The Center for Competitive Skills (CCS), in cooperation with VET providers and their partner companies, will implement an intensive training program for 40 in-company mentors as part of the pilot phase of the dual VET scheme during the 2024/2025 academic year. The initiative aims to strengthen the work-based learning component.
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.
