufacturing-sector/manufacturing-sector-it/ 25 For more information see How-to-Guide UK, Scotland: ‘Developing strategic action plans for skills among low skilled people in the Early Learning and Childcare sector’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/early-learning-and-care-sector/ 26 For more information see How-to-Guide UK, Scotland: ‘Strategic change approaches to overcoming the perceived low status of Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector and increasing its attractiveness to the low-qualified people’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/early-learning-and-care-sector/ 27 For more information see How-to-guide Spain, Basque Country: ‘Strategic approaches to increase the attractiveness of the sector for the low skilled people’ http://www.replayvet.eu/en/sectors/social-care-sector/ 8
Full report at: http://www.regionallabourmarketmonitoring.net/replayvet_project.htm This Guide prepared by Dr Aleksandra Webb and Professor Ronald McQuaid, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK. About the Project REPLAY-VET is a 2-year seven partners-project led by Prospektiker (Spain) funded by the Erasmus + Programme. It responds to Europe’s pressing need to tackle replacement demand caused by an ageing workforce and a persistently low level of skilled workers affecting many economic sectors. The project has used a network of expert labour market analysts to explore what new policy and practices will need to exist if Europe is to tackle replacement demand priority new and in the future. The project focused on groups with low skill/qualification levels, those economically inactive and often outside of the employment. The work has resulted in a series of workshops and stakeholders’ exchange events (with involvement of Employment and Training and other Social Policy-Makers, Education and Training Providers, Career Guidance Professionals, Employers, Public Authorities and Agencies, Workers and Trade Unions) and written output such as national and sectorial reports, ‘How To’ guides and a toolkit. For more information on the project visit: http://www.regionallabourmarketmonitoring.net/replayvet_project.htm The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. ANNEX – HOW TO GUIDES Find your how-to-guide by theme: SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTITUDES EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS: MOTIVATION, ATTITUDE, PERSISTENCE, PASSION, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PREPAREDNESS. Policymakers: Supporting the long term unemployed back into work Complex approach to increase the employability of socially excluded low skilled people NEED TO ADAPT QUALIFICATIONS TO EMBRACE NEW TECHNIQUES: IMPROVING VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND KEEPING THEM UP-TO-DATE WITH REGARD TO TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS. Career guidance information tool Support low-skilled workers in training to cover the need of the industry LACK OF APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATES / LICENSES 9
Strategic approaches to adapt training to low-skilled workers in the strategic sectors SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE Strategic approaches to increase the digital skills level of the low skilled people Career guidance information tool Support low-skilled workers in training to cover the need of the industry LACK OF WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW SKILLED PEOPLE (LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES ON APPRENTICESHIPS ETC) Strategic approaches to improve the existing training offer for low wkilled people SECTOR ATTRACTIVENESS SUPPORTING GENDER DIVERSITY Overcoming the perceived low status of a sector and increasing its attractiveness to the low-qualified people TERRITORIAL AND ECONOMIC STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO DEVELOP EMPLOYABILITY AND RETENTION OF WORKERS IN A SECTOR Policymakers: Supporting the long term unemployed back into work New competences and new skills brought by the technological change Strategic approaches to improve recruitment, training and on-boarding Strategic approaches to adapt public aid and programmes to greater participation by low-skilled people in the sectors Developing a strategic action plan for skills among low qualified people Skills utilisation and strategic approaches to drive up employer demand for low skilled and disadvantaged groups HOW TO INCREASE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND EMPLOYER DEMAND FOR WORKERS (WHERE CURRENTLY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LOW SKILLED PEOPLE ENTERING THE SECTOR) Skills utilisation and strategic approaches to drive up employer demand for low skilled and disadvantaged groups REGULARISATION OF ACTIVITIES (CONTROL) AND GENERAL UPSKILLING OF PROFESSIONALS Strategic approaches to increase the attractiveness of the sector for the low skilled people IMPROVE THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF THE SECTOR TO OVERCOME A PERCEIVED ‘LACK OF ATTRACTIVENESS’ TO POTENTIAL ENTRANTS Strategic approaches to increase the attractiveness of the sector for the low skilled people New competences and new skills brought by the technological change Strategic approaches to improve recruitment, training and on-boarding Overcoming the perceived low status of a sector and increasing its attractiveness to the low-qualified people Strategic approaches to improve employee retention and training EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION FOR CAREERS COUNSELLORS Career guidance information tool ENCOURAGING SELF-EMPLOYMENT Strategic approaches to increase the attractiveness of the sector for the low skilled people TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW SKILLED PEOPLE: MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING TRAINING OFFER 10
THE LACK OF SUITABLE DIDACTIC METHODOLOGIES AND THE NEED FOR TAILORED SOLUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALISED (PERSON-CENTRED) APPROACHES Complex approach to increase the employability of socially excluded low skilled people Strategic approaches to improve the existing training offer for low skilled people Skills utilisation and strategic approaches to drive up employer demand for low skilled and disadvantaged groups TARGETED APPROACH TO SUPPORT SOCIALLY EXCLUDED PEOPLE Policymakers: Supporting the long term unemployed back into work Complex approach to increase the employability of socially excluded low skilled people FLEXIBLE DELIVERY – OVERCOMING PROBLEMS WITH TRAINING NOT BEING AVAILABLE AT THE RIGHT TIME OR PLACE Strategic approaches to adapt training to low-skilled workers in the strategic sectors COHERENT TRAINING ITINERARY Strategic approaches to adapt training in the sector for the low-skilled unemployed ENSURING TRAINING REACHES LOW-SKILLED PEOPLE IN WORK (WHO OFTEN MISS OUT ON TRAINING AND CPD) Strategic approaches to adapt training to low-skilled workers in the strategic sectors PARTICIPATION OF COMPANIES IN INITIAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND WORK- BASED TRAINING Strategic approaches to improve the existing training offer for low skilled people Support low-skilled workers in training to cover the need of the industry BETTER STRATEGIES FOR WORKER RETENTION Developing a strategic action plan for skills among low qualified people Strategic approaches to improve employee retention and training HOW TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION OF LOW SKILLED PEOPLE IN TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Strategic approaches to improve recruitment, training and on-boarding Strategic approaches to adapt training in the sector for the low-skilled unemployed BETTER COORDINATION BETWEEN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIAL PARTNERS Strategic approaches to adapt public aid and programmes to greater participation by low-skilled people in the sectors PROMOTION OF INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMES Strategic approaches to adapt public aid and programmes to greater participation by low-skilled people in the sectors LIFELONG LEARNING TO ADDRESS SKILLS GAPS New competences and new skills brought by the technological change Strategic approaches to increase the digital skills level of the low skilled people 11
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