Revision of the National Plan for Training and Occupational Reintegration
Revision of the National Plan for Training and Occupational Reintegration
Conscious of the great importance of vocational training within active labour market policy, the Spanish Government has begun a major restructuring initiative in this area. This effort has manifested itself recently in the staged transfer of responsibilities for vocational training to the autonomous local authorities, and the partial assumption by the social partners of the administration of further, in-firm training for the employed (cf. iMi 41). These changes, together with the need to link vocational training - which is organised within the education system - with practical training, and last but not least the current economic situation, have made it necessary to introduce changes to the Plan for Training and Occupational Re-integration (Plan Nacional de Formación e Inserción Profesional - Plan FIP). The emphasis here is to be on vocational training measures for the unemployed, as continuing training for those in work is assured by agreements on continuing training (cf. iMi 41), while training for first-time job-seekers is organised by the education system and other bodies.
In this context, the revision of the FIP Plan (Royal Decree 631/1993, 3.5.1993) sets out a number of guidelines, all of which have the aim of adjusting vocational training to the needs of the labour market. Vocational training centres collaborating with the Plan, for example, must meet a number of minimum requirements, planning targets must be set several years in advance, and minimum general standards must be established for each career path, for which corresponding certificates will be granted.
The objectives of the Plan FIP are orientated towards the unemployed, whereby the following groups are, according to the Royal Decree already mentioned, to receive special priority:
a) the unemployed drawing unemployment benefit
b) unemployed persons older than 25 and registered as unemployed for more than a year (irrespective of entitlement to unemployment benefit);
c) unemployed under 25, who had previously been employed for at least six months (whether or not entitled to benefit);
d) unemployed facing particular difficulties in reentering the labour market, especially women wishing to return to work, the handicapped and emigrants.
Vocational training for first-time job-seekers will only receive support in those firms which commit themselves to taking on at least 60% of the trainees.
Participants in training courses are covered against the risk of accident arising out of course participation and are entitled to an allowance for maintenance, transport costs and accommodation.
Finally, handicapped persons are entitled to support in the form of a grant.
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