Inside INNOVET’s interventions in VET public providers

INNOVET is a new initiative for the promotion and integration of creativity, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurship as new required competencies among youngsters attending VET centers and schools, in response to a dynamic demand for skilled labor, fast-changing technology, and competitive markets. INNOVET initiative goes in line with green and digital transformation principles and can become a contributor to the just transition in our society.?

The European Union through EU4Innovation and the German Government through GIZ Albania/ ProSEED 2.0 are powering the INNOVET initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MoECI) and National Agency for Employment and Skills (AKPA).

During these past few months, our partners have been active through different workshops and trainings targeting VET teachers and eventually students, carried out in five public VET providers located in four different cities of Albania. Let’s dive deeper into the INNOVET dimension.

M&M Ivanaj Foundation Institute, an entity keen in nurturing young innovative, entrepreneurial ideas into meaningful projects and eventual partnerships, is working closely with public VTC No.1 in Tirana to develop and present additional methodologies and modern innovative solutions to impact the country’s micro-industry. M&M Ivanaj Foundation Institute conducted a series of ToT sessions, with the objective of training 50 public VET instructors on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

‘Missioners for Social Rights’ are working closely with public VET providers and other partners of INNOVET, to make students of six profiles of ‘Karl Gega’ public VET provider more open to innovation and entrepreneurial concepts. 500 students are expected to be activated through participation in workshops that serve as brief intensive educational programmes.

Further on, The Institute for Change and Leadership in Albania (ICLA) in partnership with Albanian University has given life to “The Living Lab for Innovative Creators” in “Beqir ?ela” VET school in Durr?s. They have been working on formalizing the institutional cooperation between the VET school and the Albanian University; as well as the establishment of a Peer-to-peer electronic teaching/learning environment, besides inspiring study visits of students and academic staff in both partner institutions.

In “Hamdi Bushati” VET school in Shkod?r, Albacademy is working towards introducing innovation and entrepreneurship to the students and establishing a business incubator in the city. The main activity over the past few weeks has been the formalization of the cooperation between the two entities and the advancement in designing new extracurricular theoretical material on entrepreneurship and innovation to be provided to the enrolled students.?

Junior Achievement Albania and Polis University, together, are aiming at transforming education and empowering youth, working towards introducing and supporting the application of innovative and inclusive methodologies and practices in the Construction VET school in Kor?a. So far, they have conducted a “mapping and needs" assessment “of the VET offer in the Korca region, and a validation workshop of the research findings with the different stakeholders.

As the wheels of INNOVET set in motion, we look forward to sharing the unfolding narrative of success ahead, highlighting the transformative impact on youth, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the dynamic landscape of vocational education and training.