Albania

ILO support to get ready for employment and skills development

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has assisted Albania in its preparation for the next EU funds cycle to support the implementation of its National Employment and Skills Strategy.

Press release | 10 May 2016
The ILO has been assisting the Government of Albania – in particular the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth to strengthen dialogue with the EU Delegation in preparation for the next IPA funds cycle (which includes an EU Sector Reform Contract for Employment and Skills through a Budget Support modality) since January 2015. ILO experts have also participated in the establishment and functioning of an Integrated Policy Management Group (IMPG) at the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth created with the aim to improve policy coordination and oversight of the monitoring mechanisms of sectoral strategies’ implementation.

The overall objective of this EU Sector Reform Contract is to contribute to a more inclusive and effective labour market by supporting the employment and skills development policy of the Albania Government as defined in its National Employment and Skills Strategy (NESS) 2014-2020The EU Sector Reform Contract (SRC) for Employment and Skills is expected to be signed in mid-2016, with an overall estimated budget of EUR 30 Million for the period 2016-2018. This is a financial support for implementing the National Employment and Skills Strategy of Albania for 2014-2020.. The specific objectives of the NESS are:
  1. Increase labour market participation and provide job opportunities for all;
  2. Improve the quality and increase the coverage of vocational education and training (VET);
  3. Improve the quality and effectiveness of labour market institutions and services.
The ILO has also supported the Ministry to implement a monitoring system and to draft the first Annual Progress Report of the Employment and Skills Strategy 2014-2020. The progress report is also a pre-condition for the signature of this Sector Reform Contract.

The Sector Reform Contract will contribute to the following expected results:
  • Employment of women and youth is increased;
  • Labour market participation of vulnerable and marginalized people is increased;
  • Competences of VET teachers and teachers' trainers are improved;
  • VET offers and employment opportunities are better matched;
  • The Albanian qualifications framework is developed and implemented;
  • The National Employment Service at central, regional and local level is modernized and its functioning is more efficient;
  • The compliance of the labour market legal and institutional framework with ratified international conventions is ensured;
  • The technical capacities, human resources and coordination mechanisms for effectively implementing the NESS strategy are in place.
The outputs of this four-year SRC were defined with the involvement of the ILO in a performance assessment framework of general criteria and indicators related to key employment and skills development measures and reforms the Government is expected to fulfill.

Close cooperation with Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship is necessary in planning of joint activities, funds allocation, disbursement procedures, monitoring and reporting. The European Commission will audit the disbursement according to pre-established European standards and procedures.