Early Warning System and Social Emotional Learning in 12 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Schools in Albania

Funded by: UNICEF Albania
Implementation Period: 13/01/2025 – 15/04/2026
Regions: Tirana, Vlora, and Shkodra, Albania

In the second phase of the project, the Early Warning System (EWS) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs will continue to be implemented in 12 vocational education and training schools in the regions of Tirana, Vlora, and Shkodra in Albania. This phase aims to consolidate and expand the results achieved in the first phase by sustainably reducing dropout rates and addressing challenges related to youth who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET).

The project will focus on building the capacities of teaching staff and support structures through advanced training and continuous mentoring on the implementation of EWS and SEL. The training of 250 teachers and education staff is planned and continuation of work to develop inclusive strategies to support students at risk, as well as to design individualized dropout prevention plans.

Another focus of the second phase is strengthening institutional ownership and sustainability of interventions through small grants to schools, for the implementation of community-based dropout prevention projects, grounded in the needs and ideas of the school communities.

The implementation of the Early Warning System and Social Emotional Learning programs strengthens schools’ capacities to identify and support students at risk by creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. This intervention responds to the need for a more sustainable vocational education system, closely linked to the needs of the labor market and society.

This project is implemented in close collaboration with key institutional actors such as the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVETQ) and the National Agency for Vocational Education (AKPA).

Expected Results:

• Training and mentoring over 250 education staff on EWS and SEL
• Development of individualized dropout prevention plans for students at risk
• Implementation of inclusive strategies to support students at risk
• Integration of EWS into schools’ self-evaluation and accreditation processes
• Strengthening institutional cooperation with NAES, NAVETQ, and other stakeholders
• Provision of small grants to schools for implementing community projects

Beneficiaries:

• Over 250 trained and mentored education staff (general and vocational teachers, psychologists, social workers, school leaders)
• VET students at risk of dropping out, involved in individual plans and support activities
• Public institutions (NAES, NAVETQ) with strengthened capacities to integrate EWS/SEL in the system

Documents developed to support the project:

• Training curricula for EWS and SEL
• Training and implementation manual for the system
• Tools for self-monitoring and quality assessment of implementation in schools
• Model packages for school projects focusing on EWS and SEL
• Financial mechanism for distributing small grants

Expected achievements:

• Development of a functional and transferable model for implementing EWS and SEL in vocational education
• Creation of sustainable structures within schools to identify and support students at risk of dropping out
• Increased attendance and improved emotional and academic well-being of youth in vocational schools
• Development of institutional cooperation with coordinated approaches between schools and national vocational education authorities