The European Projects in the Support of Albanian's VET

• Author: Ermira Kastriot Sela
• Pages: 329-334

Social Innovation and Social Economy

329

The European Projects in the Support of Albanian’s VET

Ermira Sela1

Abstract: The main objectives of Albanian society are economic development and integration into the

European Union. These aspirations need the acceleration of structural reforms that will allow to Albania

to be adapted to modern societies. In th is contest, the improvement on the role played by education,

especially b y VET system, is very important for the economic and social development of the country.

Generally, VET is seen as a key factor in the economic growth because he equips people with the skills

needed to be p rotagonists in the labor market. This s ystem in Albania has undergone toward many

changes in structure and content, with the aim of improving his approach to the requirements of the labor

market. However, to provide a vocational education of high quality it’s important to invest more in it, but

the Albanian investments in this sector are among the lowest. In these conditions, the partnership with EU

offers a great opportunity for the country to develop the VET system. This paper tries to show how has

Albania used the opportunities that derive from integration process. The method used is qualitative. In

consideration are taken the reports, studies and statistics get into the sector of vocational education.

Keywords: vocational education; unemployment; labor market; European Union

JEL Classification: I2; I29

1. Introduction

The development of globalization and changes in technology has transformed the world of work. In

order to be competitive in the global market a country needs qualified workforce. So, more and more

the emphasis is placed on the importance that human capital has on the economic growth. For these

reasons, it is given greater significance to vocational education. He represents a field of education,

which includes all those programs that are related to the development of specific skills for work.

(Billet, 2011, p. 6). Precisely this is his main purpose the identification of the necessary knowledge,

which increases effectiveness in a particular profession. Numerous studies have shown its positive

effects. Within the socioeconomic dimension the benefits that vocational education brings to society

are associated with: reducing unemployment, improving labor market, improving social cohesion,

increasing productivity, improving the quality of life, etc.2

VET help in the sustainable youth employment, because in comparison with other education and

training systems, is closest to the labor market, something that facilitates the transition of young

people at work. So, it is seen as a tool to mitigate youth unemployment, which constitutes one of the

main problems of the current societies. The latest data onto the European level indicate that, graduates

1 Student, University of Tirana, Albania, Address: Bulevardi Zogu I, Tiranë, Albania, Tel.: 00355 69 3377371,

Corresponding author: ermirasela@hotmail.com.

2Cedefop. (2011). Research paper no 10, The benefits of vocational education and training. pg.7

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Internet/My%20Documents/Downloads/5510_en.pdf.