Enhancing vocational education and employment opportunities in Kosovo

Context

Unemployment in Kosovo is high. Nevertheless, businesses are finding it difficult to fill vacancies due to a lack of qualified workers.

The public administration still lacks the efficiency required to manage vocational education and training and promote employment. The government is therefore preparing reforms.

Vocational schools do not include gender equality, green skills and digital skills in their curricula. Continuing education courses are outdated, inadequately equipped and insufficiently publicised. Vulnerable and disadvantaged groups face barriers in getting career advice and preparing themselves for the labour market.

Objective

The legal and institutional framework for training skilled workers for a green and digital transformation in Kosovo has been improved.

Approach

Decision-makers, experts and educators are receiving better training in areas such as green energy, sustainable economic activity and digitalisation, which are crucial for Kosovo’s labour market.

The project is also working with the Kosovan Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers (MFLT). Together with these ministries, the project is improving reforms such as legislation on dual vocational education and training and a restructured employment agency to reduce unemployment and increase economic growth. The project is also working with the ministries to implement training vouchers and the European Union's (EU) Youth Guarantee, which aims to ensure that everyone under the age of 30 is able to find a job, continue education, training, or benefit from an internship.

The project is also promoting equal opportunities in schools and workplaces by developing gender equality in career profiles and curricula while also including women and disadvantaged groups in training and labour market initiatives.

Last update: March 2025