New Vienna Development Cooperation flagship project in Albania

Since September 2021, the City of Vienna has been implementing a development cooperation flagship project aimed at improving vocational training for young people in Albania. With a view to making a sustainable contribution to improving the labour market situation in Albania, the City of Vienna is financing a project focused on enhancing vocational training offers for young people in the tourism/hospitality and IT sectors. Annual funding for the project that covers a period of three years and was designed by OeAD GmbH (Agency for Education and Internationalisation) amounts to 400,000 euros.

The project entitled "AL-VET - Quality for All, high quality and socially inclusive vocational education and training in Albania" aims to increase the quality of and access to vocational training opportunities. In this context, a particular focus is placed on contributing to promoting the employability of girls and women. Accordingly, the provision of specialised training to around 7,700 young people is a priority under this project.

Fields of action

Under the project's field of action 1 a total of 150 teachers are receiving training in giving practical and skills-oriented lessons. The relevant skills acquired will in future facilitate labour market-oriented education and training of young people. Furthermore, job profiles, skills descriptions and curricula adapted to labour market requirements will be developed for cooks and tourism/hospitality assistants. This is achieved by employing a mix of methods, involving workshops, peer learning, specific practical lessons and digital teaching/studying formats. Hence, relevant teaching material is developed while school-based quality management is also promoted. In line with the concept of dual training and education, intensive cooperation with companies creates the basis for acquisition of practical skills.

Field of action 2 focuses on improving girls' access to vocational training and education. Since the share of girls participating in vocational education currently ranges at only 14 per cent in Albania, in-depth career counselling will be provided, and enhanced measures aimed at raising awareness about working in growth sectors among both girls and their parents are to be developed. Likewise, existing barriers to access for girls are to be removed. This relates especially to boarding schools that are not only outdated in terms of the way they are run but are also in a poor state of repair. In this context, training seminars, presentations and information events will be held to change prevailing gender stereotypes influencing individual school or career choices. In this spirit, projects are being organised, an awareness-raising campaign is being conducted on social media and parents as well as school staff are being sensitised. With a view to creating a conducive learning environment, study spaces and common rooms as well as kitchens and school canteens are being refurbished at four boarding schools.