Kosovo* making VET an attractive and quality choice

Graduate surveys or tracer studies helps to identify the relevance of skills learned and the transition to work.

Measuring the employment outcomes of vocational education and training (VET) graduates was the focus of a recent learning programme organised by the ETF and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Participants represented ministries, VET schools, Centres of Competence, institutions and organisations in the area of education, training and employment. Together they explored methods for organising and implementing graduate tracer studies and skills data collection and analysis to assist evidence-based policymaking.

They also got familiar with experiences of Estonia, Republic of Moldova and other countries regarding a constant follow up of graduates' performance on the labour market.

Carrying out tracer studies is the topic of Volume 6. Of the Skills Anticipation and Matching Guides (available here) produced by the ETF together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop).

The guides cover the use of labour market information – how to exploit and transform data sources into indicators for evidence-based policy making, skills forecasting methodologies, skills surveys and the role of sectorial bodies and employment service providers.

The ETF continues its support to Kosovo to see that tracer studies become a regular and reliable tool for making VET more responsive to labour market needs.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence