Torino Process Assessment Kosovo - key recommendations

The ETF published its most recent assessment on policies for human capital development in Kosovo in 2020. The challenges are many for this small country with the youngest population in Europe.

Kosovo continues to struggle from a legacy of war which ended in 1999. It is part of the reason for its economic underdevelopment, high unemployment, dependency on international donations and immigrants abroad who send money home. Kosovo has the highest youth unemployment and fewest women working in the Western Balkan region; these poor socio-economic conditions are fuelling emigration.

Labour market data show that vocational education and training can considerably improve employment possibilities for young people and ultimately contribute to the country’s economic development and growth, but progress must be made on this front.

The recent assessment makes several recommendations. These include reviewing governance and financing arrangements for vocational education and training, and tackling youth unemployment and the low participation of women in the labour market through appropriate policies across a number of policy areas.

By revising the legal framework for VET and creating a well-resourced vocational training and adult education agency, by better adjusting the network of vocational training providers and courses to labour demand and skills needs, vocational education and training can be improved for all target groups. At the same time, institutions require higher levels of autonomy, for which the heads of schools need to increase their skills. There is a need for decent facilities and skilled teachers to improve programmes in public vocational schools.

To tackle youth unemployment, an economic cluster-based approach can be developed. This would link together businesses in the region or along a specific value chain, which in turn can help new businesses. The human skills needed by these businesses should be aligned with the education and training given to young people. Coaching and employment schemes could help young people gain skills and competences to enter the labour market. This includes entrepreneurial and start-up mentalities.

Several factors are responsible for the low participation of women in the labour market. First, there is a need for affordable facilities for child and elderly care. Then, changing labour regulations to improve working conditions for women, ensuring that employment policies are gender sensitive. Young women need to have access to education, and others to be able to reintegrate into the education and training system, with a guarantee that they can complete their studies and gain relevant skills. Next, professional networks and entrepreneurship schemes for women can be strengthened.

These recommendations would help address the enormous challenges young men and women face when entering the labour market, allowing Kosovo and its people to build on its youthful population.