Building Skills, Shaping Futures – On the Path to EU Integration

“Building Skills, Shaping Futures – On the Path to EU Integration” is a project aimed at supporting the development of life skills and career guidance in upper secondary education in Albania.

The project is implemented by UNICEF Albania, in partnership with the Centre for Competitive Skills (CCS), and focuses on strengthening the capacities of schools, teachers, school leaders and career guidance coordinators to provide a more structured, inclusive and practical approach to students’ skills development. The project will be implemented over 18 months and will focus on 30 upper secondary schools in selected municipalities across Albania.

At the core of the project are key 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and digital skills. These skills are essential for preparing young people for further education, employment and active participation in society. The project aims to support their integration into teaching and learning processes through digital modules, practical tools, teacher training and school-based support.

A key component of the project is the development and implementation of a structured career guidance model in schools. This model will help students better understand their skills, interests and opportunities, and support them in making informed decisions about their education and professional pathways. The project will also promote stronger cooperation between schools, employment offices, higher education institutions, businesses and local communities.

Through its activities, the project will support:

• the development of digital modules on life skills;
• the training of teachers, school leaders and career guidance coordinators;
• the strengthening of teacher and career guidance networks;
• the development of a structured school-based career guidance model;
• awareness-raising and cooperation activities with labour market actors;
• the provision of technological equipment packages for selected schools.

The project places a strong emphasis on inclusion, equity and unbiased access to career information. It aims to support all students, including those from smaller municipalities, communities with fewer opportunities and more vulnerable backgrounds, by improving their access to skills, information and development opportunities.

At a broader level, the project contributes to the modernisation of pre-university education in Albania and supports the country’s alignment with European integration priorities, particularly in the fields of education, skills, employment and human capital development.