The foundation of any society is equal access to education. BSRB emphasizes that everyone should have the opportunity to receive a quality education, regardless of their location, economic status, or background. This can only be achieved by protecting public education. The coalition opposes the implementation of tuition fees in public educational institutions, regardless of what they may be called.
We are witnessing a significant transformation in the labor market, characterized by shifts in job types and changes in the demographics of employed individuals, particularly regarding age and origin. Job opportunities are anticipated to increase in sectors such as care services, elderly support, and construction. Conversely, a decline is expected in roles like receptionists, shop assistants, back-office positions, and general office jobs.
Additionally, many existing jobs are evolving, primarily due to advancements in technology. To address these changes effectively, it is essential to have a flexible public education system that provides all employees with easy access to intensive and ongoing training. Furthermore, simplifying the recognition of foreign educational qualifications is crucial to ensure that the skills acquired abroad are acknowledged and appropriately rewarded in terms of wages.
BSRB emphasizes that members of its affiliated organizations can enhance their employability, making them more attractive to the labor market throughout their careers.
Enhancing skills through education must become a fundamental aspect of the workplace culture of the future. Employers should be legally and collectively accountable for the continuous education of their employees. It is essential for employers to encourage and support professional development and lifelong learning. To achieve this, workplaces need to establish a career development policy, create career development plans, and ensure follow-up processes for both the organization as a whole and for individual employees. A significant part of this development should occur through career development dialogues.
BSRB emphasizes the importance of utilizing the International Labour Organization's tools for a just transition. This entails forming teams with representatives from both staff and management to develop and implement the workplace and individual career development plans.
Furthermore, increased funding should be allocated for the development of validation of prior learning, competency analysis, and workplace training fund. Along with this, it is necessary to strengthen the provision of information about these resources to employees, as well as enhance study and career counseling services. Employees must have greater opportunities to exercise their rights under collective agreements to receive paid study leave, and they should be encouraged to pursue their studies during working hours. The successful implementation of new technology depends on the targeted training of staff.
The costs associated with continuous and lifelong education should not fall on employees; instead, they should be covered by shared resources. It is essential to ensure that the vocational training funds from social partners, as well as the education funds for continuing education systems and public education providers, are adequate. This will enable the establishment and pursuit of progressive goals in continuous and ongoing education.
There is a pressing need for the government to invest significantly in Icelandic language education for individuals with foreign backgrounds, as their contributions in Iceland are only a small fraction of those in other Nordic countries. BSRB also demands that Icelandic lessons be offered during working hours without any pay cuts for foreign-origin employees.
The European Union has set a goal for 60% of employees to receive continuous education each year. However, Iceland is far from reaching this target. According to Statistics Iceland, only 25% of employees in the country participate in ongoing education annually, and this figure drops to just 13% among employees who have only completed basic education.
Understaffing in the workplace hinders progress toward the EU's objectives. Therefore, it is essential for workplaces to provide flexibility, allowing individuals to pursue education—whether during working hours or outside of them—while receiving pay.
BSRB emphasizes that vocational university education should be recognized as a distinct level within the education system. Efforts must continue to further develop this field, ensuring that vocational studies are integrated into the formal education system and funded by the state. Additionally, it is essential to guarantee that individuals who have completed vocational training up to the third qualification level have reliable access to university studies.
The sectoral councils responsible for the occupations of BSRB-affiliated union members need strengthening. They must also be provided with working conditions that allow them to fulfill their roles with greater ambition.