Prishtina, 30 October, 2023
The Executive Commission for the development of the Vocational Education and Training system (AAP), led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, held its sixth meeting in a row today.
This time, international donors were also part of the meeting, whom the Prime Minister thanked for their financial support, the sharing of experiences from their countries, as well as the provision of technical assistance in the implementation of our VET system, elements which have been essential in our progress so far.
Until last year for the first time we started dual education in four professional schools, with four profiles in three different municipalities, this academic year, 2023-2024, we expanded dual education to 12 new profiles, from four schools we went to 21 schools, and from three municipalities we reached 14 all over Kosovo.
The focus of this discussion was the preparation of over 800 students in their engagement in suitable companies to undergo the practical part of dual education, in the second semester, with whose experiences we will be able to design and implement a coherent strategy.
Prime Minister Kurti reiterated that the implementation of VET, i.e. offering the opportunity to every young man and woman, to attend vocational education and learn the trade they want is a key promise of the Government, which promises a qualified workforce for our industries which consequently serves economic and social growth in Kosovo.
In the presence of the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Taulant Kemlendi, the Deputy Ministers of Finance, Labor and Transfers, Getoar Mjeku and Agon Dobruna, as well as the members of the Executive Commission, were revealed results and plans for improving vocational education and training.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Mrs. Rozeta Hajdari,
Dear Deputy Minister Kelmendi, Doctor of Dobruna,
Dear development partners,
Dear participants,
I am pleased to welcome you all to the sixth meeting of the Executive Committee for the development of the Vocational Education and Training System (VET) for the needs of the labor market in the Republic of Kosovo. This time we are pleased to have international donors with us, to talk especially about the structuring of cooperation between schools and companies, as well as the increase of capacities within schools to enable the implementation of the dual education system, connecting students with companies as soon as possible.
But first I would like to express our sincere gratitude as the Government to the international donors for their valuable contribution. Your financial support, sharing experiences from your countries, as well as providing technical assistance in the implementation of our VET system, have been essential in our progress so far.
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who are an integral part of this AAP governance reformation.
The implementation of Vocational Education and Training, i.e. providing opportunities for every young man and woman, to follow vocational education and learn the trade they want is a key promise of our Government. It is clear that without a proper VET system, there will not be enough skilled manpower for our industries. This would serve economic and social growth in Kosovo.
Last year, for the first time, we started dual education in 4 professional schools, with 4 profiles in 3 different municipalities. In the 2023-2024 academic year of dual education, we also expanded with 8 new profiles, i.e. a tripling of profiles, with a total of 12, from 4 schools we went to 21 schools, i.e. more than fivefold, and from 3 municipalities we went to 14 municipalities through throughout Kosovo. This is a very important step for connecting education with the labor market.
Now I am curious to hear about the preparations for the engagement of over 800 female students in suitable companies to undergo the practical part of the dual education, in the second semester. This phase is still in the pilot phase and we are confident that with the experiences gained from over 800 students we will be able to design and implement a coherent strategy.
For this it is essential that we coordinate the financial and technical support of international donors. By working together, we can provide a comprehensive and effective VET system that meets the demands of our labor market.
Once again, I thank you all for your presence and dedication in this important matter. Let’s continue to work together towards a brighter future for the Republic of Kosovo.
With this, I want to pass the floor now to the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Taulant Kelmendi, who will elaborate the next phase of this school year.
Thank you.
Last modified: October 30, 2023