The IPA 2010 programme, funded by the EU and implemented by the ILO, participated in the modernisation of the State Labour Inspectorate and National Employment Service in order to provide better employment services for job seekers. It also delivered technical assistance to the reform of the vocational and education training system with the goal of matching skills of Albanian workforce with the needs of the labour market.

Significant results of the project included

• the drafting and adoption of the National Employment and Skills Strategy and Action Plan (2014-2020);
• the drafting of an Occupational Health and Safety Strategy and Action Plan for 2015-2020 as well as 21 related laws;
• amendments to the Vocational Education and Training Law, and its respective 21 by-laws;
• the drafting of an Employment and Skills Development Fund draft law to improve financial mechanisms of the sector;
• the training of 360 labour inspectors and over 220 National Employment Service staff;
• the development of information management systems for the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth and the State Labour Inspectorate;
• the preparation of a labour market skills needs analysis;
• the piloting of the Recognition of Prior Learning mechanisms in garment and footwear manufacturing industry;
• a feasibility study on vocational education and training expansion, and the drafting of 4 frame curricula for this level of qualification;
• the evaluation of the existing Employment Promotion Programmes.

The Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador, Romana Vlahutin, the ILO Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Antonio Graziosi, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, Gentjana Sula, the ILO chief technical adviser, Maria do Carmo Gomes, representatives of the government, the social partners and officials of Albanian education and labour institutions also discussed the results of the project and the way ahead for Albania’s labour market and vocational education reform.

"Now, it is the time for the Albanian government, not just to help current jobseekers find employment, but to guide prospective members of the workforce. To make smart choices about their education and profession and future. To be able to realize their dreams, and to support themselves and their families", underlined Ambassador Vlahutin during her speech.

The project was supported by the EU with a € 3M grant (IPA 2010) and implemented by the ILO in partnership with Albania’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the State Inspectorate for Labour and Social Services, the National Employment Service and the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Qualification.