Yesterday, experts from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania came together for an insightful online session as part of the “Balkan WBL Cooperation” project (2023-1-BG01-KA220-VET-000151297), funded by the EU. The focus of the session was on skills alignment, the anticipation of future industry needs, and the effective evaluation of apprentices during their practical training.
The discussion centered on the crucial task of embedding transversal, green, and digital skills into apprenticeship frameworks. These skills are vital for shaping a workforce capable of meeting both current industry standards and future demands.
The session highlighted the need for formalized collaboration between vocational education and training institutions and employers. Structured partnerships are essential to ensure that the skills apprentices gain during their training are aligned with national education standards and relevant to industry needs. Furthermore, trend analysis and expert input were recognized as key components in integrating digital, green, and transversal skills into work-based learning curricula.
Participants also emphasized the importance of developing standardized assessment tools that holistically evaluate apprentices, taking into account both technical and transversal competencies. This will ensure that apprentices are not only proficient in specific job-related skills but also prepared to meet the broader challenges of tomorrow’s workplace.
The session produced several significant policy recommendations, bringing us closer to improving the alignment between education and industry across the region and strengthening the governance of apprenticeship programs.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners, Modern Education Foundation (Bulgaria), Macedonian Civic Education Center (North Macedonia), National Agency for VET (Bulgaria), Municipality of Reșița (Romania), and IEK DELTA 360 (Greece), whose leadership and contributions were invaluable in this process.
Together, under the “Balkan WBL Cooperation” project, we are working to create a more resilient and responsive work-based learning ecosystem in the Balkan region, ensuring that apprenticeships are future-proof and aligned with the evolving needs of both learners and employers.
For more information about the project, visit our website: www.balkanwbl.eu and follow us on LinkedIn: Balkan WBL Cooperation
