A short guide to Sectoral Expert Councils in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
Anita LĪCE
Following the example of other EU countries, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have established a tripartite mechanism called sectoral expert councils (hereinafter - Councils) to adapt and develop their vocational education and training (VET) systems according to the needs of the labor market. Councils are now an integral part of the professional qualification system in all three Baltic states. However, each country has chosen a slightly different way to organize and implement the work of Councils, providing ample opportunity for mutual learning.
A co-ordinating institution of the Councils in the three Baltic states decided to co-operate within the project "Strengthening cooperation between the institutions coordinating the work of sectoral expert councils in the Baltic states" (SECBaltics) to exchange with information, good practices and learn from each other. The project partners are:
- Estonia: Estonian Qualifications Authority (KUTSEKODA),
- Latvia: Employers Confederation of Latvia (LDDK), Latvian Agricultural Organization Cooperation Council (LOSP), and Latvian National Centre for Culture (LNKC),
- Lithuania: Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre (KPMPC).
In this article, we offer a brief overview on what we have learned about the functioning of Councils in the three Baltic states.
How the Sectoral Expert Councils were established
In Estonia, the Sectoral Skills Councils (hereinafter referred to as SSCs) were established in 2001. They were initially intended to provide an independent assessment of the competence of employees and job seekers in various sectors of the economy. The aim was to establish a reliable system for issuing professional certificates based on the actual skills and abilities of individuals, as assessed by representatives from industry, education and training providers, and the government.
The founding members of the Occupational Qualifications System were representatives from the Ministry of Education and Research, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Estonian Employers, the Estonian Trade Union Confederation, and the National Board of Vocational Education and Training. Today, the SSCs consist of representatives from industry, education and training providers, and the government, who continue to work together to ensure that vocational education and training meets the needs of the labor market.
In Latvia, the Sectoral Expert Councils (hereinafter - SECs) were piloted within the EU ESF project "Establishment of the sectoral qualification system and increasing the efficiency and quality of VET" (2010-2015), coordinated by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA). In 2015, SECs and their functions were defined in the Vocational Education Law, and it was also determined that the Food Industry and Agriculture SEC is coordinated by the LOSP, and the others by the LDDK. Cabinet Regulation No. 485 of July 15, 2016, titled "Procedures for Establishment, Operation, and Coordination of Activities of Sectoral Expert Councils," was adopted in 2016, and the official establishment followed in 2017.
In 2019, the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) and LDDK concluded an agreement on the financing of the SEC coordination function, and the SEC secretariat based in LDDK was established with the task of coordinating 11 SECs.
Amendments to the Vocational Education Law of 2022 provided for the establishment of a new, 13th SEC - the Cultural Education Council (KIC), which is coordinated by the Latvian National Centre for Culture (LNKC).
In Lithuania, tripartite Industrial Lead Bodies (Ūkio šakų ekspertų grupės) have served as key consultants to the Ministry of Education and Science at the sectoral level already since 1999, providing expertise in legalizing vocational training standards and shaping the content of vocational training. In 2012, to ensure effective social dialogue, 17 sectoral professional committees (sektoriniai profesiniai komitetai) (hereinafter referred to as SPCs) were established at the Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre (KPMPC), replacing the structure of the Industrial Lead Bodies. SPCs took on the responsibility of designing qualification standards in specific sectors of the economy.
The role of SPCs has been strengthened by the new VET law (2017, in force as of February 2018). In that year, 18 new SPCs were established. SPCs serve as advisory bodies that ensure cooperation among all VET stakeholders in a particular sector of the economy. They draft, update, and approve qualification standards. SPC members assess VET programs, including their modules, and when necessary, discussions about VET programs are held within the SPCs.
Key facts about Councils in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
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Estonia |
Latvia |
Lithuania |
1. The Goal |
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Kutsekoda is developing a support structure for occupational qualifications system in order to increase the competitiveness of Estonian employees and promote the development, assessment, recognition and comparison of their occupational competence. |
To facilitate the improvement of the effectiveness and quality of VET in the respective industry by promoting co-operation between the State, employers, trade unions and specialists on issues related to human resource development and compliance of VET to labour market requirements. |
Ensure cooperation between all VET stakeholders in a particular sector of the economy. |
2. Number of councils and sectors covered |
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1. Architecture, Geomatics, Construction and Real Estate 2. Commercial Service and other business activities 3. Culture 4. Education 5. Energy, Mining and Chemical Industry 6. Engineering, Manufacturing and Processing 7. Food Industry and Agriculture 8. Forestry 9. Health 10. Information Technology and Telecommunication 11. Property and Personal Protection 12. Service 13. Social Care 14. Transport and Logistics |
1. Business, Finance, Accounting and Administration 2. Chemical and Environmental SEC 3. Construction SEC 4. Cultural Education Council (coordinated by LNKC) 5. Energy SEC 6. Food Production and Agriculture SEC (coordinated by LOSP) 7. Manufacturing of electronic and optical equipment, ICT SEC 8. Metalworking, machine building, mechanical engineering SEC 9. Print and Media Technology SEC 10. Textiles, Clothing, Leather and Leather Goods Manufacturing SEC 11. Timber industry SEC 12. Tourism and Beauty SEC 13. Transport and Logistics SEC |
1. Accommodation, catering and travel arrangement services, sports activities, entertainment and recreation organization. 2. Wholesale and retail trade. 3. Financial and insurance activities, accounting, bookkeeping and auditing, real estate affairs. 4. Mining, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities. 5. Creative, arts and entertainment activities, libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities. 6. Manufacture of wood and products of wood, furniture, paper and paper products. 7. Manufacture of petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic products, other non-metallic mineral products. 8. Manufacture and repair of basic metals and metal products, computer, electronic and optical products, electrical equipment, motor and other vehicles, machinery and equipment. 9. Service administration, servicing, organizations and agencies activities. 10. Printing, publishing, production and broadcasting of television and radio programs, information services, advertising and market research. 11. Construction, architectural, engineering and related technical consultancy. 12. Education, research and development. 13. Manufacture of textiles, clothing and leather goods. 14. Telecommunications, computer programming, consultancy and related activities. 15. Transport and storage services. 16. Public administration, defense, justice and judicial activities, public order and defense, fire services. 17. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and food production. Human health and social work activities, hairdressing and other beauty treatment. 18. Human health and social work activities, hairdressing and other beauty treatment. |
2a. Are all occupations covered by the councils? |
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In Estonia, there are dozens of professions that are not covered by SSCs. The SSC system primarily covers industrial and service sectors. Additionally, some fields already have specific regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing and regulating professional activities. For example, medical professions are regulated by the Estonian Health Board, legal professions are regulated by the Estonian Bar Association, and professions such as heavy equipment operators may be regulated by the Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority as a competent authority. Therefore, although the SSC system is widely used and important, it is not the only way that professional activities are regulated in Estonia. |
Sectors where no SECs have been established covers mostly those areas that are financed by the state and regulated by separate regulatory acts:
There are also few interdisciplinary qualifications, e.g., Industrial management engineer (EQF 6), Process Quality Management Engineer (EQF 6), Quality manager (EQF 7). |
Yes, approximately all occupations covered by these 18 SPCs. |
3. Number of experts involved in the council |
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15-33 |
16 (in Cultural education council) – 32 (in Construction SEC) experts are involved in SEC as voting members. Additionally, permanent observers (0-16) are invited to the meetings. |
11-30. The SPC consists of at least 9 members. |
4. Composition of the councils |
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The SSCs in Estonia may include representatives from employers' organizations, trade unions, professional associations, vocational education and training institutions, and other relevant stakeholders. SSCs may also include experts in the relevant field. There are no non-voting members, and each member has one vote. A quorum of at least 51% of the members is required for a decision to be made. The decision is made by a simple majority of votes. |
SECS in Latvia are tripartite and include:
Number of employers’ and professional organisations’ representatives should form at least half of all SEC members. Decisions are made by majority vote, but in practice usually by consensus. VET institutions cannot be voting members of SECs, but relevant VET institutions (especially those responsible for methodological development) are invited to participate as permanent observers. |
The composition of the SPCs includes representatives of the relevant ministries by economic sector, social partners, representatives of vocational training and study institutions. When forming SPCs, members representing employers constitute at least half of the members of each SPC, except in cases where the entities representing employers propose a smaller number of members of the SPC. The Ministry regulating a specific economic sector, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation delegate their members to each sectoral professional committee. The composition of sectoral professional committees shall be updated at least every 5 years. There are no non-voting members and each member has one vote. |
5. Functions |
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- To develop and implement the occupational qualifications system. To organise and coordinate the activities of occupational qualification councils and the cooperation between the councils. - To develop and approve the common methodology for preparing occupational standards and awarding qualifications. To develop and approve the methodology, document forms and samples related to the occupational qualifications system. - To organise the development and updating of occupational standards on the basis of decisions made by occupational qualification councils. To organise administrative supervision over the awarding bodies. - To maintain the register of occupational qualifications. - To organise consultation and training related to the occupational qualifications system. - To introduce the Estonian occupational qualifications system on the national and international level by creating conditions for the mutual comparison of qualifications. - To develop occupational qualification certificate supplements. - To organise the registration and issuing of occupational certificates. - To organise the work of Europass Centre. - To act as a NCP (National Coordination Point) for implementing EQF. - To develop and implement the anticipation and monitoring system for labour and skills demand – OSKA. |
- To make proposals for the SQF to harmonise it with the requirements of the labour market, to make proposals for the professional qualifications required for the relevant industry. - To provide opinion on occupational standards and professional qualification requirements in the process of their development and updating. - To delegate experts to participate in the accreditation of professional education institutions, licensing of professional education programs and participation in professional qualification exams. - To participate in the planning the network of VET institutions and professional education programs. - To submit proposals on trends in the number of learners required by industries and plans for enrolling learners in state-funded professional education programs. - To promote the cooperation of employers with VET institutions in supporting work-based learning and organizing internships. - To resolve issues related to employment, demand and supply in the labour market of the relevant industry. |
- To approve qualification standards, ensure their development and updating. – To provide conclusions on updated qualification standards in accordance with its competence. - To consider and submit proposals to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania regarding qualifications of levels I – VIII of the Lithuanian Qualifications Framework. |
6. Coordination institution |
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Estonian Qualifications Authority Kutsekoda |
11 SECs are coordinated by the LDDK, the national coordinator of SECs, 1 – by LOSP, 1 – by LNKC. |
KPMPC |
7. Management and accountability |
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The Estonian Qualifications Authority Kutsekoda is accountable to the Kutsekoda’s Council and the Ministry of Education and Research. The Council includes The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Service Employees' Trade Union Organization TALO, the Estonian Employers' Confederation, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Estonian Trade Union Confederation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The SSC are not accountable to anyone. The chairperson of the SSC is elected from among the members of the council for a term of five years |
The SECs are independent in their decision-making. Each SEC has its chairperson and vice-chairperson (can be multiple), elected from among the members of SECs. Inter-sectorial management and co-operation is implemented though non-formal consultative meeting – SEC Council involving leadership representatives and co-ordinators of all SECs. The LDDK and LOSP as co-ordinating institutions of SECs are accountable to the MoES Ministry of Education and Science for implementing the tasks in the annual funding agreement.
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KPMPC is accountable to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. SPCs are not accountable to anyone. The Chairman of the SPC and the Deputy Chairman of the SPC are elected by the SPC from among its |
8. Financing |
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Funding for the fulfilment of statutory and core responsibilities is provided from the budget of the Ministry of Education and Research without a specific deadline, but with annual negotiations. Members of SECs work voluntarily. |
LDDK and LOSP are funded by public funding (1-year long agreement between the MoES and the coordinating institution). Members of SECs work voluntarily. |
According to the regulations members of SPCs should receive salary but in fact they work voluntarily. |
9. Legal acts and essential links |
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Act: Professions Act – available in English through this link. Regulation: List of occupational fields, names of sectoral skills councils, procedures for their establishment and termination, work organization, and procedures for appointing institutional representatives to occupational councils and the duration of their mandates available in Estonian trough this link.
Sectoral qualification frameworks: Estonian Qualifications Framework in Estonian is available through this link. Occupational standards: available through this link.
Labour market statistics and reports, elaborated within OSKA project: available through this link. |
Vocational Education Law, available in English through this link. Cabinet Regulation No. 485 of 15 July 2016 “Procedures for Establishment, Operation, and Coordination of Activities of Sectoral Expert Councils”, available in English though this link.
Sectoral qualification frameworks: available in Latvian through this link. Occupational standards: available in Latvian through this link.
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Law on VET VIII-450 Lietuvos Respublikos profesinio mokymo įstatymas (lrs.lt). Description of the tasks, functions, committee formation and financing procedure of sectoral professional committees approved by the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania in 2018 June 28 by order no. V-610/4-401 V-610/4-401 Dėl Sektorinių profesinių komitetų uždavinių, funkcijų, komitetų sudarymo ir finansavimo tvarkos ... (e-tar.lt). Work regulation of sectoral professional committees SPK_reglamentas_patvirtintas_2018-10-08.pdf (kpmpc.lt).
Sectoral qualification frameworks: there is Lithuanian Qualifications Framework: Lietuvos kvalifikacijų sandara | (kpmpc.lt) . Occupational standards: sectoral qualification standards: Profesiniai standartai | (kpmpc.lt). |
Every system has both successful aspects and things to improve. Here are the main strengths and weaknesses as seen by the Council coordinators in the three Baltic states.
To conclude, the SECBaltics partners recognize that sectoral expert councils play a crucial role in coordinating the development of qualification systems and vocational education and training (VET) in all three Baltic states. These councils effectively involve key stakeholders within the sectors and work towards the common goals of establishing sectoral qualifications systems and aligning VET curricula with labor market demands. While the functions of SECs differ slightly among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, their tripartite nature and voluntary participation highlight their representative nature. However, sustaining the involvement of SEC members remains a challenge due to the lack of stable finances. Nevertheless, regular meetings and specific examples of good practices, such as the OSCA project in Lithuania and enhanced cooperation between SECs and VET schools in Latvia, demonstrate the positive impact and potential of SECs in advancing the vocational education landscape in the Baltic states.
And here is the proof that we’ve been there and seen that!
A visit to Estonia, Kutsekoda, on 13/09/2022 – 14/09/2023 (picture is taken at the Kutsekoda):
A visit to Lithuania, on 08/11/2022 – 09/11/2023 (picture is taken in front of the National M. K. Čiurlionis School):
A visit to Latvia on 28/02/2023 – 01/03/2023 (picture is taken at the Ogre Technical School):
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This article has been prepared within the Erasmus+ programme KA210 -VET - Small-scale partnerships in vocational education and training No – 2021-2-LV01-KA210-VET-000051300 “Strengthening cooperation between the institutions coordinating the work of sectoral expert councils in the Baltic states” (SECBaltics).
This article reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.