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

The training includes the development of a practical and easy-to-implement approach for the preparation and assessment of mentors, an introductory training for 15 VET teachers as lead instructors, and the certification of 40 mentors from participating companies. This intervention aims to contribute to the development of a national model for in-company mentor training, as an integral part of the dual VET system in Albania.

The in-company mentor preparation program for dual VET in Albania, implemented by the Center for Competitive Skills, is supported by the Regional Challenge Fund — an instrument of the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6-CIF) — with the goal of fostering cooperation between the vocational education system and the private sector in the region.

Duration: March – April 2025

The objective of this program is to strengthen the work-based learning component of dual vocational education in Albania through the training and certification of in-company mentors and the development of a sustainable training model based on strong cooperation between education and business.

Expected outcomes of the training include:

The development of a pragmatic and easy-to-implement approach for training and assessing in-company mentors, covering the modules and learning outcomes defined in the official curriculum of December 2024 (Code: PK-Y-3-24);

The formation of a group of 15 VET teachers as mentor trainers, capable of expanding and sustaining mentor training within companies;

The training and certification of 40 qualified in-company mentors, selected from partner companies participating in the dual VET pilot during the 2024/2025 academic year;

The collection and documentation of lessons learned from the implementation of this training measure, along with concrete recommendations for improving and scaling the mentor training model, with the aim of integrating it as a core component of the national dual VET system in Albania.

Why is this project important?

This project plays a critical role in improving the alignment between vocational education and the real needs of the labor market in Albania. By training and certifying in-company mentors, it strengthens the practical element of dual education, helping young people acquire relevant skills and hands-on experience. The initiative also creates stronger opportunities for sustainable employment and supports capacity development among companies and educational institutions, contributing to the country’s broader economic and social development.