Phase 3

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Skills for Jobs (S4J)

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 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.
Directorate/federal office responsible	SDC
Project partners	Contract partner Private sector Swiss Non-profit Organisation Foreign private sector North Swisscontact
Coordination with other projects and actors	Switzerland, together with the line ministry and EUD co-chair the relevant donor coordination group. S4J will closely collaborate with its sister project Skills Development for Employment, with a focus on reinforcing synergies.
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF 7’780’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 960’000 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF 25’410’000
Project phases	Phase 3 01.07.2023 - 30.06.2027 (Current phase) Phase 2 01.05.2019 - 30.06.2023 (Completed) Phase 1 01.03.2015 - 30.04.2019 (Completed)

Further technical details

Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	EDUCATION OTHER SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	Vocational training Employment policy and administrative management
Aid Type	Mandate with fiduciary funds Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project number	7F08727