9 June, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. According to operational data, the state employment service directed over 11.7 thousand unemployed individuals to vocational training, retraining, and skill enhancement programmes in January-May of the current year. As reported to BELTA correspondent by the Main Department of Employment Policy and Demographics of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Belarus, this represents a 5.4% increase compared to January-May 2009.
Among the regions, the largest number of unemployed individuals were directed to vocational training over the five months of the current year in the Gomel and Vitebsk regions (2 thousand and 1.9 thousand people, respectively), while the smallest number receiving a "voucher" for vocational training was in Minsk (1.1 thousand).
In Belarus, the opportunity to acquire a new specialty or improve existing skills was provided to 8.9% of the total number of unemployed individuals seeking employment in January-April of the current year (in January-May 2009, this figure was 8.7%). The training of skilled workers is carried out taking into account the needs of employers and production requirements.
According to specialists, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in conjunction with interested parties, has prepared proposals to increase the stipend for citizens directed to vocational training by labour, employment, and social protection bodies. The relevant draft decree has been reviewed by the Council of Ministers and is currently under consideration by the Constitutional Court. In particular, it is proposed to increase the maximum stipend amount from 3 to 4 base amounts (from Br105 thousand to Br140 thousand), and the minimum from 1 to 1.5 base amounts (from Br35 thousand to Br52.5 thousand).
It should be noted that vocational training significantly enhances the competitiveness of workers: more than half of those who acquired a specialty or improved their qualifications find employment. Incidentally, as of June 1 of the current year, 8.5 thousand people were undergoing training under the direction of the state employment service, and 11.2 thousand people completed vocational training in January-May. It is reminded that, in accordance with the legislation, an individual is removed from unemployment registration during the period of training.
As previously reported by BELTA, the volume of vocational training for the unemployed and the funding for these purposes have been significantly increased in 2010. At least 26.3 thousand unemployed individuals will be directed to vocational training this year. Of the total number of those who will receive a "voucher" for vocational training, no less than 45% will acquire a specialty based on specific employer requests with a guarantee of subsequent employment. Priority in vocational training will be given to unemployed individuals under 21 years of age, those seeking work for the first time and without a profession – at least 80% of the registered number. Priority is also maintained for orphans and unemployed individuals of conscription age.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection noted that over Br103.3 million is allocated in 2010 for compensating employers' costs for vocational training of employees subject to dismissal due to the liquidation of an organisation, termination of an individual entrepreneur's activity, reduction in the number or staff of employees, as well as for newly hired citizens who have been released by another employer or are seeking work for the first time. -0-
BELTA