Skills for Jobs (S4J)

• Albania’s population has witnessed contraction and aging in the recent years. The economy expanded in 2021 and labour force participation increased to 72%; with an unemployment rate of 12%. Longterm unemployment remains high.
• VET has undergone important reforms, especially in its legal, organisational, and quality assurance framework, implementation of work-based learning (WBL) and digitalization. Yet, VET attractiveness as an educational pathway and private sector engagement in VET remain modest.
• There is momentum to improve VET. Capacitating the national actors to absorb the innovation is crucial. Switzerland is very well positioned to stimulate the positive change.

• Young women and men have access to a performing, labour marketoriented education and training offer.
• The private sector takes responsibility in the definition, provision, and financing of VET at the provider level.

Resultados previstos:  

• VET providers are able to deliver quality, modernized, and demand-driven VET offer: 1) Digitalization of VET; 2) Internal processes and structures adapted; 3) Continuous professional development models introduced and consolidated.
• Private Sector companies are able to and collaborate with VET providers, applying consolidated collaboration processes, contributing to a more relevant VET system. 1) Business relations and network; 2) Quality WBL in company; 3) Offer diversification and upskilling.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

• Phase 1: Increased enrolment rate (+30%) and employment of graduates (+15%) in 7 partner providers. 325 companies hosted 709 apprentices. 3’741 (14.4% female) students and 4’855 (36.6%f) trainees benefit from an improved VET offer.
• Phase 2: 10’300 (20%f) students and 2’297(51%f) trainees benefit from an improved VET offer in 11 partner providers. 709 companies host 7’131 (22.4%f) apprentices. 71% (58%f) of graduates employed one year after graduation.
• Shifting from a largely school-based public VET system to one with a significant component of workbased learning (WBL). VET digitalization benefitted 85% of all VET students.