Development partners, implementers and policy stakeholders from across Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans gathered in Durrës, Albania, to mark a significant milestone: the 10-year anniversary of DC dVET, the Donor Committee for Dual Vocational Education and Training. Swisscontact’s active involvement, through both its Skills for Jobs (S4J) project in Albania and the Matching Skills to Jobs (MSJ) project in Kosovo, stood out as a reflection of the organization’s deep commitment to shaping responsive, inclusive, and future-ready TVET systems.
The two-day event brought together representatives from ADA, BMZ, LED and SDC, as well as stakeholders from Moldova, Ukraine, the Caucasus and the Western Balkans. It served as both a celebration and a strategic stocktaking exercise.
During the event, Swisscontact’s Skills for Jobs (S4J) project in Albania was highlighted as a flagship example of successfully integrating the dual VET approach. On stage, the project manager, Fation Dragoshi shared valuable insights into how S4J has bridged the gap between education and the labor market through close collaboration with private sector partners and schools. To complement this discussion, DC dVET organized a study visit to a technical economic school, one of S4J’s long-standing partner institutions, where board members witnessed first-hand how dual VET is implemented in practice, with students alternating between classroom learning and company-based training.
Majlinda Rizvanolli, project manager of the Matching Skills to Jobs (MSJ) project in Kosovo, participated in a high-level panel discussion on regional perspectives of dual vocational training and education (VET). This event provided an opportunity to showcase the unique experiences of Kosovo in this field. Her contribution illustrated how collaboration between public institutions and businesses is helping align vocational training with real market needs. Meanwhile, Kushtrim Bajrami, Team Leader of one of the components at MSJ, participated in a panel on donor coordination, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing donor efforts and aligning private sector engagement with national TVET policies.
Swisscontact’s dual-project representation showcased the strategic link between localized implementation and regional learning loops, reinforcing how Swisscontact’s systemic approach adds value beyond national borders.
At the marketplace, Swisscontact used the opportunity to showcase a range of capitalisation products that reflected its forward-looking and systemic approach. Among them was a brochure and position paper on Green Skills and Jobs, underscoring the organization’s commitment to equipping young people with future-ready competencies and promoting climate-resilient employment pathways. In addition, Swisscontact highlighted its role as a co-anchor of the MSD4E Community of Practice, a regional platform that fosters systemic thinking and collaboration across education and labor market actors. Finally, the stand featured a selection of evidence-based tools developed through its skills and labor market programming, designed to more accurately match labor market demand with skills supply, an essential component in building responsive and inclusive VET systems.
A key moment in the agenda was the BarCamp session titled “Navigating Mobility: How Can Dual VET Respond to Migration Dynamics?”, moderated by Sidita Dibra, Skills Development Adviser from Swisscontact. The session explored how youth aspirations, mobility patterns and migration pressures intersect with vocational education systems in the Western Balkans.
Participants engaged in honest, grounded discussions about how dual VET could both mitigate the drivers of emigration, by offering skills that lead to decent work locally, and foster integration pathways for those returning or arriving from elsewhere.
The event also underscored the importance of local ownership and stakeholder engagement in the implementation of dual VET. Alongside Swisscontact representatives, partners from both projects, including policy-makers, training providers, and private sector representatives, were present and active throughout the workshop. These key actors shared reflections on their achievements, such as improved coordination mechanisms and successful student placements, while also openly discussing ongoing challenges related to institutional alignment, company readiness, and sustainable financing models. Their presence not only added credibility to the showcased results but also demonstrated the broad-based commitment needed to embed dual VET as a systemic reform across the region.
This dual lens is central to Swisscontact’s approach, particularly in contexts where TVET must navigate demographic shifts, labor market volatility and social inclusion.
