CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the information contained in the report submitted by the Government of Aruba for the period May 1993 to May 2002, received in June 2002. It would appreciate receiving further information on the following points.

Article 1, paragraphs 1 to 4, of the Convention. Please provide information on the way in which effective coordination is assured and the manner in which the policies and programmes are linked with employment and the public employment service.

Article 1, paragraph 5. Please indicate the measures taken to encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without discrimination, to develop and use their capabilities for work.

Article 2. Please describe the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training.

Article 3, paragraph 1. The Government states that policies and laws have not given the handicapped and disabled their due attention, and that it will make every effort to improve this shortcoming. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of progress in making vocational guidance and vocational training services accessible to persons with disabilities.

Article 3, paragraphs 2 and 3. Please describe the type of information provided in vocational guidance, and indicate how this information is kept suitably up to date.

Article 4. In reply to previous comments, the Government states that intermediate professional education provides higher level professional education. The Government is considering reintroducing loans for study abroad if the field of study is not offered in Aruba, and if there is a demand in the labour market for such skills. Vocational education is also provided to adults by education for employment. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on the measures taken to extend the system of vocational training to cover additional fields of economic activity, taking into consideration the needs of the economy.

Article 5. The Government states in reply to previous comments that the Council for Education and Labour (CELA) was established in 1999 to investigate and research education standards required to meet the needs of the labour market. Members of CELA include the Federation of Workers of Aruba and representatives of various industries. The Committee notes this information and asks the Government to continue to supply information on how the findings of CELA are taken into account in the review and modification of policies and programmes related to vocational training and guidance.

Part VI of the report form. The Committee notes the report from CELA of its findings in 2001. It requests the Government to continue providing any subsequent reports issued by CELA. It also requests statistics on the number of participants in training and vocational guidance programmes.