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1. The Committee notes the reply provided by the Government of Aruba, received in October 2003, to its 2002 direct request. It would appreciate being kept informed of any developments to ensure the operation of open, flexible and complementary systems of general, technical and vocational education (Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention) as well as on the measures taken in relation to the recommendations formulated by the Committee for Adult Education established in April 2002. Please also refer in the next report to the following points.

2. Article 1, paragraphs 1-4, of the Convention. The Government indicates that individuals lacking certain work skills are referred to the courses provided by the Education for Employment. Upon completion of the course, the individual is recommended to update his or her information at the Labour Department. It also indicates that because there is no automatic sharing of information it is the responsibility of the individual to inform the different departments of his or her status and progress. The Committee refers to its 2003 direct request on the application of Articles 1 and 2 of the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88), and hopes that in its next report the Government will be able to include information on the efforts made in order to achieve a more effective coordination between policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training and their link with employment and the public employment service.

3. Article 1, paragraph 5. The Committee notes with interest the statement made by the Government in the sense that all legal residents in Aruba may take advantage of all vocational training programmes available, regardless of the individual’s gender, physical limitation, national origin, financial status or social class. It hopes that the Government will update information in its next reports on the measures taken to encourage and enable all persons, on an equal basis and without discrimination, to develop and use their capabilities for work.

4. Article 3, paragraph 1. The Committee appreciates the indication provided in relation to the programmes implemented by FAVI and FEPO. It hopes that the Government will continue to report on any progress in making vocational guidance and vocational training services accessible to persons with disabilities.

5. Article 5. The Government states that the Council for Education and Labour (CELA) has been inactive and that it hopes to bring new life to the CELA by the next reporting period. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on any measures being taken with a view to ensuring the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes.

6. The Committee notes with interest the statistical information on the activities of the Education for Employment over 2001 and 2002 and hopes that in its next report the Government will continue to provide practical information on the application of the Convention.