In Belarus, at least 4.6% of those in need of employment will be directed to vocational training during the current five-year period. At least 45% of the unemployed, out of the total number who received a "voucher" from the employment service for vocational training, will undergo training, retraining, and skill enhancement based on employer requests with a guarantee of subsequent employment. These new target indicators are contained in the subprogram "Employment Promotion" of the State Program for Social Protection and Employment Promotion for 2016-2020, as reported to BelTA correspondent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
In Belarus, at least 4.6% of those in need of employment will be directed to vocational training during the current five-year period. At least 45% of the unemployed, out of the total number who received a "voucher" from the employment service for vocational training, will undergo training, retraining, and skill enhancement based on employer requests with a guarantee of subsequent employment. These new target indicators are contained in the subprogram "Employment Promotion" of the State Program for Social Protection and Employment Promotion for 2016-2020, as reported to BelTA correspondent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
A total of almost Br300 billion is planned to be allocated for the vocational training of the unemployed in 2016-2020, with about Br50 billion allocated this year. These financial resources are intended for organising training for various categories of the population, including those subject to or already released from employment; first-time job seekers; negligent parents (obligated to reimburse state expenses for the upkeep of children in educational institutions); individuals engaged in labour by the administrations of the penal system institutions and therapeutic labour dispensaries, etc. Priority will be given to training the unemployed who are particularly in need of social protection and are unable to compete on equal terms in the labour market, as well as those women and men who are caring for children under the age of three.
Over the past five years, more than 63,000 unemployed individuals in Belarus have had the opportunity to undergo vocational training, retraining, and skills enhancement. According to specialists, the list of professions (specialties) for training the unemployed is constantly changing, taking into account labour market demands, with a primary focus on blue-collar occupations. In January-February of the current year, 2,100 people received employment service vouchers for vocational training.
As previously reported by BELTA, it is proposed to supplement the Law on Population Employment with a provision allowing for the compensation of employers' expenses (in full or in part) for training employees at risk of redundancy. Proactive training is crucial in the context of economic modernization and the difficult financial situation of some enterprises. Employees who become redundant in a particular production process should not be left without employment; they need to be retrained for occupations in demand on the labour market.
The possibility of a unique form of proactive training is also envisaged for those on childcare leave for children under three years of age. Under the current law, they (predominantly mothers of young children) are considered employed and cannot be registered as unemployed, consequently, they cannot be directed for training at the expense of the Social Protection Fund of the population. The introduction of the new provision will expand opportunities for citizens caring for children under three years of age to acquire a profession and enhance their competitiveness in the labour market. Without interrupting childcare duties, women will be able to obtain a voucher from the state employment service for vocational training, retraining, skills enhancement, or short courses under the conditions applicable to the unemployed. This will increase their chances of finding employment after returning from maternity leave and ensure their prompt re-engagement in the workforce.
The draft law outlines the obligations of citizens undergoing vocational training directed by state employment service bodies. "Trainees" must approach the acquisition of educational programmes conscientiously and responsibly, attend classes regularly, and adhere to the internal regulations for trainees.