One of the three pillars of ‘Skills for Jobs’ S4J is to ‘bring schools to businesses and business to schools. The cooperation between companies and schools comes in many forms (i.e. company-based practical learning, curricula revision, sponsorships, company visits).

Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for youngsters enrolled in VET schools to prepare for their future work places. Throughout the school year, in company mentors guide apprentices during the practical training hours spent in businesses with the assistance and supervision of the school instructors. To make sure the mentors provide their valuable input in the assessment of the students/apprentices in the ‘level exams’, ‘Skills for Jobs’ S4J partner schools organized this year open exams (some of them in the company premises) where the company mentors where invited.

School principals and instructors recognize this practice as very valuable to get a more accurate evaluation for the students and get the private sector companies more involved in the professional development of the VET students. Mentors have shown great enthusiasm for being involved in the evaluation process.

For the time being, in Albania the evaluation from the in-company mentor is not regulated by the legal framework of the VET system. Skills for Jobs is supporting, together with other partners, the National Agency for Vocational Education, Training and Qualifications and the Line Ministry to develop the legal provisions to enable the engagement of in-company mentors to evaluate the achievements of the students for the practical part.