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Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Antigua and Barbuda (RATIFICATION: 2002)

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Articles 1 and 5 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. Lifelong learning. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the formulation and implementation of vocational training and vocational guidance policies and programmes, as well as on the practical application of the Convention. The Government reports that the National Training Agency (NTA), the entity responsible for implementation of the national vocational education and training policy, inaugurated a draft Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy, in conjunction with the ILO. Subsequently, a consultant was engaged by the Ministry of Education to develop the national TVET policy. The consultant used the contents of the draft initiated by the NTA and presented a report to the relevant stakeholders in May 2017. Subsequently, in January 2018, consultations were held in which the consultant presented a draft of the national TVET policy and accompanying action plan to the stakeholders for discussion. Concerns were expressed by the stakeholders regarding responsibility for implementing the policy, given that the tenures of the NTA members were coming to an end in March 2018. The Committee notes that the Minister of Labour was expected to appoint a new NTA board. The Committee notes that the draft policy dated May 2017, communicated together with the Government’s report, sets out the background and objectives of the review of the TVET system between 2017 and 2018, indicating that the main goal of the policy is to provide a framework to strengthen and maintain a quality TVET sector in the country. The situation analysis undertaken in the context of this review revealed a number of challenges, including gender stereotyping in skills development. The Committee notes that this information was used to develop a gender-responsive draft TVET policy and action plan. It further notes that, according to the draft national policy of May 2017, the policy is underpinned by a set of values and principles, including equity, accessibility, responsiveness, sustainability, adaptability, quality, inclusiveness and relevance. To achieve its objectives, the policy is centred on the themes of quality assurance, governance and management, partnership and collaboration, sustainable financing, lifelong learning, training and certification, marketing and promotion and labour market information. In respect of training for the TVET sector, the Government indicates that, in June 2017, technical and vocational training was provided to over 30 (thirty) teachers, conducted by the Ministry of Education and facilitated by specialists from Trinidad and Tobago. The Committee requests the Government to provide information as to whether the members of the NTA board have indeed been appointed as planned. The Committee further requests the Government to provide updated information on the finalization and adoption of the National Technical Vocation and Education policy and to provide a copy once it is adopted. It also requests the Government to communicate updated information on the status and activities of the NTA. The Government is also requested to provide detailed information, including statistics disaggregated by sex and age, on the impact of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes on access to lasting employment. The Committee further requests the Government to indicate the manner in which it is ensured that vocational guidance, training and lifelong learning are available to all young persons and adults, including specific groups of workers that may encounter obstacles in entering or remaining in the labour market, such as women, young persons, older workers, persons with disabilities and the long-term unemployed.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments initially made in 2014.

Repetition

Article 1(1) and (2) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the Government’s report, received in September 2014, indicating that the setting up of the National Training Agency and the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education are new initiatives and that, therefore, no substantial work in terms of policy guidelines has yet been done. The Committee notes that the Government seeks technical assistance in designing policies and programmes to guide vocational training in Antigua and Barbuda and to this end requests technical assistance from the ILO in developing the National Training Agency.

The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), in which it requests the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities. The Committee requests the Government to provide, in its next report on Convention No. 142, updated information on the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. It encourages the Government to take the necessary steps to obtain ILO technical assistance in this regard. The Committee hopes that the Government’s report will include detailed information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice.

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Article 1(1) and (2) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the Government’s report, received in September 2014, indicating that the setting up of the National Training Agency and the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education are new initiatives and that, therefore, no substantial work in terms of policy guidelines has yet been done. The Committee notes that the Government seeks technical assistance in designing policies and programmes to guide vocational training in Antigua and Barbuda and to this end requests technical assistance from the ILO in developing the National Training Agency.

The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), in which it requests the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities. The Committee requests the Government to provide, in its next report on Convention No. 142, updated information on the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. It encourages the Government to take the necessary steps to obtain ILO technical assistance in this regard. The Committee hopes that the Government’s report will include detailed information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice.

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Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2013 in reply to its 2009 direct request. The Government indicates that the National Training Agency has not been able to carry out its mandate due to a lack of a proper structure and inadequate personnel. It also indicates that no substantial work in terms of policy guidelines has been done. Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that it is seeking technical assistance in designing policies and programmes to guide vocational training in Antigua and Barbuda. In this regard, the Committee reminds the Government that it may seek technical assistance from the ILO. The Committee refers to its comments on the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and hopes that the Government will provide further information in its next report on Convention No. 142 on the policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training being implemented. It also hopes that the Government will provide information on the manner in which the information required by Article 3 is made available by the National Training Agency, including information on the procedures and machinery in place to ensure that the educational, occupational, employment and other information is kept suitably up to date for effective vocational guidance purposes.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2014.]

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The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention received in July 2008. The Committee also notes the adoption of the National Training Agency Act and the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education Act in 2008. The Committee asks the Government to provide more practical information on the policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training being implemented by the National Training Agency and Institute of Continuing Education. In this regard, the Government is also requested to forward extracts of reports, studies and inquiries, and statistical data with respect to training policies and programmes relating to particular areas or branches of economic activity or to particular groups of the population (Part VI of the report form).

Article 3 of the Convention. Vocational training information. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there were no specific arrangements to address Article 3. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that section 6(1)(h) of the National Training Agency Act provides that the National Training Agency functions are to “develop and maintain a register of national training facilities and resources, national dictionary of occupations, including self‑employment, skill profiles for existing projected occupational opportunities, learning and training materials such as training manuals, information booklets, learning packages, self-learning packages and audiovisual packages, information on the supply and availability of various skills and on skills requirements of various trades, industries and technologies”. The Committee asks the Government to provide practical information on the manner in which the information required by Article 3 is made available by the National Training Agency, including information on the procedures and machinery in place to ensure that the educational, occupational, employment and other information is kept suitably up to date for effective vocational guidance purposes.