Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, the human capital development, vocational education and training (VET) and skills system is undergoing a significant transformation to address the challenges of our fast-changing world. Ensuring that human capital skills meet the needs of a greener and low-carbon economy is crucial. These changes in the education system pave the way for new jobs and increased prosperity for citizens.
ETF activities in Azerbaijan build on national policy priorities aimed at offering citizens opportunities for lifelong learning.
The EU’s first regional programme supporting education reforms and skills in the Eastern Partnership region was formally launched in Turin in May 2024. This EUR 2.5 million, three-year (2024–26) programme – to be implemented by the ETF – aims to enhance the efficiency, quality, equity, equality and relevance of education systems in five countries of the region, including Azerbaijan.
The ETF cooperates with the Agency for Vocational Education, under the Ministry of Science and Education, in implementing the Torino Process and supporting the monitoring of progress in human capital development. Additionally, the ETF partners with the ministry in the implementation of SELFIE, a tool designed to empower schools in harnessing the potential of digital technologies for enhanced teaching and learning experiences.
The ETF has been cooperating with the National Observatory on Labour Market and Social Protection Affairs since its establishment in 2020 – supporting the country in building a modern labour market information system which, among other objectives, should guide the reform of the education and training system.
The ETF provides strategic input to the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan and the European Commission by actively participating in the European Union’s country programming cycle. This encompasses the shaping of interventions within the EU Annual Action Programme 2018 and the provision of insights into human capital development within the EU Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021–2027 for Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, the ETF is providing progress monitoring of the EU-funded project VET for the Future supporting the modernisation of VET institutions, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.
Read our 2024 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (ETF, 2024). For a quick update, see below:
2024 developments at a glance
⚖️ Legislation and economic policy reform: in July 2024, Azerbaijan introduced ‘Targeted Employment Programmes’ under its amended Law on Employment, expanding job opportunities for socially vulnerable groups. The Socio-economic Development Strategy 2022-2026 includes a focus on early childhood education, aiming to increase participation to 50%;
💡 Educational innovation: the STEAM project (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) expanded to 400 secondary schools and 25 STEAM centres, engaging 180,000 students to develop creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on technical skills;
🏫 Vocational education and Training (VET): Azerbaijan’s Socio-economic Development Strategy 2022-2026 and the newly established Department for Vocational Education and Training aim to modernise vocational education, improve access, and strengthen industry alignment. In 2024, nine new specialties were introduced to reflect job market and technological shifts. Plans were announced for eight vocational schools in Karabakh, focusing on green energy and craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the vocational training network expanded, enhancing short-term training access for adult job-seekers nationwide;
🤝 Enhanced educational collaboration: In February 2024, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Science and Education and the Turkish Higher Education Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Turkey-Azerbaijan University, strengthening bilateral collaboration and teacher training programmes;
👦 👧 Youth in focus: by the end of 2023, the number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) fell to 19.5%, down from 23% in 2017. The Employment Strategy aims to further reduce this to 15% by 2030;
💻 Digital skills development: Azerbaijan integrated 4,305 educational institutions into the Azerbaijan Education Network (ATN), enhancing internet connectivity and digital infrastructure in schools. The www.video.edu.az portal now offers 19,531 digital resources. The Digital Skills Project expanded to 410,000 students in 532 schools across 53 regions, while 28 schools introduced digital skills-focused classes, providing 950 students with five hours of computer science education per week;
🌿 Green skills development: in May 2024, the TAMAL platform was launched to enhance partnerships between VET institutions and employers, improving employment prospects for graduates in the green and renewable energy sectors. As part of the Year of Solidarity for the Green World, an ECOTHON competition engaged children aged 10-17 in sustainability initiatives.