The European Training Foundation (ETF) and the European Commission (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion – DG EMPL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania, organized the 9th Annual Seminar for partner countries of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA). The event took place in Tirana on 17–18 October 2024.

The seminar gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including government institutions, businesses, social partners, chambers of commerce, vocational education and training (VET) providers, regional authorities, youth representatives, and other key actors from EU Member States and ETF Partner Countries.

As part of the program, S4J facilitated parallel site visits for participants to three vocational schools in Tirana: the Hospitality and Tourism Vocational High School, Gjergj Canco School, and the Technical Economic School. These visits offered participants first-hand insights into ongoing initiatives that promote apprenticeships across various sectors.

During the seminar, EU social partners emphasized the importance of apprenticeships for both young people and adults as a strategic response to labour market and skills shortages. They advocated for high-quality, adaptable employment opportunities enabled through reskilling and upskilling, while underscoring the need for strong collaboration among stakeholders, mutual learning, and comprehensive skills development to ensure sustainable workforce integration.