Albania
The European Training Foundation (ETF) cooperates with the European Commission and the European External Action Service in their support to Albania, including through contributions to the EU Delegation to Albania and to EU–Albania bilateral policy dialogue. As the country advances in its EU accession negotiations, opening additional clusters between 2024 and 2025, the ETF provides evidence, policy advice and monitoring across education, skills and employment systems.
The ETF works closely with Cedefop to support the implementation of the Osnabrück Declaration in the Western Balkans, supporitng the Council Recommendation on guiding reforms in vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, inclusion and resilience. Albania’s national implementation plan translates the Declaration’s objectives into concrete actions to strengthen the quality, relevance and attractiveness of VET.
The ETF contributes to EU policy monitoring mechanisms, including the Economic Reform Programme, the assessment of progress under the Small Business Act, and human‑capital developments captured in the Torino Process. Albanian institutions are supported to engage in European platforms, networks and mutual learning processes.
ETF support also focuses on the operationalisation of the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), the development of the VET management information system, and the work of the Albanian Qualifications Framework (AQF) taskforce on recognition of prior learning and the accreditation of post‑secondary VET providers.
Additional activities include guidance on student internships, support to apprenticeships through the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, piloting of SELFIE and SELFIE for Teachers tools, development of video pedagogy resources for teachers, and participation of Albanian experts in the ETF Forum for Quality Assurance in VET.
Read our 2025 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (ETF, 2025). For a quick overview, see below.
2025 developments at a glance
Strategic reforms and EU accession progress
Albania continued implementing the National Employment and Skills Strategy (2023–2030) and the Education, Training and Research Strategy (2021–2030). EU accession negotiations advanced across several clusters, including Internal Market and Competitiveness & Inclusive Growth, supported by the EU Growth Plan with EUR 922 million in available assistance targeting skills, digitalisation and youth employment.
Demographic pressures
With a population of 2.75 million and outward migration representing 43.6% of all Albanian citizens, the country faces shrinking cohorts of young people and regional depopulation, especially in rural and northern areas. These dynamics reduce labour supply and heighten the need for upskilling and reskilling.
Strengthening VET relevance and participation
VET reforms deepened through the 2024 amendment of the VET Law, expansion of dual‑education pilots across ten schools, stronger employer involvement through Sector Skills Committees, and continued accreditation of VET providers—40% accredited by mid‑2025. Career guidance was strengthened in all 32 VET schools, supported by digital platforms Frymeso and MesoVET.al.
Labour market trends
Employment rose to 58.2% in 2024, while unemployment declined to 8.5%. Youth unemployment dropped to 22.8%, and the NEET rate fell to 22.2%, though both remain well above EU averages. Agriculture still accounts for over one‑third of employment, and vulnerable employment remains high at 51%, pointing to persistent structural challenges.
Youth Guarantee rollout
The Youth Guarantee pilot in Tirana, Shkodër and Vlorë expanded, backed by a new digital preregistration system, early‑warning mechanisms in 98 schools, and trained staff in employment offices. Hundreds of young people have benefited from personalised counselling, traineeships and activation measures, laying the foundation for a nationwide rollout by 2026.
Digital transformation
Albania accelerated digital‑education reforms through upgraded VET infrastructure, expansion of the MesoVET virtual learning platform (8,704 active users), deployment of VR learning tools, and SELFIE for Teachers pilots. Digital skills remain a major national challenge, with only 1.7% of adults engaged in lifelong learning.
Work‑based learning and apprenticeships
Dual VET expanded to 204 students and 107 companies across tourism, ICT, energy and transport. Work‑based learning was strengthened through national mentoring programmes, revised curricula and new legal frameworks. Apprenticeships now represent up to 70% of curricula in several CVET programmes.
Green transition and skills for sustainability
New programmes in renewable energy, sustainable tourism and environmental protection have been integrated into VET. Teachers were trained to deliver green and digital content, while universities and VET schools piloted courses on green technologies aligned with the Smart Specialisation Strategy.
Lifelong learning
Adult participation in learning increased from 0.7% to 1.7%, supported by the new national roadmap for recognition of non‑formal and informal learning, blended‑learning guidelines, and expanded regional learning centres. However, participation remains significantly below the EU average.
Quality assurance and data systems
Quality assurance advanced through new accreditation procedures, expanded self‑assessment, and strengthened monitoring. Data availability improved substantially, reaching 57.8% of international indicators in 2024 (up from 42.1% in 2023).
Priorities for 2026
👉 Consolidate the Albanian Qualifications Framework, including the integration of lifelong learning qualifications and recognition of prior learning.
👉 Scale up the Youth Guarantee to reach more marginalised young people nationwide.
👉 Expand dual VET and employer partnerships, supporting labour‑market relevance and skills matching.
👉 Accelerate digital and green skills development, including teacher training and investment in VET infrastructure.
👉 Strengthen adult learning pathways to raise participation and support reskilling in a shifting labour market.