The overall objective of Skills for Job Program (the Prilika Plus Program), supported by the Swiss Government and implemented by RARS, is to increase competences, improve employability of pupils, students, the unemployed, as well as productivity of employees in order to adequately respond to industrial needs and trends, and continuously develop their own profession.
The project is aimed at introduction of systematic solutions and change initiation in high school education in B-H in order to develop competences which are necessary for sustainable economic growth.
During the first phase of implementation, which started in January 2011, the Skills for Jobs Program developed a standardized approach via informal adult education search – PrilikaPlus Model.
In real time this approach responds organizationally and methodically to specific demands of employers related to lacking skills in 6 economic sectors chosen in B-H: fruit and vegetable production, cookery and catering industry, light metal industry, wood processing and furniture production, textile, leather and shoe production, woodworking and construction industry.
At the same time, in the course of the first phase, the Skills for Jobs Program, supported the establishment of eight training centres all over B-H, which have conducted vocational trainings in accordance with 20 previously developed curricula.
Training centres
“Format”, Sarajevo – Centre for design and technology in furniture and wood processing industry
“Intera”, Mostar – Training center for CNC metal-processing technologies
“Miral”, Velika Kladuša – PVC-ALU adult training centre
“GastroID”, Sarajevo – COOK AND SERVE training centre
WMTA, Srbac – wood and metal technical ccademy
“Specialist”, Sarajevo – Adult training centre for final stages in construction
Agricultural School, Banja Luka – AgriculturalEducation Centre
“Sanino”, Derventa, Prnjavor – Center for training of adults in footwear industry.
In the second phase, which started in November 2014, the program’s specific goal is to adopt the previously tested standardized approach as widely accepted and in at least eight selected industrial sectors in B-H. Additionally, certain aspects regarding apprenticeship will be included in school curricula of at least 20 vocational schools in B-H. This will contribute to the reform of the current VET school system which will hence become more labour market oriented and able to meet employers` demands.
In the second phase, pupils will have the opportunity to fulfil their apprenticeship obligations on the spot and in accordance with carefully developed curricula due to the fact that the apprenticeship training will be done in production plants of successful local companies.
In an effort to shift vocational training towards commercial concept of labour market, the Program will strengthen the link between schools and employers. Full implementation of the standardized approach will lead to a critical number of employers end companies which are involved in the process of training plans and their realization, and thus employers and education sector will be interconnected. By creating a functional link between education and industry, chances for future workers at labour market improve, and employers` search for skilled workers will be easier.
Based on the existing positive experiences, the Program will soon include a new component regarding pilot-application of co called `dual model` of vocational and technical training in formal educational system. For that purpose, local communities and VET schools which have the potential for apprenticeship improvement will be identified and supported. This will enable pupils to do their apprenticeship as part of regular education, but in companies experienced in providing practice according to already developed modular plans and programs.
The second phase of the Program PrilikaPlus will last until November 2018 with a budget of 11,4 million KM.
