“Professional studies connect the lecture hall with the labour market and the laboratory with businesses, giving degrees greater value when they are designed well,” Kumbaro said at the inauguration.

She said Durres, with its port, industrial, tourism and logistics sectors, was well placed to benefit from programmes tailored to labour-market needs.

Kumbaro said more than 1,900 new students had enrolled at Durres University this academic year, attributing the increase to investment and improvements in teaching quality.

She also highlighted the university’s progress in internationalisation, saying its scientific journal had been indexed in Scopus, while the University of Tirana had this year become the first Albanian university to be ranked by Times Higher Education.

The University “Aleksandër Moisiu” is among institutions holding “reporter” status with Times Higher Education, she said, alongside four private universities, with the aim of being ranked in the future.

Kumbaro said Albanian universities were expanding joint and double-degree programmes with institutions in Italy, Portugal, Germany and Spain, while 26 new programmes were being added to the range of courses taught in English.

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Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj wished students a successful school year, with a special message for those starting vocational education for the first time.

“A special wish goes to the 10th-grade students who are beginning their journey towards their chosen profession,” Ibrahimaj said.

She said enrolment for 10th grade vocational programmes would remain open until Sept. 30 through Albania’s e-Albania government services portal.

Vocational education schools offer a range of programmes combining classroom-based learning with practical training and work experience in professions in demand in the labour market.

More than 17,000 young people will attend vocational education this year at 31 public schools nationwide. Vocational students now account for 19.4% of all secondary education enrolment, up from 12.7% in 2013.

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This marks a significant step toward the government’s strategic goal of having one in three students enrolled in vocational education by 2030.

AKPA credited the progress to sustained government reforms including investments in modern infrastructure and equipped laboratories, improved quality through qualified teaching staff, expansion of study profiles tailored to market needs, and further development of dual education in partnership with businesses.

Students now benefit from more concrete opportunities for professional training and employment, making vocational education an increasingly popular and valued choice across the country.

Vocational education is viewed as a pathway to future employment and faster integration of young people into the labor market.

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The program offers professional training in hospitality and tourism, delivered in English and emphasizing practical skills based on the Swiss dual education model. Students acquire in-demand skills that increase their employability both domestically and abroad.

Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, announced Tuesday that registrations are open for this program, which introduces a modern, integrated approach to vocational education in Albania.

“Enroll in the ‘VET by EHL’ vocational program, in partnership with the Swiss EHL school. Earn an internationally recognized qualification in hospitality and tourism, learn in English, and gain extensive employment opportunities,” Gonxhja said.

Data from the National Employment and Skills Agency shows that over 60% of vocational education students take up jobs through school-based placements during their third year or within six months after graduation. In specific sectors like hospitality and tourism, this figure reaches up to 80%.

To support students, especially those from low-income families, more than 2,500 social scholarships of up to 7,320 lek per month are available.

Applications for 10th grade are submitted online via the government portal “e-Albania,” where parents can apply and receive responses directly from schools.

Vocational secondary education provides two-, three-, and four-year qualification programs, preparing students for specific professions by developing practical skills and applicable knowledge.

The system offers qualifications at levels II, III, and IV of the Albanian Qualifications Framework, training skilled workers and mid-level technicians across various fields.

Currently, Albania’s public vocational education system includes 41 institutions (31 schools and 10 training centers), offering 26 fields of study and 93 study profiles, including five dual education profiles.

This system focuses on practical and professional skill development aligned with labor market demands, contributing to higher employment rates and the country’s economic growth.

Upon graduation, students receive a diploma or professional certificate enabling immediate employment or further studies at higher levels.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama took to the social media on Sunday to share sequences of Albania’s incredible tourism potential, urging young people to go for hospitality, tourism and hotel management vocational education  that is training  a young generation of skilled workforce and providing students with unique opportunities to build their skills and pursue successful careers.

From sophisticated kitchens to the best possible service, young Albanians are being trained to become skilled professionals in hospitality and tourism management.

In a video posted by PM Rama, a hotel and tourism management student in Tirana said he opted for this vocational education program after having previously worked in this trade.

“In addition to attending this school, I am currently working as an assistant chief at a restaurant in Tirana,” another student said, calling on young people to enrol in vocational education as the best way to pursue a career and better future.

Vocational education and training produces tomorrow’s workforce and therefore plays a key role in economic growth, employment generation and social stability.

Through vocational education, students are trained in hotel services management, culinary arts and hospitality, enhancing the quality and visitor experience.

In order to best meet the demands of the new era in which professional education has ushered in Albania, but also to meet the growing business demand, the government has undertaken the initiative to implement the dual system, relying on the best international practices.

Vocational education and training can be a major engine of economic growth, prosperity and progress by filling gaps and mismatches in the labour market, minimising labour shortages, and increasing labour productivity.

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Evai Billa, an automotive mechanic student at Karl Gega school, said in a video shared by PM Rama that he had chosen this school program as he wishes “to become a skilled mechanic in the future.”

“I would like to call on all my peers to choose vocational education,” he said.

Arbër Skureni, also attending the same study program, underlines that he was driven by his passion for cars and their repair.

“We attend many hours of practical training and we are ready to access the labour market,” he said, urging all his friends to choose this school for them to have high employment opportunities and lead a successful career in the future.

A total of 4828 student, or 10% more than a year ago, enrolled in vocational education across Albania via the e-Albanian portal this year, as vocational education and training is becoming the best choice for young people and a safe and fast-track route for their career development and integration into the labour market.

Vocational education encompasses a diverse range of study areas, each providing students with unique opportunities to build their skills and pursue successful careers.

In order to best meet the demands of the new era in which professional education has ushered in Albania, but also to meet the growing business demand, the government has undertaken the initiative to implement the dual system, relying on the best international practices.

Vocational education and training can be a major engine of economic growth, prosperity and progress by filling gaps and mismatches in the labour market, minimising labour shortages, and increasing labour productivity.

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Since 2017,  “Kristo Isak” vocational education schools trains students in social and healthcare training programmes and it has been reconstructed and best equipped to provide optimum learning environments.

Students in this secondary vocational education institution are enrolled in combined school- and work-based programmes and they are provided the opportunity to work in hospitals, social and healthcare centres to develop skills and gain access to the labour market.

Health Minister Koçiu noted that the school is also specialized in teaching students to provide care for people with disabilities and this school graduates are currently working in 30 specialized centres across Albania. The experience these students amass in these centres is key to their training and professional skills required to contribute to the community welfare.

“’Kristo Isak’ school has set an example of how vocational education and social care can cooperate to train young professionals and deliver real change to the people in need and to the society as a whole,” Koçiu said.

“Kristo Isak” vocational education school trains students in the travel and tourism, as well as social and healthcare service programmes, with over 67% of its graduates taking up high paying jobs before and right after their graduation.

Vocational education and training is the best choice for students as the safest and fast-track route for their career development and integration into the labour market.

Vocational education and training can be a major engine of economic growth, prosperity and progress by filling gaps and mismatches in the labour market, minimising labour shortages, and increasing labour productivity.

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“The government support aims at integrating every student enrolled in the vocational education and supporting priority economy sectors with skilled labour force and high-paying jobs,” Gonxhja said.

More than 4500 students are enrolled in vocational education across Albania this year and a total of 15 000 young people attend vocational education schools currently.

Vocational education encompasses a diverse range of study areas, each providing students with unique opportunities to build their skills and pursue successful careers.

Vocational education helps young people develop their know-how and opportunities to gain access to the labour market.

In order to best meet the demands of the vocational education in Albania, but also to meet the growing business demand, the government has undertaken the initiative to implement the dual system, relying on the best international practices.

Vocational education and training can be a major engine of economic growth, prosperity and progress by filling gaps and mismatches in the labour market, minimizing labour shortages, and increasing labour productivity.

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Inviting young people to enrol in vocational education schools across Albania, Gonxhnja underlined that the findings of the National Employment Agency show that over 60% of the vocational education graduates take up high paying jobs before and right after their graduation.

More than 4500 students are enrolled in vocational education across Albania this year and a total of 15 000 young people attend vocational education schools currently.

Vocational education encompasses a diverse range of study areas, each providing students with unique opportunities to build their skills and pursue successful careers.

Vocational education helps young people develop their know-how and opportunities to gain access to the labour market.

The Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation is providing more than 2500 scholarships to vocational education students.

In order to best meet the demands of the new era in which professional education has ushered in Albania, but also to meet the growing business demand, the government has undertaken the initiative to implement the dual system, relying on the best international practices.

Vocational education and training can be a major engine of economic growth, prosperity and progress by filling gaps and mismatches in the labour market, minimising labour shortages, and increasing labour productivity.

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According to the Ministry figures, a total of 15 000 young people are attending vocational education schools in Albania.

Vocational education encompasses a diverse range of study areas, each providing students with unique opportunities to build their skills and pursue successful careers.

Vocational education helps young people develop their know-how and opportunities to gain access to the labour market.

The Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation is providing more than 2500 scholarships to vocational education students.

In order to best meet the demands of the new era in which professional education has ushered in Albania, but also to meet the growing business demand, the government has undertaken the initiative to implement the dual system, relying on the best international practices.

Vocational education and training can be a major engine of economic growth, prosperity and progress by filling gaps and mismatches in the labour market, minimising labour shortages, and increasing labour productivity.

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