The 2024 Winter School, titled “Internal Mechanisms of Success: Transforming the Albanian VET System,” convened in Tirana to address the evolving landscape of vocational education and training (VET). This event, organized on December 3rd and 4th, brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and industry representatives, to explore innovative approaches to improving the quality and relevance of VET programs.

Ms. Argjentina Grazhdani, Swisscontact Albania Country Director, opened the event by acknowledging Swisscontact’s 30-year dedication in skills development and VET in Albania. Skills for Jobs (S4J) highlighted its commitment to expanding support to a wider range of vocational schools through innovative methodologies.

A panel discussion featuring representatives from the Embassy of Switzerland in Albania, the National Agency for Employment and Skills, and the National Agency for Education, Vocational Training and Qualifications explored the challenges and opportunities for human capital development in Albania. Experts also addressed the critical issue of implementing innovation within the VET system.

To address challenges in implementing VET innovation, Professor Emeritus Dr. Dieter Euler from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, presented a framework for adapting the Swiss model of sustainable support to the Albanian context. Building on this, the “Skills for Jobs” and SD4E (UNDP Albania) project teams detailed practical applications of Swiss support within Albania’s VET system, from school to systemic levels.

Parallel sessions, led by the S4J team and transfer agents, showcased S4J-developed innovations and facilitated inter-school experience exchange, covering: Strategic VET Quality Planning (Migena Kapllanaj), Private Sector Engagement (Elton Jorgji), Dynamic VET Offer with Industry Collaboration (Oltjon Valisi), and Findings from the National VET Graduate Tracer (Aleka Papa).

Day two of the Winter School 2024 was marked by vibrant discussions and interactive presentations. Erka Çaro, Deputy Project Manager of “Skills for Jobs,” and Aleka Papa, Portfolio Manager for Sustainability, detailed the S4J approach in its third phase, emphasizing the transfer of innovative processes to vocational schools. They also highlighted the crucial role of transfer experts from partner schools. Vocational school representatives actively participated, outlining their specific needs for future S4J interventions.

The program then featured parallel sessions, led by the S4J team and transfer agents, focusing on: Development Unit Service Quality (Migena Kapllanaj), Quality of Apprenticeships in Business (Erka Çaro and Aurora Marku), VET Digitalization (Eriola Shingjergji and Edlira Kola), Learning Process Management (Prof. Robert Gjedia), and The New Dual VET Initiative (Oltjon Valisi and Elton Jorgji).

The Winter School concluded with a strong emphasis on the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the success of the Albanian VET system. Participants recognized the crucial role of vocational education in providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the modern workforce and contribute to the economic growth of the country.