19.03.2025

The Balkan WBL Cooperation project is pleased to announce the release of its latest policy recommendations report, focusing on Cooperation with the Business in the context of Work-Based Learning.

This new publication is the result of several months of in-depth research, stakeholder consultations, and cross-country collaboration among our partners in Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania. The report addresses key issues affecting the quality and sustainability of cooperation between VET institutions and companies – a crucial element for the successful implementation of WBL schemes.

The analysis covers four main thematic areas: Partnership models and governance structures; Communication and coordination mechanisms; Mentorship and supervision and Legal and policy frameworks supporting cooperation.

The findings highlight both good practices and common challenges, such as the lack of structured dialogue, inconsistent roles, or limited support for business involvement in WBL. Based on these insights, the document offers practical and realistic recommendations aimed at improving the overall cooperation framework and making it more responsive to the needs of learners, companies, and education providers alike.

The policy brief is intended for policy makers, practitioners, VET providers, and employers seeking to strengthen partnerships and ensure more effective transitions from education to employment through quality WBL experiences.

18.02.2025

VET experts from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania met to discuss how training institutions and businesses can work together more effectively. The meeting focused on identifying practical ways to strengthen these partnerships.

One of the biggest challenges raised was communication mechanisms and their implementation between vocational training institutions and companies. While some countries have formal agreements in place, misunderstandings and mismatched expectations often create obstacles. In other cases, partnerships rely too much on personal relationships, making them fragile and difficult to sustain. Participants shared examples from their own countries and discussed possible solutions, including clearer roles, better coordination mechanisms, and stronger support for business mentors.

Another key issue was the role of policies and regulations in either helping or hindering business involvement in work-based learning. Some experts pointed out that complicated procedures discourage companies from participating, while others noted that businesses often lack incentives to engage in apprenticeship programs. There was a shared understanding that policies should be more flexible and responsive to the needs of both businesses and learners.

This discussion is an important step toward building stronger, more sustainable partnerships between vocational education and the world of work. Insights from the session will contribute to ongoing research within the project, helping shape recommendations that make cooperation between businesses and training providers more effective across the Balkans.

01.11.2024

The Balkan WBL Cooperation project team is pleased to announce that our second policy recommendations document, dedicated to the thematic area of Skills in Work-Based Learning, is now freely available for download. 

This comprehensive report offers an in-depth overview of WBL-related skills across the partner countries involved in the project: Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania.

Drawing on insights gathered through extensive desk research and surveys conducted by our partner organizations, the report addresses critical challenges identified in the areas of practical training alignment with learning outcomes, the integration of transversal skills and competencies, and the need for enhanced knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. 

These recommendations aim to facilitate the continuous improvement of WBL programs, ensuring that learning outcomes are better aligned with the changing demands of both global and local labor markets.

We invite all interested stakeholders to download and review this valuable resource to support the development of robust, skill-centered WBL systems.

01.10.2024

Yesterday, experts from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania came together for an insightful online session on skills alignment, the anticipation of future industry needs, and the effective evaluation of apprentices during their practical training.

The discussion centered on the crucial task of embedding transversal, green, and digital skills into apprenticeship frameworks. These skills are vital for shaping a workforce capable of meeting both current industry standards and future demands.

The session highlighted the need for formalized collaboration between vocational education and training institutions and employers. Structured partnerships are essential to ensure that the skills apprentices gain during their training are aligned with national education standards and relevant to industry needs. Furthermore, trend analysis and expert input were recognized as key components in integrating digital, green, and transversal skills into work-based learning curricula.

Participants also emphasized the importance of developing standardized assessment tools that holistically evaluate apprentices, taking into account both technical and transversal competencies. This will ensure that apprentices are not only proficient in specific job-related skills but also prepared to meet the broader challenges of tomorrow’s workplace.

The session produced several significant policy recommendations, bringing us closer to improving the alignment between education and industry across the region and strengthening the governance of apprenticeship programs.

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