Description
Country
Focus area
The Employer Survey on Skill Needs aims to collect and analyse up-to-date information about the occupations, competencies, knowledge and skills of the workforce needed by employers. The information collected refers to the demand for labour, both in the coming 12 months and for the next 3-5 years. Presently, the survey questionnaire also includes questions concerning the impact of COVID-19 on labour demand.
Link
Reference/weblink
Implementation level
At what level is the initiative implemented?
National
Legal base
Legal base (E.g. Law, regulation, implementing provision, other)
The Employer Survey on Skill Needs is conducted based on Art. 10, Par. 2 of the Employment Promotion Act.
Weblink: https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/1/legislation/employment-promoti…
Weblink: https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/1/legislation/employment-promoti…
Starting period
TIMESPAN: In what year did the initiative commence?
The Employer Survey on Skill Needs has been conducted since on a semi-annual basis since February 2018. The last available survey results are from the survey conducted in September – October 2020.
Perspective
PERSPECTIVE: is the initiative based on evidence derived from skill forecasts or foresight activities?
The initiative is based on foresight activities about the future needs of employers of workforce with certain characteristics (knowledge, skills and competences) both in the short (12 months) and medium term (3-5 years).
Policy area
To which POLICY AREAS(s) does the initiative apply?
Funding
How it is funded?
Funded by national government
Funded by the State Budget as per the provisions of the Employment Promotion Act
Skill mismatch
Skill mismatch target
What type(s) of skills MISMATCH does the initiative aim to addresses?
Skill shortages (employers cannot fill their vacancies due to a lack of skills in the labour market)
Skill gaps (worker's skills are below the level of proficiency required by their employers and jobs)
Skills matching focus
How does the initiative address skills mismatches?
The survey questionnaire addressing occupational and sectoral skill shortages
4000 employers are surveyed from all economic sectors in all 28 NUTS III districts
Methods
Methods
What methods of undertaking skills assessments and / or skills anticipation does the policy instrument utilise?
Employer surveys
The initiative encompasses skill surveys, conducted among employers
Use of skills intelligence
How is labour market information / skills intelligence used within the initiative?
The survey results are used for in the process of VET governance at regional and national level by providing valuable information for determining the annual secondary education admission plans.
Stakeholders
Main responsible body
Main body or organisation with overall responsibility for the initiative.
National agency
National Employment Agency
Other involved organisations
Which other organisations have a role in the initiative?
National ministry
Involved in the design of the initiative
Social partner: employer organisation
Involved through the Employment Committees at the Regional Development Councils
Social partner: trade union
Involved through the Employment Committees at the Regional Development Councils
Regional PES
Involved through the Employment Committees at the Regional Development Councils
Chambers of Commerce
Involved through the Employment Committees at the Regional Development Councils
Other
Involved through the Employment Committees at the Regional Development Councils
Beneficiaries
Who are the intended beneficiaries?
Young people making the transition from education into work
Benefitted through making use of the VET adaptations on the basis of the survey results
Young people with low levels of basic skills /early leavers from education or training
Benefitted through making use of the VET adaptations on the basis of the survey results
Adults with low basic skills
Benefitted through making use of the VET adaptations on the basis of the survey results
Adults in employment with upskilling potential
Benefitted through making use of the VET adaptations on the basis of the survey results
Adults in employment with reskilling potential
Benefitted through making use of the VET adaptations on the basis of the survey results
Sustainability
Success factors
SUCCESS FACTORS in the implementation
The main factor for the success of the initiative is the active support of the Employment Committees at the Regional Development Councils which ensures involvement of all key stakeholders at regional level, incl. social partners, chambers of commerce, regional and local governments, etc.
Monitoring and evaluation
MONITORING and EVALUATION: Is progress measured regularly? What are the indicators used to measure progress of the policy instrument? Have any evaluations been conducted?
The main indicator used to measure progress is the number of employers involved in the survey. Information on this is provided in survey report delivered on a semi-annual basis.
Updates
UPDATES: whether there have been any major updates of the initiative since it has been implemented?
Yes
The questionnaire for the last survey conducted in September-October 2020 was expanded to include questions concerning the impact of COVID-19 on labour demand.
Effectiveness
EVIDENCE ON EFFECTIVENESS: How effective is the policy instrument?
As per the annual Employment Action Plans, the Employer Survey on Skill Needs results are among the factors, being considered in the process of determining the annual admission plans for the system of secondary education at reginal and national level.
Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY: How sustainable is the policy instrument? Do you expect the instrument to continue over the next few years and why?
The Employer Survey on Skill Needs is likely to continue in the future as it is funded by the State Budget, whereas skills anticipation is a national priority.
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