Nine Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers from across Albania (Berat, Durrës, Gjirokastra, Kavaja, Lezha and Tirana) were officially accredited today, marking a tangible step forward in strengthening quality assurance, institutional performance, and trust across the skills development system.

The accreditation, implemented by the National Agency for Vocational Education, Training and Qualifications (NAVETQ) in close partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, was supported through the “Skills Development for Employment” Programme, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by UNDP Albania. An award ceremony brought together representatives from central institutions, VET providers, development partners, and key stakeholders, highlighting accreditation as both a cornerstone of quality assurance and a driver of confidence among institutions, learners, and employers.

This milestone reflects years of coordinated reform and capacity building. UNDP Albania and the Government of Switzerland, together with the Ministry and NAVETQ, have advanced Albania’s employment and skills agenda by strengthening NAVETQ as the central quality assurance authority and supporting the development of a sustainable accreditation model aligned with European standards. Since its introduction in 2018, self-assessment has become a core practice across public VET institutions and private providers entering accreditation, improving internal quality processes by encouraging continuous review of governance, teaching practices, partnerships, and learning outcomes.

Between 2020 and 2022, support further expanded to the development and rollout of the national accreditation framework, alongside extensive capacity building for NAVETQ staff and external assessors. UNDP also supported the referencing of the Albanian Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), enhancing transparency, comparability, and credibility of qualifications in the European context. Together, these efforts have translated policy reform into practical system-wide capacity.

Accreditation now serves as a clear signal of quality and a commitment to continuous improvement—providing learners with confidence in the relevance and rigor of training, reinforcing vocational education as a trusted pathway for families, ensuring employers access job-ready skills, and strengthening system-wide accountability.
Speaking at the ceremony, Olta Manjani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, underlined the strategic value of quality assurance in vocational education and training, stating: “Investment in quality in vocational education and training is the safest investment for a more competitive economy and a more sustainable future for Albania.”

To remain responsive to labour market needs, accreditation standards have recently been updated to reflect developments such as dual VET, lifelong learning programmes, and recognition of prior learning. These changes extend the system beyond youth, supporting adults, jobseekers, workers, and returnees seeking upskilling and reskilling. Accreditation also aligns with the National Employment and Skills Strategy 2023–2030 and the EU Reform Agenda under Albania’s Growth Plan, reinforcing its role in EU integration and long-term economic resilience.

The accreditation of nine providers demonstrates a shared commitment to skills development and inclusive growth. Albania’s gradual progress toward a dual VET system shows growing alignment between education and labour market needs, while stakeholders emphasize that sustained collaboration between government, providers, and development partners remains essential for full system effectiveness.

As the Swiss Ambassador to Albania noted, strong national standards must be matched by effective implementation on the ground so that quality assurance becomes a practical tool for institutional strengthening and improved learning outcomes. To the newly accredited providers she added: “Your role is crucial. You are shaping the skills, ambitions, and opportunities of future generations.”

The Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP added: “Accreditation helps transform policy into practice. It strengthens trust across the system—for learners, employers, and institutions—while ensuring that vocational education remains relevant and continuously improving.”

List of accredited VET Providers (institutional accreditation, for the first)

1.    Shkolla Hoteleri-Turizem Tirane  / Hospitality and Tourism School Tirana)
2.    Shkolla Profesionale “Thoma Papapano”/ Vocational School “Thoma Papapano” Gjirokaster

Up-dated accreditation for additional VET programmes / offer

3.    Shkolla Profesionale “Stiliano Bandilli” Berat / Vocational School “Stiliano Bandilli” Berat
4.    Shkolla Profesionale “Beqir Çela” Shkozet / Durrës / Vocational School “Beqir Çela, Shkozet / Durres
5.    Shkolla Profesionale “Hysen Çela”, Durrës / Vocational School “Hysen Çela”, Durrës
6.    Shkolla Profesionale “Charles Telford Erikson” Golem / Kavajë / Vocational School “Charles Telford Ericson” Golem / Kavajë
7.    Shkolla Teknike Ekonomike Tiranë / Technical Economic School Tirana
8.    Shkolla Profesionale “Gjergj Canco” / Vocational School “Gjergj Canco” Tirana
9.    Shkolla Profesionale “Kolin Gjoka”, Lezhë / Vocational School “Kolin Gjoka”, Lezhë