The project ‘Skills for sustainable jobs in Kosovo’ is a joint initiative between the Luxembourg Agency for Development Cooperation (LuxDev) and the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (APRK). This collaboration aims to improve Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Kosovo, in order to better align workers’ skills with the requirements of the private sector.
In response to an identified, crucial need for sustainable economic and social development, this project seeks to bridge the gap between the skills taught in education systems and those required by local employers.
Main aims and objectives
One of the main objectives of the project is to strengthen the capacity of vocational training centres across the country. This includes developing and accrediting new programmes, updating existing curricula, as well as providing the necessary technical equipment for hands-on workshops. Another goal of the project relates to strengthening the skills of teachers and management staff, promoting lifelong learning, and boosting the participation of women in vocational courses and training.
Project activities are concentrated around 4 priority areas, or sectors: 1) Information and communication technologies (ICT), 2) renewable energy and energy efficiency, 3) food processing, and 4) woodworking.
The activities of this project are implemented over a period of 25 months, with specific milestones planned all the way until end of March 2025. These steps include supporting food processing workshops in Peja, transitioning from an electrical installer profile to a dedicated renewable energy workshop in Mitrovica, as well as improving digital skills training through a new online portal and dashboard on the Employment Agency for the Republic of Kosovo (APRK)’s website. These efforts illustrate the commitment of governments in both Kosovo and Luxembourg to contribute in building up a skilled workforce in Kosovo, and ultimately drive forward long-term economic stability and growth. They are also sign of effective cross-border collaboration between countries with more advanced digital capabilities and those in need of a boost to bridge the gap.
Why is this a good practice?
The project directly contributes to sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation, inclusiveness and social development, imagining (and simultaneously working towards) a greener Kosovo. The specific objective of the project is to improve employment opportunities for young people and women, by strengthening vocational education and training to meet labour market needs – and such, it scores high in aspects such as inclusivity, relevance, and accessibility (with a focus on vulnerable groups).
Recognition of informal learning to bridge job market gaps
An important aspect of this initiative is the support to the Acknowledgement of Experience (RAE) system. This system allows individuals to obtain official recognition of skills and knowledge acquired outside of traditional educational settings. This recognition aims to promote vocational training services and improve the overall quality of VET provision in Kosovo. By facilitating the recognition of skills acquired outside of the remits of formal education, the project encourages greater inclusion of workers in the formal labour market, which contributes to reducing unemployment and improving social mobility.
Joining forces across countries to boost skills
‘Skills for sustainable jobs in Kosovo’ is a key initiative for the development of Kosovo, aiming to reduce the gap between education and labour market needs, while supporting the recognition of skills acquired outside formal education systems. This project demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in fostering social and economic inclusion, and excellence in fostering professional development as a crucial prerequisite for sustainable growth and stability. The results of this project are expected not only to improve the skills of Kosovar workers, but to also contribute to a more resilient and competitive economy in the long term.
Source: European Digital Skills & Jobs Platform
