Four years have passed since the establishment of the National Observatory on Labour Market and Social Protection Affairs under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, in the implementation of President Ilham Aliyev's decree dated July 4, 2019.
During a press conference to discuss the Observatory’s achievements, Chairman of Board Elnur Safarli highlighted the institution’s commitment to building a sophisticated monitoring, analysis, and forecasting system that will enable more effective decision-making in labour, employment, and social protection.
The Observatory’s work focuses on several key areas, including surveys, monitoring, research, evaluation, and training. Over the past four years, the institution has conducted surveys with more than 9,700 respondents on 12 different topics. These efforts have provided valuable insights into various social and employment trends.
One notable initiative involved a survey of high school students, which examined their career choices, educational prospects, and the factors that influence their professional decisions.
Chairman Safarli also outlined the Observatory’s contributions to analysing social reforms, forecasting skills needs, and evaluating vocational education. The findings of these studies have provided valuable insights into the demands for specific skills, competencies, and strategic employment sectors to ensure a competitive workforce.
Additionally, the National Observatory serves as a training centre for Ministry employees, conducting courses on 61 topics. A register of trainers has been established, and a new Training Strategy for 2023-2025 has been developed to support the continuous professional development of staff. The Observatory has also organized Social Journalism training programs to enhance skills in this growing field.
The Observatory has strengthened its collaboration with universities, research centres, and other institutions, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expanding its institutional capabilities. With a vision to become a leading think tank in the region, the National Observatory aims to play a pivotal role in shaping policy through its high-quality research and analysis in labour and social protection.