Methodology - Lifelong learning
Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS)
The Continuing Vocational Training Survey is coordinated by Eurostat, and its implementation in EU countries stems from European legislation. It is a questionnaire survey conducted in enterprises once every five years. For the selection of units, stratified random sampling is used, and the population consists of economic entities with 10 or more persons employed falling under sections B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, R, and S according to the Classification of Economic Activities (CZ-NACE).
In the survey, education provided by companies is considered to be activities that are planned, organized, or actively supported by the company with a specific educational goal. Furthermore, the company must at least partially finance such education for employees (whether from its own resources or from received subsidies, etc.). Partial payment for employee education also includes situations where employees are allowed to use paid working hours for education or situations where employees are provided with teaching materials (e.g., for self-study).
Continuing vocational training is divided into several forms in the survey. Courses show a high degree of organization (time, space and content) by a trainer or a training institution. The content of the courses is prepared in advance for a characteristic target group of people, e.g. according to the defined curriculum and the venue is typically clearly separated from the active workplace (learning takes place in locations specially assigned for learning like a classroom or training center). This includes legally required courses focused on occupational health and safety, but also non-compulsory education, such as computer or language courses, courses focused on communication skills, retraining courses, education at universities or other clearly structured education increasing qualifications or enhancing skills of employees in a certain field. Other forms of continuing vocational training are included only if they are planned in advance and the main intention of the employee participating in them is to learn something. This includes guided on-the-job training, job rotation, exchanges, secondments and study visits, participation in workshops, lectures, conferences or trade fairs, learning and/or quality circles and self-directed learning/e-learning.
Further information on the Continuing Vocational Training Survey and its outputs are available in the CZSO publication Employee education (CVTS survey), or on Eurostat's website.
Adult Education Survey (AES)
The data on participation in formal and non-formal education comes from the Adult Education Survey (AES). This is an european statistical sample survey that is conducted on the basis of Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EC) No. 1700/2019 of 10 October 2019 in sampled households. The survey takes place once every six years. The main aim of the AES survey is to find out more about adults' participation in education.
Data on participation in education show the share of persons aged 18–69 who participated in formal or non-formal education, whether at work or in their free time, in the 12 months prior to the interview.
Formal education means education in formal education institutions – schools and universities. It is governed by legal regulations and includes levels of education, which follow one another (primary, secondary, and tertiary); attainment of each level is confirmed by a relevant certificate (a school report, an apprenticeship certificate, an A-level certificate, a diploma, and the like), which is acknowledged by relevant national authorities and entitles to enter a higher level of education. Non-formal education includes organised and institutionalised education under the tutelage of an authority in education (e.g. a professional instructor), which takes place along with formal education. It applies to various job-related and non-job-related courses, trainings, seminars, workshops, private lessons, and the like. The objective is to gain knowledge, skills, and competences, i.e. it is intentional. However, contrary to the formal education, it does not lead to completion of a certain level of education and gaining a standard formalised certificate (a school report, an apprenticeship certificate, a university diploma, and the like). It takes place out of the formal educational system. Further information on the Adult Education Survey (AES) and its outputs are available in the CZSO publication Adult Education in the Czech Republic (AES); Czech only, or on the Eurostat website.