Description
Country
Focus area
The OSKA system creates a cooperation platform, which enables the exchange of information between employers and training providers and educational institutions to comprehensively analyse the growth potential of different economic sectors and their needs, and to facilitate the planning of education provision at different levels of education and by types of school, as well as in the fields of retraining and in-service training.
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 regulatory framework for OSKA is provided in the Estonian Professions
Act
Act
Starting period
TIMESPAN: In what year did the initiative commence?
01.01.2015-ongoing
Perspective
PERSPECTIVE: is the initiative based on evidence derived from skill forecasts or foresight activities?
The task of the Sectoral Expert Panels is to prepare forecasts of labour requirements and skills in OSKA sectors and it brings together the experts from among job creators, schools and public authorities. In general, the Sectoral Expert Panels have a deep insight into each sector and propose suggestions which may be addressed to a wide range of stakeholders, e.g. training providers, curricula developers. The outputs of the OSKA programme and activities are in the form of annual in-depth reports on individual economic sectors
Policy area
To which POLICY AREAS(s) does the initiative apply?
Funding
How it is funded?
Funded by national government
Funded by the EU
ESF
Skill mismatch
Skill mismatch target
What type(s) of skills MISMATCH does the initiative aim to addresses?
Other
The OSKA system is designed to analyse and forecast labour and skills needs for Estonia's economic development over the next 10 years. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis are conducted.
Skills matching focus
How does the initiative address skills mismatches?
The OSKA system provides information on how many people and with what skills are need in the labour market today and tomorrow.
The OSKA system provides information on where and how to acquire skills demanded in the labour market
The OSKA system provides information on where and how to acquire skills demanded in the labour market
The OSKA system provides information on how many people and with what skills are need in the labour market today and tomorrow.
The OSKA system provides also sectoral studies.
The OSKA system supports the education and training policies in better meetings the future needs
Methods
Methods
What methods of undertaking skills assessments and / or skills anticipation does the policy instrument utilise?
Skills forecasting
The forecast for 5-10 years horizon are produced
Expert panels
OSKA has sectoral expert panels composed of representatives of employers, education institutions and policy makers
Other
OSKA conducts also quantitative analysis by using data from relevant registers and surveys and labour demand forecasts prepared by the Ministry of Economics.
Use of skills intelligence
How is labour market information / skills intelligence used within the initiative?
Use of sectoral reports and information provided on employment, occupations and skills
Use of sectoral reports and information provided on employment, occupations and skills
Estonian Qualifications Authority uses OSKA intelligence when developing qualification standards
VET and HE institutions can use OSKA intelligence when planning new and developing existing curricula
Use of sectoral reports and information provided on employment, occupations and skills
Use of sectoral reports and information provided on employment, occupations and skills
Use of sectoral reports and information provided on employment, occupations and skills
VET and HE institutions, policy makers and career specialists can have a broad use OSKA intelligence, such as sectoral reports and information provided on employment, occupations and skills
Stakeholders
Main responsible body
Main body or organisation with overall responsibility for the initiative.
National agency
Estonian Qualifications Authority
Other involved organisations
Which other organisations have a role in the initiative?
National ministry
Ministry of Education and Research and several other ministries are members of the OSKA Coordination Council
National agency
National agencies can be involved as OSKA advisors or in sectoral expert panels.
Social partner: employer organisation
The Estonian Employer's Confederation is a member of the OSKA Coordination Council
Social partner: trade union
The Estonian Trade Union confederation is a member of the OSKA Coordination Council
Chambers of Commerce
The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a member of the OSKA Coordination Council
Training Providers
Training providers can be involved as OSKA advisors or in sectoral expert panels.
Research centres, universities
Research centres and universities can be involved as OSKA advisors or in sectoral expert panels.
Beneficiaries
Who are the intended beneficiaries?
Other
Policy makers and implementers, VET and HE institutions and career specialists are among main target groups of OSKA
Sustainability
Success factors
SUCCESS FACTORS in the implementation
When building the programme, positive examples, advice and lessons learned from other countries were taken into account. There is cooperation between all stakeholders (regular, planned meetings; specific work schedule), and understanding about the necessity to create and participate in such a system..
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 OSKA Coordination Council monitors the system through the Sectoral Expert Panels and annual reports are presented to the government. The first evaluation of OSKA's effectiveness and impact was conducted in 2018. The evaluation showed OSKA has been successful in creating practical and usable labour market intelligence for its target groups. Researchers highlight the relevance of OSKA as
a comprehensive tool for managing future labour market and skill needs. Cedefop conducted a study to support Estonia in strengthening OSKA. It involved a close collaboration with OSKA stakeholders in identifying actions and planning next steps. Report is available https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/4183_en.pdf
a comprehensive tool for managing future labour market and skill needs. Cedefop conducted a study to support Estonia in strengthening OSKA. It involved a close collaboration with OSKA stakeholders in identifying actions and planning next steps. Report is available https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/4183_en.pdf
Updates
UPDATES: whether there have been any major updates of the initiative since it has been implemented?
Yes
Once a year OSKA prepares a forecast for the next 10 years. There are continuous methodological improvements and actions towards improving the dissemination of OSKA results.
Effectiveness
EVIDENCE ON EFFECTIVENESS: How effective is the policy instrument?
It is the main skills anticipation initiative and supports developing better training and re-training offer. It supports evidence based decision making across sectors.
Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY: How sustainable is the policy instrument? Do you expect the instrument to continue over the next few years and why?
It is expected that the instrument will continue functioning. The reason for this is that the implementation of OSKA system has both increased the involvement of stakeholders, and created a systematic process by which they can provide input into skills anticipation and give recommendations to upgrade competency standards. As the population is aging and the country is facing serious labour shortages in all economic sectors, it is necessary to have a systematic process (regular updates, involvement of relevant stakeholders, timely changes and revisions) through which educational and employment decisions are made.
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