Skills for Jobs (S4J) has entered a new phase of growth, welcoming four vocational schools that join the journey toward a higher-quality education system closely aligned with labor market needs:
- Vocational “Arben Broci” School, Shkodra
- Vocational “Nazmi Rushiti” School, Dibra
- Vocational “Stiliano Bandilli” School, Berat
- Technical Vocational School, Korça
This new collaboration marks an important step in empowering youth through practical and innovative vocational education.
Transfer Agents: The Knowledge Bridge
The integration process of these new schools is supported by Transfer Agents—a network of professionals selected from existing S4J partner schools. These experts play a key role in sharing and implementing best practices developed over years of cooperation with the project, ensuring that acquired experience becomes the standard across the network.
Partnership Alignment Workshop
On May 19–20, S4J organized a workshop with representatives of the four new schools and Transfer Agents, focusing on mutual expectations and the approach to collaboration for the next two years. The discussions highlighted three main pillars of technical support:
- Quality engagement with the private sector
- Digitalization
- Organizational development
The event also welcomed representatives from the Swiss Embassy and the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), bringing broader perspectives and support for transferring best practices.
Welcome Ceremony
During the official welcome ceremony, national and international stakeholders shared their vision for vocational education that responds to real labor market needs.
Project Manager Fation Dragoshi emphasized the vision of building a vocational education system strongly connected to the labor market, focusing on quality, digitalization, and private sector involvement as key pillars for modernizing vocational education in Albania.
Directors of the new partner schools expressed their expectations for this important partnership, as both sides proceeded with the signing of the joint activity plans.
School Visits: Energy and Fresh Ideas
In October, S4J with Transfer Agents and NAES representatives, conducted visits to the four new partner schools. Discussions centered on:
- Institutional development and the role of Development Units
- Monitoring annual plans and tracer results
- Promoting dialogue between schools and the private sector
Schools presented their annual plans for 2025–26 and organized roundtables with businesses to strengthen quality apprenticeships.
Validation Workshop with New Partner Schools
On December 4th, a technical validation workshop was held with the four new partner schools, aiming to create a constructive space for dialogue, alignment of expectations, and harmonization of priorities for 2026.
During the workshop, the main intervention areas of the project, collaboration standards, and mechanisms of technical support were presented, while school representatives contributed with their needs and perspectives for improvement.
The workshop followed an inclusive and collaborative approach, aiming not only to validate the technical areas of cooperation but also to build a shared foundation where the priorities and commitments of both parties are sustainably aligned.
