Albania Pioneers Dual VET: Students Learn Their Trade Through Work-Based Learning
Over 200 vocational education students in Albania are embarking on a new learning journey through dual VET. This innovative approach integrates theoretical learning in the classroom with hands-on professional training within companies. This first year of implementation in Albania marks a promising development for the future of young people and the evolving needs of the labor market. Skills for Jobs (S4J) is providing crucial technical support for this initiative.
The dual VET model effectively combines the advantages of theoretical instruction with practical, real-world experience in company workplaces. Students develop general knowledge and vocational theory subjects/modules at school, while dedicating a significant portion of their weekly schedule – 6 to 8 hours daily, up to 30 hours weekly – to learning directly from employers, following a structured on-the-job training plan. Currently, students are engaged in learning profiles such as: culinary arts, reception services, multimedia, auto-electrical services, and the installation and maintenance of low, medium, and high-voltage power lines.
This process, while demanding, stands as a testament to the collective will and dedication of all stakeholders involved in its realization. Collaborative efforts have focused on establishing a shared understanding of the legal framework, functions, and responsibilities, as well as forging new pathways for cooperation between schools and companies. Furthermore, partner companies have received ongoing support through regular capacity-building meetings, aimed at adapting their role as providers of on-the-job vocational training. This has included familiarization and implementation of the new legal framework, as well as active engagement in the processes of enacting student vocational training contracts under the guidance of mentors.
“Dual VET is not merely a new teaching model – it represents a complete transformation in how young people are prepared for their professional lives. It significantly enhances employability, develops skills demanded by the market, and builds strong collaborative bridges between schools and employers.”
Fation Dragoshi, Skills for Jobs (S4J) Project Manager
A steady expansion of the dual model is anticipated in the coming years, with the development of new curricula and the inclusion of more schools and companies. This will progressively establish this approach as a new standard for vocational education in Albania.
