Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
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).
Data rounding is applied and cell suppression if needed.
8.1. Release calendar
The CVTS 2020 micro data are available via the Statistics Netherlands website. There is no particular release calendar for the dataset, yet Statistics Netherlands does provide an overview of all datasets that are available to the (authorized) public.
Furthermore, aggregated CVTS data tables were updated in Q4 2022 and the general public informed regarding the release date via the website of Statistics Netherlands.
The main results of CVTS are published on the online databases on the website of Statistics Netherlands and are available for the public. These are aggregated data.
The following activities were implemented in order to optimize the CVTS data quality:
CVTS 6 solely makes use of a web based questionnaire. This avoids routing issues and obliges enterprises to answer in a consistent way. This improves the quality of the received data.
A notification letter was sent to (large) enterprises the year before the survey took place. The aim was to inform these enterprises on time. Moreover, this enabled them to collect the required data during the survey year.
Emphasis on guaranteed privacy.
Clear questionnaire.
Possibility to contact a helpdesk.
Sending 2 reminders and calling enterprises to remind them.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The overall quality of the survey is good. The use of a web based questionnaire avoids routing issues and obliges enterprises to answer in a consistent way. This improves the quality of the received data. The results are generally in line with other data and with previous CVT surveys. The quantitative questions (although inevitable) are not easy to answer by enterprises. This results in a still fairly high burden on enterprises.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
CVTS information is especially valuable for e.g. policy makers at European level (e.g. European Commission, European Parliament, other European agencies), policy makers at national level (e.g. ministries), Social actors (e.g. employers' associations, trade unions), media, Researchers, students, and Enterprises (for own market research activities).
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No satisfaction surveys are used.
12.3. Completeness
The final dataset for CVTS 6 covers all NACE sectors, enterprise size groups and variables as requested in the CVTS 6 legislation.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
No deviation.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
CVTS results are mainly based on survey data. The data collection is an estimation, and should therefore be interpreted with a certain level of caution. However, the response rate was 84%, stratification (NACE and size) was applied in the sample, and with the use of weights a high level of accuracy can be achieved.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling method
The sampling was carried out in compliance with the instructions given in the Eurostat Manual. The sampling frame is the Dutch Business Register, managed by Statistics Netherlands. The gross sample consists of 5370 enterprises. The sample is drawn according to a stratified sampling design, where in each stratum a simple random sample is drawn. Statistics Netherlands uses 10 x 26 strata, based on the combination of 10 size classes and 26 NACE categories. In the strata with 250 or more persons employed all enterprises are included in the sample. For other strata the sample size is determined according to the conditions determined by Eurostat: 1) The maximum half-length of a 95% confidence interval for an estimated proportion (with true value 0.5) of training enterprises is at most 20 percent of the estimated value within each stratum and 2) the expected number of training enterprises in the net sample is equal in each stratum. Assumptions about the proportions of training enterprises and the response rate within each stratum are formed based on experiences from CVTS 5.
Estimation / grossing-up procedures
The population totals of the target variables are estimated by means of a weighting process based on the General Regression Estimator (GREG). The non-response model is given by 1 + stratum + WP*SC2. Here 1 is the intercept, stratum is the variable indicating the stratum membership, WP is the total number of persons employed according to the Business Register and SC2 is the size class in two categories (less than 250 persons employed and 250 or more persons employed). The final weights are bounded to have a value of at least one.
Calculation of coefficient of variation
The coefficient of variation is the relative standard error and is equal to the ratio of the square root of the variance and estimated population total. The variance of an estimated population total is estimated by means of the usual variance estimator of the GREG, where both the finite population correction factor and the stratification are taken into account. That is, in each stratum the variance is estimated by the sample stratum variance of the residuals multiplied by the stratum finite population correction factor and divided by the stratum sample fraction. For ratios it is assumed that the denominator is a fixed value with variance zero.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
See table 13.2.1 "Sampling errors - indicators" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
13.3. Non-sampling error
No additional information.
13.3.1. Coverage error
National Business Register of Dec 2020. This register contains (all) enterprises and their legal units in the Netherlands.
Shortcomings in terms of timeliness (e.g. time lag between last update of the sampling frame and the moment of the actual sampling), geographical coverage, coverage of different subpopulations, etc.
See table 13.3.1 "Coverage error" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
See table 13.3.1.1 "Over-coverage - rate" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
There might be measurement errors due to the use of the questionnaire and respondents may give - consciously or unconsciously - erroneous data. To prevent measurement errors, efforts were made in questionnaire design and testing, and on error reduction.
13.3.3. Non response error
The largest Dutch enterprises were already informed early 2020 that they would be invited for CVTS 6, allowing them to keep track of CVT activities (participation and costs) in their enterprise in 2020. The fieldwork started in Q1 2021. Enterprises received a letter with the request to fill in the CVT questionnaire on internet which could be accessed with the log in code included in the letter. The letter also emphasized the mandatory nature of the survey. Non-responding enterprises were reminded two times, and after that a subset was called by phone. Finally, a selection of the non-response received a letter from our legal administration. The fieldwork officially ended on 31 December 2021.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Measures to reduce non-response were: emphasis on guaranteed privacy; clear questionnaire; possibility to contact a helpdesk; sending reminders and calling subset of non-responding enterprises by phone.
See table 13.3.3.1 "Unit non-response - rate" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
See table 13.3.3.2 "Item non-response - rate" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
13.3.4. Processing error
The data were automatically checked according to the available checking rules in the manual, which were programmed in BLAISE (Manipula). The inevitable occurring errors were corrected by editing and/or imputing of data, using general correction rules. Results per stratum were constantly monitored for plausibility by comparing them to the outcomes of previous CVTS's and other sources (e.g. employment data).
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
No deviation.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Last day reference period: 31-12-2020
First day publication: 23-6-2022
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Last day reference period: 31-12-2020
First day publication: 23-6-2022
14.2. Punctuality
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 "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
No deviations. Data provide a good geographical representation of North-, East-, West-, and South-Netherlands.
No additional variables related to COVID-19 were collected.
See table 15.1 "Comparability - geographical" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Aligned with the requirements for CVTS 6, these remain unchanged compared to CVTS 5. All CVTS 5 questions are implemented in the CVTS 6 survey again. We only added several additional questions (for the ministry of Economic affairs and ministry of Education) in CVTS 6.
A general remark is that COVID-19 could have had a significant impact. However, it is impossible to estimate to what degree.
See table 15.2 "Comparability - over time" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See table 15.3 "Coherence - cross-domain" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
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.
Approximately 100 enterprises made an effort to contact Statistics Netherlands by phone or e-mail with questions concerning f.e. the content of the questionnaire, administrative questions about the deadline, COVID-19 related matters, etc.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
See table 18.1 "Source data and data collection" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Every 5 years.
18.3. Data collection
See also table 18.1 "Source data and data collection" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
18.4. Data validation
In CVTS 6 the sampled enterprises were invited by letter to fill in the questionnaire solely online (CAWI). The data were automatically checked according to the available checking rules in the manual, which were programmed in BLAISE (Manipula). The inevitable occurring errors were corrected by editing and/or imputing of data, mainly using general correction rules. In some cases manual editing/imputing was needed. Results per stratum were constantly monitored for plausibility by comparing them to the outcomes of previous CVTS's.
18.5. Data compilation
For imputation, see 18.5.1.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
See table 18.5.1 "Imputation - rate" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
The overall quality of the survey is good. The question remains to what degree COVID-19 may have biased the results. The use of solely a web-based questionnaire in CVTS 6 avoids routing issues and obliges enterprises to answer in a consistent way. This improves the quality of the received data. Also the pretesting improves the quality of the questionnaire. The quantitative questions (although inevitable) were still not easy to answer by the enterprises. These questions are a fairly high burden for enterprises. This can be concluded from e.g. the received questions by the help-desk. Taking this into account, it is good that large enterprises have received a notification letter in the year prior to the survey year. In this letter they were informed that they would receive an invitation to participate in CVTS 6, early 2021, and which data they were supposed to collect concerning the reference year.
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).
The statistical unit for CVTS 6 is the enterprise.
Enterprise definition is compliant with Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93.
Total number of enterprises in target population: 58 249 enterprises.
Variable A2tot (persons employed) refers to 31 December 2020.
The Netherlands
The reference year for CVTS 6 is the calendar year 2020.
CVTS results are mainly based on survey data. The data collection is an estimation, and should therefore be interpreted with a certain level of caution. However, the response rate was 84%, stratification (NACE and size) was applied in the sample, and with the use of weights a high level of accuracy can be achieved.
Number, %, EUR.
For imputation, see 18.5.1.
See table 18.1 "Source data and data collection" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
Every 5 years.
No deviation.
No deviations. Data provide a good geographical representation of North-, East-, West-, and South-Netherlands.
No additional variables related to COVID-19 were collected.
See table 15.1 "Comparability - geographical" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
Aligned with the requirements for CVTS 6, these remain unchanged compared to CVTS 5. All CVTS 5 questions are implemented in the CVTS 6 survey again. We only added several additional questions (for the ministry of Economic affairs and ministry of Education) in CVTS 6.
A general remark is that COVID-19 could have had a significant impact. However, it is impossible to estimate to what degree.
See table 15.2 "Comparability - over time" in annex "NL - QR tables CVTS 2020 (excel)".
