National Observatory of Employment and Training

The purpose of the project „Strategic Intelligence for Research and Innovation“ is to provide analytical capacity and data-based strategic information (i.e. strategic intelligence services) to public administrations and research organizations for the implementation of research, development and innovation policy.

The project is aimed at supporting Member States in developing an enabling frameworkfor Individual Learning Accounts and, in effect, contributes to increasing the number of adult learners. The main objective of the project is to model and test a data model that would allow using AI technologies for personalised training recommendations and efficient spending through a delivery mode such as Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs).

The project is financed by the European Union. 

The ReferNet network was set up by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training – Cedefop.

Its objective is to support the development of VET and evidence based policy making. It provides advice, research, analysis, information, and stimulates European cooperation and common learning. Its networks including ReferNet allow the centre to keep abreast of recent developments and to cooperate and share information.

The purpose of the SkillsNet network is to bring together qualified researchers and other experts in the areas of employment, labour market and education. Their task is to address issues focusing on the rapidly changing requirements for the knowledge and skills of the workforce and on the methods of their identification so that education systems can respond to them in a timely manner through the training of both pupils and adults. The network was set up by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in 2003.

The SUSMILE project is a 2-year ERASMUS+ Strategic Partnership, that brings together 8 partners from 4 EU countries to build digital education readiness by addressing this challenge through the provision of effective and inclusive teaching tools, materials, resources and methods to ensure distance learning in the area of sustainable last mile logistics.

OPENING DOORS is an EU (Horizon 2020 programme) funded project that addresses a gap that often exists in PhD education globally – the opportunity to work collaboratively with other early career researchers from different disciplines and countries on “real-world”, applied problems. Through extensive stakeholder engagement with PhD employers and graduates working in open science and open innovation networks across Europe, and PhD educators and employers based in academia, the Opening Doors team have come to an understanding of the kinds of competencies and personal attributes that are valued in these settings. Based on this understanding, we have iteratively co-designed an open, online educational course in Open Science and Open Innovation with our network of stakeholders, entitled: “Opening Your Research To Collaborative Futures”.

The analysis of doctoral studies at the Brno University of Technology focused on study requirements, economic conditions, motivation to study and reasons of dropping out. A questionnaire survey was conducted among current and former doctoral students of the university, on the basis of which the main problems of doctoral studies at individual faculties were identified. The outputs of the contract include recommendations for changes in the organization of doctoral studies in order to improve its conditions and results.

The main objective of the project is to uncover the potential of the Ukrainian labor force to reduce the expected shortage of labor force in selected sectors of mechanical engineering. In addition, the key professions and skills that should be covered by foreign labor force together with proposed forms and content of educational programs and accompanying support measures to accelerate the adaptation and integration of foreign labor in the relevant segment of the Czech labor market will be identified. An aim is to create a methodology for measuring the success and efficiency of migration and the integration of workers and to propose indicators for continuous monitoring of the impacts of individual technical professions' deficits on the performance of enterprises in the mechenical egineering. Besides, labour force demands of the manufacturing sector in relation to Industry 4.0 are assessed.

Comprehensive research project funded by Czech Science Foundation aimed on formation of skills and their relationship to labor market outcomes, as well as to evidence on skill creation and its impact in the Czech Republic.  In this project, National Training Fund will primarily focus on the skills of the adult population and their role in the labor market. Is is responsible for the part “Effects of skills on earnings and other labor market outcomes of adults”.

Strengthening Key Competencies of Low-Skilled People in VET to Cover Future Replacement Positions (REPLAY-VET)

REPLAY-VET is an ERASMUS+ strategic partnership which aims to provide the disadvantaged and low- skilled people with targeted opportunities to acquire the VET skills to cover the job vacancies in Europe resulting from replacement demand. 

Real time LMI is project organized by Cedefop in cooperation with Interuniversity Research Centre on Public Services (CRISP), University Milano Bicocca. National Training Fund (NTF) is in this project as a member of the Consortium.

Project duration: May 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015

Project duration: May 29, 2014 – January 31, 2015

Activities under this contract belong to a large project titled „ Common approach of social partners to the preparation of economic sectors for changes in pension system – the 1st stage“, which was implemented by the Czech Confederation of Employer’s and Enterpreneur’s U­nions.

Project duration: 2014

This project was aim to create an independent framework for innovative research in the V4 countries and also served as a critical analysis of their innovation policies. The research was based on an interdisciplinary approach in order to get perspective on measurement of innovations and on instruments of public policy of V4 countries. The narrower and broader cooperation between experts from different backgrounds was helped to reconsider innovation policy in the V4 countries. Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic were part of this project.

Project duration: October 30, 2013 – September 23, 2014

Project duration: February 15, 2014 – August 30, 2014

The NOET elaborated a large analysis destinated to the Masaryk University which was focused on employability of Faculty of Sports Studies graduates. At one side it was based on the labour market development trends shown in economic sectors and professions suitable for the Faculty graduates. 

Project duration: January 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014

NOET-NTF processes this contract for the ILO (International Labour Office). This project aims to map and compare approaches to foresighting and scenarios of the future development of skills needs in various countries, including the evaluation methods used and the roles that these approaches occupy in the broader context of the anticipation of skill needs the countries concerned.

Project duration: March 18, 2014-July 11, 2014

Project duration: April 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014

The ARLI project seeked to utilise a system of mutual learning to gather good practices from regional and sub-regional experts across the partner countries and to use this to support both the EU Skills Panorama – online labour market information tool developed for the European Commission.

For the ARLI project, NVF work was based on its cooperation with several Czech regions where NVF develops regional information systems on labour market as a support tool for the regional government, PES and other users.

Project duration: November 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013

National Observatory provides analysis, information support and expertise to the Government The Research and Development Council in monitoring the implementation and design of new policy measures of the National Research, Development and Innovation Policy of the Czech Republic.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Project duration: September 22, 2009 – December 31, 2013

PIAAC (three-year research project) is aimed at assessing the level of basic skills needed for success in everyday life and the labour market in adults aged 16–65 years. Maps also use these skills in everyday personal and professional life. The project is coordinated by the OECD. In the Czech Republic, research carried out in 2010–2013.

Project duration: April 26, 2010 – March 31, 2012

Within the project Koncept, The National Observatory was responsible for elaboration of information products on the labour market skill needs. These products were aimed at several target groups including Sector Skills Councils, creators of The National Qualifications Framework, CVET providers as well as CVET guidance and counselling services providers.

Project duration: April 26, 2010 – March 31, 2012

The second task of The National Observatory within the project Koncept was to design a system for CVET monitoring in the Czech Republic, including components of data gathering, analysis, presentation and delivery of outputs to end users). Within this activity was also created online information system called „DV Monitor“ (www.dvmonitor.cz – only in Czech).

Project duration: March 31, 2010 - 1Q 2012

The aim project was the development, preparation and piloting employers survey across the EU, focusing on the future need for skilled labour.

The National Training Fund was involved in the project as a member of the international multi-disciplinary team of experts for research educational and skill needs. NTF was participated in the development and formulation of the overall concept a questionnaire survey.

Project duration: January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2011

Research Centre for Competitiveness of the Czech Economy consists of three organisations (Faculty of Economics and Administration of Masaryk University in Brno, Centre for Economic Studies and National Observatory).

Research was implemented in four interlinking components – growth performance and stability, institutional quality, innovative performance and the quality of human resources.
The National Observatory was responsible for the fourth component.

Project duration: January 1, 2010 - February 28, 2011

The overall aim of the project was to identify transferable skills and their role and importance with regard to the employability, adaptability and occupational mobility of people on the labour market. The project leader was RPIC-VIP.

Project duration:  February 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

The aim of this research project was to find comprehensive information about the extent and changes in job evaluation and short-time trends of their development.

Project duration: March 31, 2007 - July 31, 2008

The objective of the LMI project, which run in five pilot regions was to streamline public employment services and improve their quality and accessibility for various groups of clients. Partners in the project included the National Training Fund, the Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

The National Observatory implemented Activity 5 which was focused on proposing a system for regular analyses and forecasts of skill needs in the labour market, and for their use by employment services in their operations. The work included evaluation of foreing approaches to analyses and forecasts, and a proposal for methods to be employed in the CR.

Project duration: October 1, 2004 – March 31, 2007  

TrainSME (Innovative vocational Training approaches in Small and Micro Enterprises) was aimed at the improvement of the vocational training system in small and micro enterprises. The project elaborated and adapted tools for the assessment of vocational training needs in small and specifically micro enterprises and models for the creation of training programs which are meeting the needs of employees and enterprises and support innovation processes. The TrainSME project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

Project duration: 2008 – 2009

The aim of the FORJOBS project was to develop innovative instruments and methodologies intended to allow partner institutions to assess professional and training needs in their areas of interest. The project was based on the provision of an econometric model for the forecasting of employment stocks and flows to three out of four partners (NEA, SEPECAM and National Training Fund).

Project duration: 2009

The aim of this study was to analyze the preparation of HR in this field at the level of tertiary education in the Czech Republic and in the EU along with the analysis of transition of this graduates into the labour market and their competency to fill a particular job.

Project duration: 2004 – 2009

This project was implemented as part of the programme „Modern Society and Its Changes“ run by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Main implementer was the National Observatory that worked on the project with two partners – the Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs and the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of the CR. 

Project duration: 2004 – 2009

This project was carried out as part of the research programme of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the CR „Modern Society and Its Changes“. The main implementer was the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences.

In the project the National Observatory was focused on the issue of continuing education and training (the factors involved and barriers to participation).

Project duration: 2008

The study analyses future skill needs in production and distribution of electricity, gas and heating in the Czech Republic in 2007–2016 period. It also addresses expected situation on labour markets in related sectors (particularly mining and manufacturing of fuels, mechanical engineering or services related to energy consultancy, projecting and design).

Project duration: 2007 – 2008

A total of five thematic analytical/des­criptive reports were gradually developed as part of the project. They provide information about the system of vocational education and training (VET), the labour market and the related legislation in the Czech Republic. The contracting authority is the Japanese OVTA (Overseas Vocational Training Association).

Project duration: 2007 – 2008

The project aimed to develop a comprehensive overview of the current European approaches to integrating young people into the labour market, and to choose those practices that have the potential of improving the current and future situation in this area.

In addition to the NTF the partners included the Italian CESOS and the Hungarian Szent István University Gödöllö.

Project duration: 2005 – 2007

A project implemented by the Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs that aimed to identify the situation and problems as regards the employment of elderly people. In particular, attention was paid to developing a range of appropriate suggestions on which decision makers could draw in implementing suitable solutions in line with the situation in the labour market.

The team of the National Observatory was responsible for analysing and articulating suggestions for appropriate solutions in the area of the development of the competencies and skills of elderly workers and their continuing education and training.

Project duration: 2006 – 2007

The objective of the project was to develop strategic materials building on European and national strategic documents that would identify the strengths and weaknesses in various sectors of lifelong learning and set the main strategic directions and measures for further development.

The team of the National Observatory was in charge of analysing and articulating strategic measures in the area of continuing education and training.