Bosnia and Herzegovina

High-quality vocational education and training that is relevant to the labour market is one of the basic prerequisites for sustainable development of the economy and society. The promotion of innovative and competitive initial and continuing vocational education and training is therefore the aim of the "Riga conclusions" of the ministries responsible for vocational education and training in the EU member countries and those countries that are in the process of accession. On behalf of the Ministry of Civil Affairs the OeAD accompanied relevant stakeholders from all 13 ministries of education responsible for vocational education and training, administrative authorities, schools, social partners and representatives of the business sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the development of a national strategic document for improving the quality and relevance of vocational education and training systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, based on the Riga Conclusions. For each of the five priority areas of the "Riga Conclusions" the corresponding development priorities were identified in a broad consultation process. At the end of January 2021 the strategic document on " Improvement of the Quality and Relevance of Vocational Education and Training in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021-2030" was adopted by the Council of Education Ministers and thus forms the basis for developing vocational education and training systems in all parts of the country. The OeAD was supported in the development of this document by the ETF – European Training Foundation.

To implement the strategic document the OeAD supports ministries of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina in identifying priorities for the respective vocational education and training systems and, together with other partner organisations, the exchange of experience in implementing vocational education and training reforms at the government level:

From February to May 2022 six "Policy Round Tables" were held with a total of 118 stakeholders to survey development priorities in the vocational education and training systems in five cantons of the Federation and the Republika Srpska. Concrete action plans were developed for six vocational education and training systems. Two of these were developed further and presented. A major VET (Vocational Educational Training) conference has been held since 2023 to enable stakeholders to pursue national and international networking and exchange ideas and to highlight best practices.

Direct target group:

• Ministries of Education
• Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs
• Teacher training institutes
• Agency for Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Chambers of Commerce
• Employers' associations
• Agency for Labour
• Schools of vocational education and training (headmasters/headmistresses, teachers at schools of vocational education and training)

Indirect target group:

• all national and international organisations implementing vocational education and training projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Duration: 2022–2024)

The role of the vocational practical coordinators in vocational education and training is a multi-faceted one. Basically they are the interface between the schools and the companies, coordinate practical training at the school and at the employer's in both forms of training (dual and full-time school-based), work closely with teachers teaching the practical subjects and instructors in the companies and support them in the implementation of practical training. Their work thus makes an important contribution to the effective use of both learning venues, schools and companies, and thus to the quality of vocational practical training in general.

The aim of the project is to increase the quality of vocational education and training through effective quality development of in-company learning with a focus on the role and tasks of the vocational practical coordinators. Based on the needs assessments of the competent education authorities in all three partner countries four common project priorities have been identified for the regional project:

1. needs-based anchoring of the role and tasks of the vocational practical coordinators
2. standardisation of procedures and processes as an important aspect of quality development in the work of the vocational practical coordinators
3. further development of the skills of the vocational practical coordinators in line with the needs
4. quality development and quality assurance through the introduction of QA mechanisms for the work of the vocational practical coordinators

Project results:

• On the basis of broad consultation processes standardised processes and procedures in the work of the vocational practical coordinators in the vocational education and training systems in the Republika Srpska and the cantons of Tuzla and West Herzegovina have been defined and piloted at 10 schools.
• These standardised processes together with the tools necessary for implementation are available to all vocational practical coordinators in a manual/guide.
• The skills of the vocational practical coordinators at 50 schools of vocational education and training have been further developed and strengthened through needs-based in-service training.
• Mechanisms for quality development of the work of the vocational practical coordinators have been defined, introduced at the schools of the pilot regions, presented to the other education authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and made available.

Direct target groups:

• Headmasters/headmistresses and vocational practical coordinators of 10 pilot schools;
• Vocational practical coordinators of 50 schools of vocational education and training;
• 3 Ministries of Education;
• 3 Teacher Training Institutes;
• 3 Chambers of Commerce

Indirect target groups:

• Headmasters/headmistresses, teachers, vocational practical coordinators and pupils at 145 schools of vocational education and training;
• Companies;
• 13 Ministries of Education

New vocational education and training law in the canton of Western Herzegovina

(Duration: 2023–2024)

A legal framework that enables high-quality vocational education and training that is tailored to the needs of the labour market is a prerequisite for successful vocational education and training. The canton of Western Herzegovina is therefore supported in the development of a new law on vocational education and training and the associated ordinances.

A vocational education and training law is developed in a broad consultation process with all relevant stakeholders.

Direct target groups:

• Ministries of the Canton of Western Herzegovina relevant to vocational education and training
• Teacher Training Institute
• Headmasters/headmistresses, vocational practice coordinators, teachers and pupils at 4 schools of vocational education in the canton
• EU Integration Office of the Government of the Canton of Western Herzegovina
• Entrepreneurs in the canton of Western Herzegovina

Indirect target groups:

• 11 Ministries of Education
• 9 Teacher Training Institutes
• 8 Chambers of Commerce

(Duration: 2021–2024)

Headmasters and headmistresses play a key role in the implementation of educational reforms. With the introduction of new technologies, the increasing digitisation of teaching and learning, the increased need for professionals, and also with the growing responsibility of schools for school development and its quality headmasters and headmistresses face new responsibilities and tasks. Therefore those who are new to this function need support to manage their schools successfully.

The newly revised guide for all headmasters and headmistresses who are new to this position contains the latest theories on leadership and school management and provides relevant knowledge and skills required for successful school management. The guide is an update of the already published and widely used first edition. It was developed by a local editorial team in cooperation with all ministries of education and teacher training institutes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and presented in June 2022.

In-service training for all headmasters and headmistresses of all types of schools who are new to the position including the presentation of the new guide is offered on an ongoing basis. This training also offers participants the opportunity to exchange ideas and pursue networking with colleagues from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina and all types of schools.

Direct target group:

• Headmasters and headmistresses at all schools in BiH who are new to the position

Indirect target groups:

• 13 Ministries of Education
• 12 Teacher Training Institutes
• Agency for Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina