The ETF and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding in 23 November 2011.  

‘The memorandum is an important instrument for stimulating cooperation and sharing of policies and experiences in implementation among the countries in Central Asia.

In the next three years the parties agreed to focus on enhancing cooperation in education policy-making through the Torino Process, and to promote links between vocational education system (VET) and business sector.

The protocol will also ensure a better exchange of information and mutual participation in events in the field of VET. Finally, it opens possibilities for Kazakh civil servants involved in education to benefit from internships for professional development.

‘We’ve been cooperating with the ETF since mid-nineties’, said Kadybek Boribekov, head of vocational education and training at the Kazakhstan Ministry of Education and Science. ‘Thanks to this cooperation we were able to learn about other countries experience in education. We met colleagues from other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the EU, and it helped us develop strategies and vision for VET.’

The crucial area for Mr Boribekov is the cooperation between business and education.

‘We need to ensure that there are legal mechanism of involvement business and education’, said Mr Boribekov. ‘Business needs to be directly involved in the training process, because the main aim of vocational education is that people have the skills in demand on labour market.’

The memorandum is based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Kazakhstan, and follows the declaration of intent concluded last year in Astana.