Vocational and professional training
In 2002, Law Nr. 8872/2002 on Vocational Education and Training in the Republic of Albania was passed and amended in 2008 and again in 2011 with Law Nr. 10434/2011. The National strategy for employment and Skills, 2014-2020 (NESS) came into force through approval by a Decision of the Council of Ministers Nr. 818/2014. The NESS focussed on four sub-strategies: Foster decent job opportunities through effective labour market policies; Offer quality vocational education and training to youth and adults; Promote social inclusion and territorial cohesion; and strengthen the governance of the labour market and qualification system175.
In 2015 Albania became a member of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, and as an EU Candidate Country committed to the goals of the RIga Conclusions176.
In 2016, Cultural Heritage Without Borders implemented a programme called “Skills for employment” funded by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Government of Sweden. This was in response to the issue of non-qualification of skills of former workers of “conservation ateliers” in the communist era. The skills of experienced craftspeople were not formally recognized after the 1990s leaving these workers out of the labour force, or working below their abilities. The programme consisted of 5 training modules in the main historical cities of Albania (Durrës, Gjirokastra, Berat and Korça) and by 2020 had certified 230 people (18 master craftspeople and 212 apprentices). Included in the programme were the Institute of Monuments of Culture, the Regional Directorates for National Culture in Gjirokastra, Berat and Korça; the National Directorates of Public Vocational Training in Gjirokastra and Korça and “Stiliano Bandilli” High School, Berat, as well as technical support from domestic and international experts.
Tourism is also a focus of several different vocational training programmes.
In 2017 a new Law on Vocational Education and Training in Albania was passed, and soon after the National Strategy for Employment and Skills 2014-2020 was extended to 2022.
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