Central Statistical Office of Poland

Center for Education and Human Capital Statistics

Danusi 4

80-434 Gdańsk

The Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS) collects information on enterprises’ investment in the continuing vocational training of their staff. Continuing vocational training (CVT) refers to education or training measures or activities which are financed in total or at least partly by the enterprise (directly or indirectly). Part financing could include the use of work-time for the training activity as well as financing of training equipment.

Information available from the CVTS is grouped around the following topics:

- Provision of CVT courses and other forms of CVT (training/non-training enterprises)

- CVT strategies

- Participants in CVT courses

- Costs of CVT courses

- Time spent in CVT courses

- Characteristics of CVT courses

- Assessment of CVT activities

The CVTS also collects some information on initial vocational training (IVT).

For further information see the CVTS 6 legislation (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/education-and-training/legislation) and the CVTS 6 implementation manual (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/education-and-training/methodology).

The main groupings for enterprises are by economic activity (NACE), size group and training/non-training enterprises.

CVTS 6 covers all economic activities defined in sections B to N and R to S of NACE Rev. 2.

Definitions as well as the list of variables covered are available in the CVTS 6 implementation manual (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/education-and-training/methodology).

Enterprise.

Enterprise definition is compliant with Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93.

No deviations. The total number of enterprises in the target population: 112 014.

Variable A2tot (persons employed) refers to 31 December 2020.

Poland.

2005, 2010, 2015, 2020

Not applicable.

Number, EUR.

The reference year for CVTS 6 is the calendar year 2020.

Basic legal act: Regulation (EC) No 1552/2005 of the European Parliament and the Council

Implementing act: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1153/2014, amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 198/2006

At national level

ROZPORZĄDZENIE KOMISJI (UE) NR 1153/2014 z dnia 29 października 2014 r. zmieniające rozporządzenie (WE) nr 198/2006 w zakresie zbieranych danych oraz wymagań dotyczących doboru próby, dokładności i jakości

Not applicable.

All data is protected by Polish Law issued on 29 June 1995 on Official Statistics.

All data is protected by Polish Law issued on 29 June 1995 on Official Statistics.

01.12.2021 - news release "Characteristics of continuing vocational training in enterprises in 2020"

30.12.2022 - publication "Characteristics of continuing vocational training in enterprises in 2020"

https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/edukacja/edukacja/charakterystyka-ustawicznego-szkolenia-zawodowego-w-przedsiebiorstwach-w-2020-r-,4,6.html 

Social Statistics | Editorial Title-Plan of the Statistics Poland 2022

In accordance with Official Statistics Act of 29^th June, 1995 (Journ. of Law 2016, position 1068, with amendments), Statistics Poland guarantees:

• indiscriminatory,
• equal,
• simultaneous access to statistical data for all users.

All data collected during surveys conducted in accordance with programme of statistical surveys of official statistics are official public statistics data, regardless of conducting body. All units conducting surveys in scope of public statistics law apply mandatory classification standards and submit survey results to the official statistical services and, acting in consultation with Statistics Poland, international organizations.

The data collected and stored by the state administration bodies and units of local authorities, other governmental agencies, organs maintaining official registers and the National Bank of Poland, on the basis of other regulations than Official Statistics Act, are data of information systems of the public administration, and are not considered public statistics data.

Scope and form of disseminated statistical information is specified in programme of statistical surveys of official statistics passed by the Council of Ministers each year.

Aggregations of statistical data not included in the programme of statistical surveys of official statistics may be conducted (under statistical confidentiality) at individual requests (observing statistical confidentiality), on a commission.

Every 5 years.

No regular or ad-hoc press releases linked to the data.

The results of the survey are presented in the publication “Continuing vocational training in enterprises in Poland in 2020” (released end 2022).

https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/edukacja/edukacja/charakterystyka-ustawicznego-szkolenia-zawodowego-w-przedsiebiorstwach-w-2020-r-,4,6.html 

No on-line databases.

Not applicable.

In accordance to the Rules on Provision of the Anonymised Individual Data for Scientific and Research purposes.

No other data dissemination done.

Not applicable.

No national reports on methodology.

Not applicable.

No documentation on procedures applied for quality management and quality assessment.

There is no general quality assurance framework and the quality management system applied at the national level and used in the Central Statistical Office of Poland was directly implemented for the CVTS quality assurance. In order to assure the quality of processes and products Statistics Poland applies the EU Statistics Code of Practice and the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF).

In Poland the survey was mandatory. Overall, the quality of CVTS was good. The electronic questionnaire was well designed, piloted before the survey and the fieldwork was properly organized. Much effort has been made to ensure that the completeness of the survey is as high as possible. In case of no response on CAWI questionnaire the respondent was contacted by telephone in order to obtain data. The quantitative questions (although inevitable) were not easy to answer by the enterprises. This results in a still fairly high burden on enterprises. The average time for answering the questionnaire was 105 minutes.

1. Strengths:

• good completeness of data;
• electronic form, filter questions and instant checks in the data-entry program shortened the process of filling in the questionnaire;
• no number of missing values.

2. No weaknesses

3. When analyzing data such as: hours worked per one person employed or labour costs per one person employed, the item regarding average employment during the year should be included, not only at the end of the year.

4. There was a big problem to obtain data on costs of 'travel and subsistence payments' connected with CVT courses (C7b question). The balance sheets in most enterprises contained only information about overall costs of business travel irrespective of its purpose.

5. Large problem with collecting data on labour costs of internal trainers for CVT courses (C7c question). Enterprises encountered many difficulties in estimation of these cost, sometimes it was impossible. This is very time-consuming, especially if the enterprise has numerous internal trainers.

User needs are notified during the time of annual Statistical Surveys Programme creation. All data user needs at national level are discussed and if possible taken into account during the data collection.

Information unavailable. User satisfaction surveys have not been conducted.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

We consider these estimates are characterized by a high degree of accuracy.

The sampling method

Stratified probability sample of enterprises was drawn. The sample was stratified by 3 enterprise size categories and 20 NACE categories. Sample size in each stratum was calculated using formula for the expected coefficient of variation for estimated proportion of "training enterprises", taking into account the anticipated response rate and proportion of training enterprises. We adopted additional assumptions: in categories of enterprises with the number of employed persons greater or equal to 250 all units were selected, and in strata were sample sizes computed from formula were greater than 550 we applied additional stratification into voivodships (NUTS2 geographical levels) with proportional sample allocation. The gross sample size was equal to 20000 enterprises. The sample was drawn independently in each stratum by method of simple random sampling using SAS SURVEYSELECT procedure.

The estimation / grossing-up procedures

The base weights were calculated separately for strata as ratios: the number of enterprises of the frame population to the number of enterprises in the sample. The base weights were corrected for unit non-response by multiplying the base weight by adjustment factors. The non-response adjustment factors were computed using information from enterprise about reasons of non response (e.g. unit was inactive or there was incorrect contact information). These factors were computed in each of 60 groups defined as intersections of 3 enterprise size categories and 20 NACE categories.

The estimation of totals was based on classical Horvitz-Thompson estimators using final weights (corrected for non-response), and for estimation of ratios the ratios of corresponding Horvitz-Thompson estimators for numerators and denominators were used.

Estimation of standard errors was based on linearization method for ratio of two variables and classical formulas used for variance of totals in stratified random sampling; practical computations were done in SAS using SURVEYMEANS procedure.

See table 13.2.1 "Sampling errors - indicators" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

See 13.3.1 - 13.3.5.

The official, up-to-date, statistical business register of the country was used as the sampling frame.

See table 13.3.1 "Coverage error" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

See table 13.3.1.1 "Over-coverage - rate" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)". 

Not applicable.

The survey was carried out using the questionnaire designed in accordance with the European questionnaire, preserving the order of questions. Explanations containing basic definitions were placed in the enclosure, which is customary of public statistics in Poland. The only definitions included in the questionnaire referred to continuing vocational training, initial vocational training and other forms of training. Respondents found the questionnaire too broad in terms of its scope and therefore very laborious.

Many errors disclosed at the processing stage resulted from the respondents’ inattention, as well as from not reading explanations. Respondents reported one form of training two times, as a course and other forms of training (B1 and B2).

There were problems with classifying skills gained on courses (C5). A lot of units selected skill “other”. This required a contact by telephone or email in order to clarify what kind of skill interviewee had in mind.

According to the methodology of the survey, it should include only paid working hours. It caused a problem for the units where a part of training was run outside paid working time, but they had recorded only total training time (as they records included information of time of course in hours) and did not usually remember which part of the training took place during working time.

Obviously, the amount of errors depended on who completed the form on the respondent's behalf. In case of units which did not provide any courses, there were not many problems filing the form. In enterprises running courses having a separate training department the quality of data was better than in case of enterprises which didn’t have such division. Probably the level of education and age of respondents had also effect on the data quality, but such assessment is practically impossible to be made.

The fact that most enterprises did not have training records or their content did not allow for completing the form also had a negative impact on the quality of data. Enterprises had usually recorded a participant event rather than participants in courses.

The survey was supervised by employees of the statistical office experienced in this kind of work. We provided training for the surveyors which presented the participants with definitions and basic terminology. The statistical offices employees had to collect data and persuade respondents to complete questionnaires.

In order to eliminate recording errors the data quality check was carried out during:

• collecting data (through checking of logics and coherence of recording),
• data registration (through displaying on the monitor screen errors to be explained with the reporting unit),
• control tables analysis (through comparisons within particular strata: average working time per 1 person employed, accessibility rate, training time per person employed, ratio of training costs to labour costs),
• listing of extreme quantities such as:
  • working time in hours per 1 person employed,
  • cost of 1 hour worked,
  • time of training course,
  • training time in hours per 1 person employed,
  • continuing vocational training fees,
  • remuneration of internal lecturers in the case when the enterprise declared only providing internal courses.

Listing including extreme values were sent out to statistical office employees with a view of establishing further contacts with the reporting units and explaining doubtful situations. As a result of these actions, a lot of errors were corrected or the correctness of data was confirmed.

In order to ensure good quality data regarding participants, additional question about participant events was introduced in the questionnaire. In cases when the number of participants equalled the number of participant events, warning was displayed on the screen during recording and all such situations required approval by the reporting unit.

In our opinion non response rate regarding number of enterprises (36%) is quite satisfactory.

Information about the CVTS was sent to all participating statistical units via Reporting portal before the start of the survey and 1 to 3 reminder letters were sent to non-response enterprises. Moreover a lot of telephone contacts were made with respondents to improve unit response. Enterprises that initially did not fill in the electronic questionnaire via Internet were re-contacted by telephone for a next month and encouraged to do so. In order to improve item response, reduce dubieties and eliminate contradictions, also some of the enterprises that returned the main questionnaire had to be re-contacted by phone or e-mail.

See table 13.3.3.1 "Unit non-response - rate" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

In case of partial response some of the enterprises that filed in the questionnaire had to be re-contacted by phone or e-mail. When necessary the responsible statistical staff explained methods of data estimation in case of lack of relevant records.

See table 13.3.3.2 "Item non-response - rate" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

After registration was closed and option survey check made, errors marked E (calculation errors to be approved by the author) appeared on the screen, as well as errors marked U (mandatory errors, e.g. the value of labour cost, etc.). It was assumed in the processing program that after performing the option “Formal check without mandatory errors”, the errors will be accepted and won’t be signalled any more. It was always possible to return to the print with mandatory errors by entering option Formal check and next answering the system’s question “Do you want mandatory errors to be signalled?” From that moment the mandatory errors were signalled both on screen during updating and on the error print after checking.

Next the whole set was checked. During the check the following relations were analyzed:

1. Formal check (maximum range of the field value),

2. Logical check according to the author’s assumptions (made on the Eurostat’s assumptions adjusted to Polish grounds),

3. Compatibility check of LP6 and LP7 fields with Z-06 report data (the number of persons employed and working time for 2020),

4. Data completeness check on the basis of the file. 

Not applicable.

No difference.

11 months (01.12.2021)

24 months (30.12.2022)

Countries should transmit data to Eurostat no later than 18 months after the end of the reference year. 

See table 14.2 "Project phases - dates" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Not applicable.

No divergence.

No additional variables related to COVID-19 were collected.

See table 15.1 "Comparability - geographical" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Not applicable.

See table 15.2 "Comparability - over time" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Not applicable.

It is impossible to compare data in the section NACE 18 and NACE 19 due to lack of data in the Structural Business Statistics.

See table 15.3 "Coherence - cross-domain" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

CVTS results for a given reference year are based on the same microdata and results are calculated using the same estimation methods, therefore the data are internally coherent.

Information about the cost of the survey is unavailable.

The analysis of respondents’ burden resulting from realisation of reporting duty in terms of time for answering to each questionnaire showed that the burden depended on a specific situation of the enterprise with regard to training:

• Non-training enterprises, regardless of size class, needed the least time (estimated 15 minutes). In this case giving labour costs and working time was the most laborious;
• Training units fall into two categories:
  • In small and medium size units providing little or thematically uniform training an average time for answering a questionnaire was approx. 80 minutes. Here general data and showing participants instead of participant events was the underlying cause of the difficulties. Also the training cost records were missing.
  • The reports were more complicated for large units providing a variety of courses on different subjects, run by different providers. Estimated time of filing the questionnaire was 235 minutes.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS 6).

See table 18.1 "Source data and data collection" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Every 5 years.

The questionnaire is only available in the national language.

See also table 18.1 "Source data and data collection" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Stage I: Electronic questionnaire

The respondents had the possibility to fill in the CVTS 6 electronic questionnaire on the Internet site. The questionnaire included filter questions, which were designed to facilitate and shorten the data entry process. The filter questions was especially useful for enterprises that did not provide any training for persons employed. In order to improve quality of the data the instant checks with warning screen messages were incorporated into the data-entry program. Information about errors or warnings appeared on the screen in case:

1. When respondent has forgotten to fill in the field there was a the warning message: “The field is required”.
2. If the respondent made an error, relevant error message appeared on the screen: e.g. „the number of employed males and females differs from the total number of employed persons”.

Software error control designed for the electronic questionnaire was based on the predetermined checking rules referred to the CVTS 6 manual, Annex No 8, 9 and 10.

The electronic portal with functional application allowed to work flexibly. Any moment respondent was able to stop filling in the questionnaire and continuing anytime. The movement between pages was able using icon (>).

The respondent had a possibility to print the questionnaire by clicking icon (print), to receive online help by clicking icon (i) or to contact a person in the statistical office, who was responsible for methodological assistance by clicking icon (:---).

At the end the respondent had to approve the report (V) and afterwards the phrase: „Thank you for collaboration” appeared on the screen.

Stage II: Data validation software of the survey (SIB)

After finishing the work on the electronic portal data base was imported to SIB, which was written in Visual FoxPro for WINDOWS.

The processing scheme included the following options:

1. Registration of data;
2. Data control and updating (making corrections until a correct data set was achieved);
3. Calculation and checking of the control tables;
4. Validation of the control tables by the author of the survey.

The main menu included the following options:

• File – operations on the files and option End,
• Data – reviewing, updating, adding, deleting, reorganizing, a choice of data sorting method, indexing of the files for emergency fixes,
• Control – checking of the data correctness and integrity,
• Tables – calculating of the control tables and listings according to the prepared assumptions,
• Prints – reviewing/printing of the control tables and listings,
• Help – displaying a description of the system on the screen (HELP which is also available in .doc format.

Furthermore, the data bases were validated with the EDAMIS (STRUVAL/CONVAL).

There were two types of errors encountered during the control:

1. Warning (necessity for making sure that the obtained data is correct): the working time exceeded the range of 1200 - 2200 hours, too high the hourly working costs per person employed, the number of participants was the same as number of participant events, the number of training hours per 1 participant, the cost per participant in the external and internal courses and the cost of 1 hour of the course exceeded the assumed value or the number of IVT participants constitute more than 50% persons employed. The data was corrected and validated by respondents.
2. Mandatory: missing data – working time, number of participants in courses, the time of the participation in courses, cost of the courses. In those cases data was obtained and completed.

The most common errors committed by respondents: Respondents reported one form of training twice, as a course and other forms of training (B1 or B2).

Not applicable.

See table 18.5.1 "Imputation - rate" in annex "PL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

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