Technical Assistance Projects in VET Republic of Moldova Aurelia Vartic VET projects consultant LED Moldova Chisinau, 11/07/11 Moldovan VET sector after 1998 little experience in determining skill needs and developing standards little cooperation with businesses outdated curricula poor investment in the VET sector aging teaching staff obsolete equipment lack of sector attractiveness to students and their parents First EU support in VET sector Tacis project “Reform of the vocational education and training system of Moldova” (1998-2000) experiments with more decentralized schools development of the multifaceted school, providing four years of secondary education and thus ensuring potential access to higher education Recent and current players in VET Sweden Switzerland Liechtenstein Austria Germany Support to the Labour Market Authorities and Vocational Education Services in working towards improving the Labour Market in Moldova Financed by: SIDA Implemented by: Hifab International Project duration: 01/01/2006 – 30/12/2010 Budget: approx. 1,580,000 EUR Project goal: reforming the VET system establish a firm cooperation between education, employment, regional development authorities, and social partners around a newly established national centre for VET Development Specific attention was given to vulnerable groups on the labor market Moldovan Occupational Standards, Assessment and Certification (SOMEC) Financed by: SDC Implemented by: INBAS & IFCP Project duration: 01/03/06 – 31/03/10 Project budget: 2’000.000 CHF Project goal: - develop occupational standards (OS) - build up and institutionalize a national system of assessment and certification of vocational competences. Major achievements: - National capacity built in OS and assessment - National Council on Occupational Standards, Assessment and Certification (OSAC) has been established by Government - eight OS (draft) based on DACUM methodology Strengthening of Vocational Education and Training in Moldova (CONSEPT) Financed and implemented by: LED Project duration: 2008 – 2014 (phase I & II) Project budget: phase I: 1’290.000 EUR Project goal: Strengthen a number of VET schools In supporting the reforms of VET, project activities focus on: - Organizational development - Staff development (instructional and occupational skills) together with TUM - Equipment supply Synergy of donors input SIDA/Hifab –development of VET policies, labor market needs analysis, teachers training, guidance, actions for vulnerable groups, social dialogue, etc. SDC/IFCP - development of OS and assessment LED/CONSEPT – strengthen the school level by capacity building and modernization of workshops. Joint pilot activities had been implemented Agricultural Schools as Centers of Competence for Regional Education and Training (MOLAGRI) Financed by: ADA, ME of RM, KulturKontakt Austria (impl) Project duration: 01/12/04 – 30/08/13 Project budget: 560.000 EUR Project goal: improve the ability of school leavers to develop business activities based on small and medium sized family-farmsteads. In its two beneficiary schools the project works on: - adjusting the school program to the needs in the region; - making school a center for regional development in agriculture; - developing curricula on grape-growing/winemaking and legumiculture “VET school develops as a training provider for WSS in Moldova” Financed by ADA implemented by IFCP project duration – 01/01/10 – 31/12/12 project goal “Two VET institutions provide demand-driven initial and further training in occupations relevant for WSS”. Major activities: - occupational profiles for plumber and electrician - update curricula for the 2 occupations - procure necessary equipment Training Firms (ECO NET Moldova) Financed by: ADA Implemented by: KulturKontakt Austria Project duration: 01/09/06 – 30/12/13 Project goal: To provide the innovative, practically- orientated teaching method “Training Firm” Focus on secondary business and vocational education institutions. Moldovan Employment and Entrepreneurship Education and Training Activity (MEEETA) Financed by: LED Implemented by Winrock Moldova Project duration: oct. 2008 – 2013 (Phase I & II) Project budget: 2’036.706 USD Project goal: Helping young people to get employed or self-employed by: - Revision of entrepreneurship curriculum in VETS; - Teacher training; - Training of young people for employment; - Training of young people for self-employment. Strengthening initial and continuing training of handcrafts in Moldova Financed by: BMZ Implemented by: CCI Moldova & CC Koblenz Project duration: Jul. 2007 – 2012 (phase I & II) Project goal: Increase workers’ skills according to the labor market demands based on German dual system “HIV/AIDS Prevention in Eastern Europe” Moldova component Financed by: GIZ Implemented by: GFA & CMB Project duration: 01/01/09 – 30/11/10 Project goal: To support the HIV/AID prevention in VET system Curriculum, along with teacher’s book and student’s book, for a Healthy Life Style course was developed. European Training Foundation ETF has been assisting Moldova for about 10 years to reform the education, training and labor market systems coordination with other donors in the VET sector, searching for synergies and sharing tools under the Mobility Partnership. labor market demand analysis, reviewing education and training system and support the social partnership latest analysis carried out in Moldova: - Torino Process (21/01/11) - A Study of the Moldovan VET System and its Relevance to Labor Market (01/06/05) - The Challenges of Lifelong Learning Report (01/06/05) Lessons learned All relevant stakeholders and decision making bodies are to be on board; participatory approach is a must; Policies/strategies should reflect the economic development of the country, its constitution and culture; Policies cannot simply be transplanted from another country; Policies/strategies should not stand alone, but should be part of a well-designed package of measures for their implementation. Lessons learned Policies should be reflected in annual and medium-term plans, and budgets of government Activities supported by donors should be well coordinated with national partners Products proposed to be developed have to be in line with EU standards but also adjusted to national context Projects should have an exit strategy and the national counterpart should take ownership of the projects’ products