Economic Reform Programme (ERP) in Albania (2019 – 2021)

Area: Education and Skills
Reform measure 18: Improve the quality and coverage of VET while ensuring linkages with the labour market
Activities planned in 2019
  • Roll out the VET offer optimization plan in line with regional skills development needs and the process of re-organization of VET providers (MoFE and NAVETQ, VET providers);
  • Continue the roll out of the quality concept both at the system level and at the level of providers. Finalize the national VET provider optimization plan in line with regional skills development needs; preparing plans, developing capacities and legalizing the setting up of Multifunctional VET centres in the country (MoFE and NAVETQ, VET providers);
  • Skills development for VET teachers and trainers (by drafting policies for recruitment, professional development, assessment of competences and training of VET teachers and trainers) (MoFE and NAVETQ);
  • Carry out the self-assessment of all VET providers.
Activities planned in 2020
  • Improving the quality of VET through investment in infrastructure, programs, and professional development of teachers;
  • Development of the process of introducing elements of the dual system of vocational education;
  • Developing the competencies of VET teachers as well as teacher trainers (initial and on-going vocational training).
Activities planned in 2021
  • Improving the quality of VET through investment in infrastructure, programs, and professional development of teachers;
  • Development of the process of introducing elements of the dual system of vocational education.
Area: Employment and labour markets
Reform measure 19: Modernising public employment services, increasing employment of women, youth and vulnerable people
Activities planned in 2019
  • New service model implemented in 36 employment offices accompanied by staff training. Increase the quality of services to unemployed jobseekers and employers through the improvement and standardization of employment services and programs
  • Strengthen cooperation between labour market actors at all levels in order to identify and develop integrated case management
  • Expanding service coverage in rural areas in collaboration with the local government.
  • New employment promotion law approved and new and revised employment promotion programs aimed at supporting the most vulnerable groups and registered unemployed jobseekers benefiting from these programs.
  • Improving the linkage of VET providers with the labour market and expanding VET access to those living in rural areas.
Activities planned in 2020
  • Structural and functional modernization of NES for the efficient implementation of state policies in the labour market area
  • Developing employability skills through increasing the quality, distribution and diversification of vocational training programs
  • The implementation of employment promotion programs aimed at supporting the most vulnerable groups and the number of registered unemployed jobseekers benefiting from employment promotion programs is targeted to reach 6%.
  • Extending the coverage of employment services and VET in rural areas by extending these services to these areas in collaboration with the local government.
Activities planned in 2021
  • Improve the quality and effectiveness of institutions and services of the labour market, through increased staff performance. Performance management system is established and score card system target and objectives are set for each employment offices;
  • Development and publication of information and quality analysis of the labour market and improvement of public relations;
  • Establishment of call centre to assess consumer feedback.
Area: Social inclusion, poverty reduction and equal opportunities
Reform measure 20: Strengthening social protection, and social inclusion measures
Activities planned in 2019
  • Draft legal framework on social service support.
  • Continue screening for eligible Economic Aid beneficiaries through automated MIS.
  • Assess disability in line with the social model as precondition for social reintegration.
  • Improve reporting and assessment to target poverty reduction, social inclusion and equal opportunities for vulnerable groups through monitoring of action plans for social inclusion and gender equality.
Activities planned in 2020
  • Increase the number of beneficiaries of Economic Aid over the total number of applicants by over 80%;
  • Support persons from disadvantaged backgrounds through employment in social enterprises;
  • Increase number of beneficiaries from Economic Assistance and Disability that are employed;
  • Increase efficiency of the Economic Aid scheme administration, and disability cash payments and social services.
Activities planned in 2021
  • Increase efficiency of the financial assistance scheme, shifting from a passive to active scheme through reintegration programs and altering them with employment schemes and employ 600 people previously treated with Economic Assistance (NE) and disability allowance;
  • Application of social evaluation model with efficiency and transparency;
  • Increase number of persons with disabilities who are commissioned through the information management system;
  • Increase by 12% of the number of beneficiaries of women head of households receiving Economic Assistance over the total number of female head of household applicants;
  • Improve the system for monitoring and measuring social inclusion across the policy domains of poverty reduction and social protection, employment and skills, education and training, health, basic needs, and participation and human rights;
  • Increase number of reintegrated women and girls in need after treatment in social care.