📋 Tender Overview
Albania is reforming its vocational education and training system to upgrade the students’ employability. S4J promotes work-based learning, digitalization and diversification of the VET offer, as per the labour market needs. To sustain the reform process, the exit phase consolidates the transfer of these innovative processes to additional VET providers and companies.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Albania
Vocational training
Employment & economic development
Vocational training
Employment creation
01.07.2023 - 30.06.2027
CHF 7’780’000
The project in brief
Background
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.
Objectives Young women and men from all social groups in Albania find attractive and gainful employment thanks to improved skills.
Target groups The direct target groups are the public VET providers and companies offering WBL. As part of the efforts to transfer the S4J innovations to the VET system, the two national agencies in charge of VET will benefit. All VET participants (17’000 students, 11’000 adults, including young women and special needs groups) gain increased access to an improved VET offer.
Medium-term outcomes
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.
Results Expected results:
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.
Results from previous phases:
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 grad
