Level: NATIONAL
Ireland
The Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) operates under SOLAS and provides labour market and skills research, data and analysis for SOLAS and the Research Group on Future Skills Needs. Reports: http://www.solas.ie/Pages/ResearchAndPublications.aspx. In recent years all substantive analytical reports have been complemented by infographics conveying key trends, figures and messages in an easy-to-read manner, such as for example: http://www.solas.ie/SolasPdfLibrary/NSB%20infographic.pdf. The SLMRU is a key but not unique contributor to the skills eco-system of Ireland. The National Skills Council reviews and debates the insights and trends produced by SLMRU, which are interpreted by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and complemented by skills and occupational information gathered at the regional level by the Regional Skills Fora. These sources were combined to allow the National Skills Council to propose actions and policies (Figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1: Ireland: eco-system of skills needs identification
Figure 2: The National Skills Council: identification of skills needs
Estonia
OSKA operates under the umbrella of the National Qualifications Authority. On the OSKA website users can find data and analysis on future trends in work, employment and skills by sectors, as well as methodology. Details and publications at: https://oska.kutsekoda.ee/en/
Czech Republic
The National Training Fund – National Observatory of Employment and Training.
National Training Fund (NTF) is a non-profit organisation that has been operating since 1994. Its aim is to promote the development and restructuring of human resources in accordance with the requirements of economic and social reforms in the Czech Republic.
The organisation provides the following services:
(a) Professional, scientific-research and consulting services for human resource development in the following areas:
• lifelong learning, particularly in further general and professional education;
• employment policy, generally and also focused on reducing barriers to access for disadvantaged groups in the labour market;
• social policy, social services, including quality of service management;
• global factors influencing the development of a knowledge-based economy.
(b) The preparation, organisation, administration, evaluation, monitoring and control of programmes and projects funded from public and private sources, especially in the area of cooperation with the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation.
(c) Analyses and prediction of labour market skill needs: analyses of the quality of human resources in relation to the competitiveness of the economy, sectors and regions.
(d) Carrying out research activities.
Full details can be found at: http://en.nvf.cz/
France
France Stratégie is the overarching national institution responsible for strategy and foresight, operating under the umbrella of Prime Minister’s office. Its analytical and forecasting activities cover a range of sectors and various dimensions and drivers of development (e.g. 'France in 10 Years'); sustainable development and technology; greening of the economy; society and the labour market and employment. For more information see: http://www.strategie.gouv.fr/. In the domain of employment and skills, France Stratégie is in charge of the country's long-term skills forecasting exercise. The new 'Forecast of occupations and qualifications 2030' is underway, and France Stratégie has joined forces with other analytical bodies, such as DARES, to reflect on the many conceptual and methodological issues and dilemmas raised by the new forecast, which is being carried out at a time of intense transformation caused by automation, digitisation, changing societal and demographic trends, climate change and greening policies. The results of the 'Forecast 2022' are available at: https://www.strategie.gouv.fr/publications/metiers-2022-prospective-metiers-qualifications. France Stratégie supports a new initiative: 'Network Employment-Skills' (Réseau Emplois Compétences: REC), established on the recommendation of the Great Social Conference of 2013 and aimed at promoting common expertise and methods in terms of labour market and skills intelligence (observation and anticipation). A Strategic Committee and a Steering Committee manage REC’s activities, while REC organises its activities into four working groups: (1) forecasts (making regional, sectoral and employment projections); (2) transversal and transferable skills: identifying factors promoting professional mobility; (3) training and recruitment needs; and (4) seasonal employment. In addition, Céreq is the main French Research Centre on Qualifications. Amongst other actions, Céreq supports analysis, systematisation and information-sharing on the activities and profiles of the Observatories of Occupations Qualifications and Skills (OPMQCs) – the sectoral observatories presented below. In 2010 Céreq surveyed 126 OPMQCs, resulting in the publication of several reports. A key conclusion of this analysis was that addressing the challenges faced by the OPMQCs should be considered a priority. Reports and Briefing notes based on this survey are available at: http://www.cereq.fr/publications/Bref/Les-observatoires-prospectifs-des-metiers-et-des-qualifications-des-outils-pour-agir
Tunisia
The Observatory of Employment and Qualifications (ONEQ) operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Employment and VET and has long-standing experience in conducting surveys and analysis on diverse aspects of labour market and skills dynamics. ONEQ’s research contributes to monitoring the effectiveness of labour market and employment policies. Its products are targeted at policy institutions, rather than end-users such as learners, employers and career guidance professionals. See: http://www.emploi.gov.tn/lobservatoire/