3.3 Skills forecasting
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Forecasting system(s)
In Slovakia, skills forecasting is primarily conducted by the Institute of Economic Research of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (IER SAVBA) and the Central Labour Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (COLSAF). These organizations analyze future skill needs in collaboration with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family (MILSAF) and the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth (MINEDU).
Types of Schemes and Mechanisms
The IER SAVBA employs a forecasting model based on CEDEFOP methodology to predict labour market demand up to 2025. This model provides disaggregated data by sectors, occupations, and educational attainment.
The Central Labour Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (COLSAF) is responsible for compiling labor market data and making forecasts publicly available in Slovakia. It publishes annual reports to support educational and economic policymaking. These reports are based on data gathered through employer surveys, administrative records, and other sources. COLSAF collaborates with regional labor offices and other stakeholders to ensure that the forecasts align with labor market needs. Additionally, it provides online access to labor market forecasts, fulfilling its mandate under the Act on Employment Services.
Periodicity and Outputs
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Forecasts are updated yearly and include regional and national labour market analyses.
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Reports and recommendations are disseminated through workshops, public events, and collaboration with academic institutions.
Top-Level Authority and Cross-Sectoral Cooperation
MILSAF plays a crucial role in coordinating skills forecasting efforts. Regional labour offices, working under COLSAF, engage with sectoral councils, industry representatives, and education providers to align forecasts with market needs. The Public Employment Service (PES) gathers skills intelligence through interviews, employer surveys, and stakeholder workshops.
Skills Development
The insights from forecasting systems play a crucial role in supporting skills development in Slovakia through various initiatives:
Formal Education Institutions
The National Register of Occupations ensures that educational standards align with employer demands by providing detailed occupation profiles. Sectoral councils define the skill needs for different occupations, working alongside the Ministry of Labour to tailor educational programs to labor market requirements. Vocational education and training (VET) programs are periodically updated, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and digital competencies to prepare students for future job roles.
Non-Formal and Informal Learning
Although specific initiatives for non-formal education providers are not extensively outlined, skills forecasts inform lifelong learning and reskilling programs for adult learners. These programs are designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to adapt to the changing labor market.
Awareness Raising Initiatives
Public authorities actively disseminate labor market insights through various channels, including information campaigns that raise awareness about future skill needs, career counseling programs that provide tailored guidance to students and job seekers, and digital platforms that make labor market data easily accessible to the public.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges: Slovakia’s skills forecasting system faces fragmentation due to a lack of integration between various institutions and stakeholders, which limits the effectiveness of skills anticipation measures.
Opportunities: There is significant potential to strengthen collaboration between government bodies, industry representatives, and educational institutions, enhancing the impact of skills forecasts on education policy and workforce planning. Strategic partnerships and the use of EU funding can help create a more cohesive skills forecasting system.