ILO Convention No. 140 (1974) aims to promote education and training during working hours, with financial entitlements. The Convention provides that the ratifying State shall formulate and apply a policy designed to promote the granting of paid educational leave. Its implementation may be by means of national laws and regulations, collective agreements, arbitration awards, and so on. The aims to be pursued (if need be by stages) are: training at any level; general, social and civic education; and trade union education. The Convention specifies the following main objectives of this policy: (1) the acquisition, improvement and adaptation of occupational and functional skills; (2) the promotion of employment and job security in conditions of scientific and technological development, for example; (3) the competent and active participation of workers and their representatives in the life of the undertaking and of the community; (4) the human, social and cultural advancement of the workers; and (5) continuing education and training. This policy shall take account of the stage of development and the particular needs of the country, and shall be coordinated with general policies concerning employment, education and training, and hours of work. The public authorities, employers and workers organizations and the institutions concerned shall be associated with the formulation and application of the policy. Financing shall be on a regular and adequate basis. Paid educational leave shall not be denied to workers on the grounds of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin. The period of paid educational leave shall be assimilated to a period of effective service for the purpose of establishing claims to social benefits and other rights deriving from the employment relation. See: Education