The Albanian economy has maintained limited but positive growth and the labour market has experienced positive changes in the last 4 years. Overall, the labour market is characterized by decreasing but high unemployment (12.5%), by informality, low participation of youth (45.2% overall; gender gap of 15%) and women. The share of youngsters not in employment, education or training is above 27%.

More efforts are needed towards an inclusive labour market and VET sector. VET continues to follow a traditional input-oriented approach. There is no standardized instrument for graduate tracing introduced at the system level. A national model for work-based learning (WBL) adapted to the Albanian context is still missing despite several promising pilot projects that have been tested by various donors.

Reforming the VET system and targeting the employment situation of youth is a priority of the Albanian Government. Reforms aim at increasing the quality of education, developing adequate qualifications and fostering skills recognition, improving the attractiveness and relevance of the VET to match the skills demand of the private sector. The relevant policy framework is currently improved and will also restructure the governance of the sector.

- Young women and men have access to a performing, labour market-oriented education and training offer in sectors with growth potential.

- The private sector takes responsibility in the defini-tion, provision and financing of VET on provider level.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

- Better and market-oriented VET provision

- The ratio of graduates that are (self-) employed after graduation increased from 49% to 60%.

- 10’000 young people have used improved VET and 6’000 youth used short term training.

- Drop out level decreased from 15% to 9%.

- The number of students in apprenticeships in-creased from 709 to 3’000, interns from 72 to 600.

- The number of companies co-financing VET pro-vision increased from 300 to 500, the number of companies offering apprenticeships increased from 300 to 420.

- 250 in-company mentors certified.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

In the 7 targeted public VET providers there is in-creased level of:

- Employment (+15%) and income of VET gradu-ates;

- Enrolment rate (+30%) and share of female stu-dents (+5%);

- Higher performing students enrolled;

- Capacitated providers (management, administra-tive and teaching staff); 

- Career orientation and guidance instruments;

- Partnerships with the private sector (325 compa-nies offering apprenticeships to 709 students; 336 companies participating in VET network); 

- Labour market driven VET offer for 3’721 (542F) students and 3’855 trainees (1’778F).

Phase 2 01.05.2019 - 30.06.2023   (Completed)