The results of the regional project Enhancements in the Quality of Education and Training in South Eastern Europe (EQET SEE) were the focus of the conference Enhancements in the Quality of Education and Training organized jointly by the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and the Vocational Education and Training Center on 19 February 2025.

The project, which started in 2021, was implemented under the Secretariat for Educational Reform Initiatives in South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), with the support of the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF) and the European Training Foundation (ETF), and was funded by the Austrian Development Agency, with a budget of approximately €2 million. The project was carried out in six Western Balkan countries and consisted of two main components:

1.     Development of occupational standards and qualifications in the agriculture and mechanical engineering sectors.

2.     Ensuring quality in education, focusing on external evaluation of institutions.

The project activities involved vocational education and training centers, chambers of commerce, the business community, qualification agencies, the Bureau for Development of Education, and education inspectorates at the national and regional levels. This initiative builds upon the previous project Towards Regionally-based Occupational Standards (2019–2021), which focused on developing five regional occupational standards in the hospitality, tourism, and construction sectors, aligning national business needs and strengthening the connection between education and business.

During the conference, the importance of regional cooperation among Western Balkan countries was emphasized, as it creates opportunities for joint activities aimed at improving business conditions, increasing competitiveness, and boosting export potential. To achieve these goals, it is crucial to enhance human capital and establish qualifications that are recognized across the Western Balkans, facilitating the mobility of skilled professionals within the region. The conference featured three panel discussions to present the results achieved over the four-year project implementation period.

The first panel discussion, titled Vocational Education and Training, included representatives from vocational schools and focused on:

• Development of two occupational standards for the profession of agricultural technician (both traditional and organic production).
• Standardization of the locksmith qualification at the regional level.
• Preparation of educational materials and supporting documents, including work guides.
• Training of 222 teachers, work-based learning coordinators, and company mentors for the two qualifications.
• Establishment of the South Eastern European Vocational Education and Training Network.

The second panel discussion, titled The Role of Business in Implementing Results, featured representatives from the Economic Chamber and the business community, who discussed their involvement in creating occupational standards and qualifications. The business sector plays a key role in defining job descriptions and the required skills and knowledge needed for professionals. This alignment between business needs and education has a significant impact on:

1.     Increasing market competitiveness through skill standardization.

·        Occupational standards clearly define knowledge, skills, and competencies required for various professions.

·        This enables businesses to access skilled labor, which is critical for productivity and competitiveness.

2.     Supporting economic development by aligning education with labor market needs.

·        Business participation in shaping curricula ensures that education and training meet modern industry demands.

3.     Reducing the informal economy through job formalization.

·        Establishing recognized occupational standards encourages compliance with regulations, ensuring that workers and businesses adhere to legal norms.

The third panel discussion, titled Quality Assurance, focused on ensuring quality in vocational education. Representatives from the State Education Inspectorate and the Bureau for Development of Education presented:

·        Competency standards for external evaluators.

·        A questionnaire for evaluating institutional needs.

·        A training program for external evaluators, which included professional development sessions for advisors conducting educational assessments.

As part of this component, a comprehensive analysis of the state of quality assurance was conducted across all participating countries. A regional study was also carried out to identify evaluator needs and share best practices from the six participating economies.

The conference was attended by representatives from the business sector and the Ministry of Education and Science, teachers and directors of vocational schools, and representatives from the Economic Chamber and the Center for the Development of Education and Training.