There are several ways how institutions can collaborate with partner entities. Offering internships is one of these forms.

Offering internship programs help the institution to expand its areas of activity and partnerships, creating new collaboration programs and opportunities of mutual benefit that enhance its potential. Internships are beneficial both for the institution and the intern, who receives a gradual and guided process of integration into the labour market.

After carefully looking into the legislation and methodology for offering internships, it became clear that VET provider institutions are also eligible to offer and benefit from the following work-based learning programs:

1. internships for students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree;
2. internships for unemployed jobseekers who have completed their study cycle in the country or abroad in less than 24 months (DCM No.873, dated 27.12.2006, as amended by DCM No.187, dated 2.4.2014).

In this context, S4J partner VET providers are also suitable institutions where graduates can obtain practical knowledge and skills. The diverse dynamics of directions and services that VET providers offer make these institutions valuable to guarantee the terrain and resources needed for delivering quality internships.

Following this analysis, two S4J partner VET providers, vocational “Hamdi Bushati” school in Shkodra and vocational “Kolin Gjoka” school in Lezha, have prepared all the necessary resources and infrastructure for deploying the internship program, including defining profiles of interns, their benefits, assignments, mentor and the environment where the internship will take place.

In the beginning of October, in collaboration with the National Employment Service and in the framework of the Employment Promotion Program, both institutions started offering internships to university students. The first two interns (one in each VET provider) will be supported and guided by Development Unit directors in carrying out activities related to the functions of this unit, based on a well-defined work plan.

As the teaching and learning process in S4J partner VET providers is closely linked to work-based learning in companies, hiring interns will allow these institutions to recognize and apply themselves the dynamics and mechanisms that influence the deployment of qualitative work-based learning and positively influence the refinement of the apprenticeship process implemented by the provider.

Frequent contact and cooperation with universities and public institutions increases the visibility and credibility of VET providers in the regions where they operate, as well as the chances for more strategic partnerships and collaborations in the future.