11 July

At the end of June, The Donor Committee for dual Vocational Education and Training (DC dVET ) conducted a workshop in Tirana. Our colleagues Sidita Dibra (Component Coordinator for ‘New Ways of Learning’ and VET) and Fation Dragoshi (Project Manager) also participated, alongside the representatives of major donor skills development supporting agencies. These are the SDC (Switzerland), GIZ (Germany) ADA (Austria) LED (Liechtenstein) and the implementing organizations of their projects in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. During the two-day workshop, good practices were exchanged and the challenges that are often encountered in skills development in these countries were discussed. Observing the elements of the dual system in Albania was another goal of the workshop. Identifying and then implementing common approaches for improving the VET system in the Eastern European and South Caucasus Regions was the workshop’s ultimate goal. 

Based on the best models and the positive elements of the dual VET system, the S4J Project presented its work in Albania on 29 June. 42 participants of the DC dVET delegation visited Lezha. The first stop was ‘Rapsodia’ Restaurant – Hotel in Shëngjin, one of the partner businesses of the S4J. 

The delegation was received by Alfred Marku, passionate chef and manager of this well-known fusion cooking center. Chef Marku introduced the participants with his work as a mentor of 5 apprentices coming from the vocational school ‘Kolin Gjoka’ in Lezhë. He shared with the guests his perceived advantages for his company in collaborating with the school for year-round apprenticeships. 

During lunch, students presented their dishes and served special dishes to the visitors while telling them something about themselves. Thus, we learned that, e.g., David (16 years old) is specializing in making Tiramisu. He had taken the recipe from the internet and had tried it several times at home. During his apprenticeship at Rapsodia, David had perfected the cooking method of Tiramisu with the help of Chef Mark. He served his tiramisu to the guests at the end of the lunch. Delicious food, elegance in service and impeccable organization by Rapsodia made us proud.

The next stop was at our partner school ‘Kolin Gjoka’. Participants, divided into groups, had the opportunity to see two innovations: The Career Center and a Blended Learning Classroom. At the Career Center, Rudina Gjoka (Career Center Manager), introduced the staff, functions and work of the center. The visitors were interested to know how the apprenticeships in businesses were organized and followed up, the challenges faced as well as the goals for the future.

At the Blended Learning Classroom, Meri Simoni (Hospitality-Tourism teacher) and Jetmir Shtjefni ( ICT teacher), together with Danjela and Romina, 2 students from these profiles, demonstrated the online learning platform ‘Metronom’. Instructional videos developed by teachers, students and business mentors using the ivido.education platform, the IMPRO school management platform and new initiatives were some of the topics discussed with the participants. ‘It was a difficult start. Since the infrastructure was not in place yet, to register the students on the platform I used my personal mobile phone. This is when I realized that anything can be done with a little determination’ – says teacher Mary when taking about the challenges. 

The visit concluded with a group photo near the so-called ‘Wall of Fame’ in the school lobby. On that wall are displayed the names of the companies with which ‘Kolin Gjoka’ school collaborates for the apprenticeships.