Cooperation towards more relevant and resilient vocational education: National Focus Group was held within the EmployVET project

Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency SERDA, as one of the project partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, started implementing the EmployVET project since December 2023, together with partners from Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. This comprehensive initiative focuses on developing skills adapted to the changing demands of the labor market, while simultaneously strengthening the capacities of both employers and vocational education providers. The goal is to establish effective cooperation that enables employers to actively participate in designing and implementing educational programs, considering the need for green and digital skills in the context of a dual transition.

National Focus Group, held on February 7, 2024 in the premises of the Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency SERDA, was aimed to gather expert opinions on the current state of vocational education in the country, identify the challenges it faces and explore opportunities for improving and strengthening cooperation between employers and VET providers.

Eminent representatives from educational institutions participated in the National Focus Group, such as High School of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, High School Center Hadžići, High School of Transport and Communications, High School Center "Nedžad Ibrišimović" Ilijaš, High School of Metalworking, as well as Institutions for adult education, such as New Occupations, Center for Education DIZART, Center for Business Education, Center for the Promotion of Civil Society and also including DVV International - Office for BiH, who actively contributed to the rich discussion, presenting their perspectives and valuable insights for enhancing vocational education and training in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Today’s Focus Group represents the first step toward building a more productive dialogue between employers and educational institutions, which is crucial for the development of educational programs that can effectively respond to rapid and dynamic changes in the labor market.

Confident that the results of this National Focus Group will be of fundamental importance for further steps in improving relations between employers and vocational education in our region, SERDA and the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH hereby express their gratitude to all participants for their engagement and contribution.