The National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), supported by Skills for Jobs (S4J), organized in April a national training program aimed to equip VET institutions with the necessary tools and knowledge to adapt their educational offerings to better align with the demands of the evolving labor market.

The training program utilized a blended learning approach, starting with an online section that preceded regional face-to-face sessions. Participants included Directors, Deputy Directors, Curricula Coordinators, Business Relations Coordinators, and Heads of Development Units from VET institutions.

During the online section, participants were introduced to the manual on “Offer Diversification,” various training modalities, and the overarching learning objectives of the program. This online component effectively laid the groundwork for the subsequent in-person trainings.

Building on the momentum of the online phase, regional face-to-face trainings took place in Korça, Vlora, Shkodra and Tirana. The core objective of these regional trainings was to empower VET schools to strategically adapt their educational offers to effectively meet the current and future needs of the labor market.

The training, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, was organized in three main parts:

1. Concept Introduction: Trainers explained the three steps of offer diversification: analyzing needs, decision-making process, and strategic planning.

2. Hands-on Application: Participants used the manual’s tools in the context of their schools.

3. Discussion and Feedback: NAES representatives provided feedback to ensure the training aligned with national goals.

Looking ahead, the next crucial steps in this national initiative involve updating and widely disseminating the “Offer Diversification” manual. This will ensure that all VET institutions across Albania have access to the resources and guidance necessary to effectively diversify their educational offerings and contribute to a more skilled and employable workforce.