Key words: Torino Process, lifelong learning, digital skills, governance
The ETF’s assessment of Montenegro’s progress in vocational education and training, in the framework of the Torino Process, has informed the country’s post-2020 VET Strategy. The review comes at an important time, as Montenegro prepares for a new cycle of reform implementation under IPA 2020, as well as for the next phase of European Union support through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), which will run from 2021-27. The report, by ETF experts, shows a large degree of commitment by Montenegro both to EU accession in general, and to developing human capital through vocational education and training in line with the Copenhagen/Riga Declaration. In January 2020, the VET strategy (2020-24) was approved by the Government with a continued focus on teachers and dual education. This is complemented by other strategic frameworks, including the Strategy for Teacher Training in Montenegro (2017-24), the Adult Education Strategy (2021-25), the Inclusive Education Strategy (2019-25), the MSME Development Strategy (2018-22) and the Smart Specialisation Strategy (2019-24).
The human capital development (HCD) challenges the country faces include:
- a worrying degree of skills mismatch between labour market needs and the training supply offered by the education and training system;
- challenging quality of education, despite a high level of retention of pupils in schools;
- need for stronger cooperation between education and the world of work.
The northern region and women are particularly affected by shortfalls in education quality and labour market opportunities.
Most vocational training takes place in the secondary education sector. Adult participation in lifelong learning was only 3.2% in 2018. To respond to the changing labour market and an ageing population, skills upgrading and development needs to be a priority, with training for entrepreneurial competence and digital literacy essential. The latter is taken seriously but faces a lack of up-to-date hardware and a shortage of licensed teaching software. While many teachers have received the ECDL certificate, more training of teachers and trainers is needed for digital learning.
The ETF has produced recommendations for Montenegro based on the Torino Process report, as follows:
- Further develop the system for recognition of non-formal and informal learning
- Further develop dual education
- Focus on key competences
- Further revise the structure of occupations
- Further develop a framework for the shared governance of VET, including monitoring and financing tools
Montenegro’s progress and challenges can be viewed in the context of the whole South Eastern Europe and Turkey (SEET) region in this report.
Please log in or sign up to comment.