CREATIVO

The low relevance of obtained skills is a general problem for the Moldovan labour market, but it is more acute in the case of young people and adults benefiting from the educational programs provided by VET institutions. For example, the NEET rate among VET graduates is higher compared to the overall NEET.

The project will address the following main problem: VET institutions are not effectively demand driven in providing training services to employers nor do they implement school-based economic/ entrepreneurial activities so that trainees gain relevant labour market skills.

CEDA’s analysis indicates that low relevance of VET institution offers is highly related to the following four root causes:

i. VET institutions do not have sufficient capacity and expertise to effectively engage with private sector companies and customers;

ii. VET institutions have low capacity to develop and implement demand-oriented CVET programs for private companies or other clients that are looking for upskilling or re-skilling programs;

iii. Production oriented VET institutions cannot organise viable economic/entrepreneurial activities models that offer trainees the opportunity to gain practical experience that fits real job requirements.

iv. VET institutions have insufficient managerial and technical capacity to become more accountable and focused on the needs of the students.

To provide quality (initial and continuous) VET services that develop skills demanded on the labour market, VET institutions should implement demand-oriented approaches.

At least 10 institutions will be selected to participate in this project. In the application stage, the institutions will choose one of the two options: development of market-driven, inclusive courses or development of universally designed goods / services.

The project’s interventions at institutional, beneficiary and policy levels will contribute to strengthening the cooperation between the private sector and VET institutions. At the same time, it will support VET institutions to carry out school-based economic/entrepreneurial activities to generate income and enable VET students to acquire relevant labour market skills.