Reform of Vocational Education and Training (VET) System in Serbia – Capacity Building and Implementation Support – Phase II

Project Background:

The aim of the project is to assist the Government in the development of a coherent vocational education and training (VET) policy and strategy designed to support social and economic development. VET shall be modernised, taking into account labour market needs and thus contributing to the economic development and social stabilisation in Serbia through a well skilled labour force. The beneficiary authority is the MoES, while the national VET centre is the direct project partner. The project is implemented in 15 pilot/demonstration schools and will cover the sectors tourism, wood processing and ICT.

Objectives:

 Build up the institutional capacity of the MoES, MoLESA and other national stakeholders in order to develop and implement a policy and strategy framework for vocational education and training, based on partnership and ensuring the link between training provision and economic development. The outcome is to be the development of an NQF system in particular. 

• Strengthen the capacity of national and local actors to design and implement new VET programmes for young people and adults (HRD and curricula development) 

• Upgrade the school infrastructure (equipment specification and EIB Education Sector Loan support)

Activities:

• Development of a national VET policy and strategy for secondary VET and continuing/adult training

• Institutional strengthening and capacity building

• Modernisation of secondary VET curricula

• Human resources development (teacher/instructor training and management training)

• Design and implementation of a school partnership fund

• Assuring the sustainable functioning of 5 regional training centres (RTCs) for adults

• Monitoring of pilot projects funded under the MoES Innovation Fund

• Specification of VET equipment and teaching aids; tendering-out and contracting; monitoring delivery

• Assisting MoES with tendering and contracting, monitoring and implementation of all EIB Emergency Education Loan activities (25€ million loan for the construction of 9 VET schools and equipment upgrade)

• Preparation and implementation of a communication strategy to raise public awareness of the VET reform process and project results

• Donor coordination.