Strengthen the capacity of institutions operating in the field of Vocational Training to provide skills adequately aligned with the needs of the ecological and digital transition in the Western Balkans region.
Context
The economies of the Western Balkans are facing significant challenges in terms of employment and skills development. Despite the fundamental importance of skills for economic well-being, social cohesion and general well-being, there is still a marked gap between the educational provision of Vocational Education and Training in the Western Balkans and the needs of the labour market, especially concerning digital skills and those related to environmental sustainability. The INVEST project aims to enhance the capacity of institutions in Vocational Training to provide skills adequately aligned with the needs of the ecological and digital transition in the Western Balkans region. Through the harmonization of digital literacy and sustainability-oriented skills with European and international standards, INVEST aims to strengthen the role of VET institutions in contributing to the acquisition of professional skills, promoting them as Continuing Professional Training centers for secondary VET schools in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Objectives
- Strengthening Vocational Institutes: raising the capacity of vocational institutes in the Western Balkans to provide adequate skills to the needs of the ecological and digital transition.
- Alignment with International Guidelines: ensure that the skills taught in vocational schools are in line with the latest EU recommendations and international standards for digitalization and sustainability.
- Promotion of Vocational Institutes: consolidate the role of vocational institutes as vital centres for continuous professional development, enhancing learning for both students and trainers in key regions.
Activity
- Development of the INVEST Framework: develop a comprehensive framework that identifies the skills, knowledge, and values needed by vocational school students, with a particular emphasis on digital and environmental skills.
- Capacity Building program: implementation of a training program for educators and trainers, aimed at strengthening their skills in transmitting digital and environmental skills to students.
- Local Pilot events: four pilot events will be implemented in Western Balkan countries to test and refine the application of the INVEST framework and innovative teaching methodologies in local vocational schools.
Resources
- Guidelines: a structured set of guidelines that outline the skills, knowledge, and values that vocational school students should acquire, with a focus on green and digital skills.
- Capacity Building Training Material: teaching resources, manuals and guides created to support the training programme of educators and trainers, ensuring that they are equipped to teach the competencies identified in the INVEST framework.
- Local Pilot events Toolkit: toolkits and resources specifically designed to support implementing local pilot events, including adaptable learning materials, methodological guides, and assessment tools.
- Digital and Technological Platforms: development and use of digital platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration between project partners and interaction with students, as well as supporting distance learning and hybrid learning methods.
- Collaboration networks: create and consolidate networks between vocational institutes, project partners, and other relevant stakeholders to foster the exchange of good practices, continuous professional updating, and mutual support.
Impact
- Advanced training for educators: educators from vocational schools in the Western Balkans will acquire advanced skills in the digital and green fields, responding to the needs of the labour market and aligning with EU directives.
- Didactic Improvement: teachers will effectively introduce topics related to sustainability and digitalization in classrooms, enriching students’ educational experiences.
- Strengthened institutional capacity: vocational colleges will be state-of-the-art centres for learning future skills, particularly in green economies.
- Networking and collaboration: educational organizations will create strong networks with secondary schools, promoting innovation and the integration of new teaching methods.
- Long-Term sustainable development: teachers and students will promote sustainable lifestyles and work skills, positively influencing the local community and the work sector.
Partner
- INCOMA (Spain, coordinator)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- CIOFS-FP (Italy)
- Albanian Skills (Albania)
- CEM (Montenegro)
- KOSOVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (Kosovo)
- CETEOR (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
