10 May

ICT companies in Albania are struggling to find qualified workers, particularly for Programming, a market that is rapidly expanding in recent years. This is a clear sign for schools to start thinking how to equip students with the right skills in due time to serve the industry needs.

Currently, Programming as an educational direction is offered mainly in universities. It takes a few years before a student acquires the right skills to enter the job market as a qualified programmer.

Only 2 vocational schools have included Programming as an educational direction in their offer. Inspired by this example and in collaboration with industry front-runners, ‘Skills for Jobs’ project is committed to introduce Programming in vocational schools in Albania. 

In November 2017, the project teamed up with 11 ICT leading companies based in Tirana, who engaged to offer apprenticeships for VET students in ‘Kolin Gjoka’ school in Lezha and Industrial ‘Pavarësia’ school in Vlora. As the ICT enables people to work from wherever they are, a remote apprenticeship model was established as a solution. Vodafone, New Media Communication, Facilization, Landmark, Albanian Business Partner, Dentem, ATIS, Gjeo-Vjosa, Tech360, CEI, Big Media Expert, are the first companies to pioneer this model. 

Following the signing of MoUs between vocational schools and ICT companies in February, the ICT students from both schools were presented with their mentors and assignments. 

The apprenticeship model started functioning in early March 2018. Every week students engage in apprenticeship sessions with in-business mentors over Papion, an online communication platform that was selected to smooth collaboration between in-company mentors, students and teachers by supporting them.