After years of dedicated efforts to bridge the gap between vocational education and the workplace, Skills for Jobs (S4J) is supporting the Albanian Government in fostering partnerships between companies and vocational schools implementing the dual VET. To this end, S4J has facilitated a series of meetings between vocational schools and over 100 businesses from various regions.

These meetings sought to familiarize business representatives with the dual VET framework, outlining the conditions and criteria companies must meet to hire apprentices for vocational training. Discussions also focused on the legal and technical aspects of implementing employment contracts and the company’s role in providing dual VET. For companies, this involves paying apprentices monthly, assigning a mentor for student supervision, guidance, and evaluation, and conducting both interim and final evaluations.

One such meeting, attended by representatives from various companies, was held in Elbasan. Officials from the Elbasan Vocational School engaged in discussions with local car service managers about contracting students enrolled in the “Electro-Auto Services” dual program. Participants explored strategies to encourage company participation in apprenticeships, reviewed curricula, and outlined the overall apprenticeship program within companies.

Cooperation agreements have been signed with over 100 training companies for dual VET and their vacancies have been published on the employment portal of the National Agency for Employment and Skills.

When it comes to mentorship of the apprentices, training for mentors within three months after signing the employment contract is foreseen. Companies will receive support in training mentors on their role and methodology for training and treating apprentices.

On the other hand, vocational schools offering dual VET programs were assisted by S4J to sign cooperation agreements and to publish vacancies for students. VET schools were also supported in the process of evaluating the criteria for engaging companies in dual VET.