Dual education in Montenegro

Dual education in Montenegro

Since the academic year 2017/18 the Montenegrin Vocational Education system is offering a new type of three year programme: dual education. While learning at the workplace is an option in regular three year programmes it is now compulsory in the new dual programmes. Learners that enrol in such a programme spend one day per week at the workplace in their first year, two in the second and three in the third. The company and the student sign a so called ‘contract on practical education’.

A cost-sharing mechanism between government and employers ensures that learners are compensated for their work in all three years. The Ministry of Education subsidises the pay of students in dual education to the extent of at least 10% of the minimum net wage in the first grade, and at least 15% in the second grade while employers have to cover year 3 (at least 20% of the minimum net wage).

The country’s efforts to introduce more learning at the workplace into a traditionally rather school-based VET system are in line with the EU’s 2015 Riga conclusions which put a strong emphasis on the promotion of work-based learning. Montenegro also joined the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) which was launched to mobilise action to strengthen the quality, supply, image and mobility of apprenticeships.