Kick-off workshop: advancing skills for sustainable jobs through recognition of prior learning

The Skills for sustainable jobs in Kosovo project has officially launched its support for the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process with a kick-off workshop held at the end of July. This workshop brought together key institutions involved in the process, including the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), the National Qualification Authority (NQA), the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK), two public vocational education and training institutions (VETIs), vocational training centres (VTCs), and the company contracted to carry out the RPL implementation.

From 2020 to 2023, the RPL process was successfully developed at a national level under the “European Union support to vocational education and training, professional requalification and occupation” (ESVET-PRO) project, implemented by LuxDev and funded by the European Union. One of the major achievements was the development of a digital platform enabling individuals to apply for RPL.

RPL allows individuals to have their skills and experiences – gained through non-formal or informal learning – formally recognised. This has far-reaching benefits: it strengthens the workforce, helps people access better job opportunities, increases productivity, and supports lifelong learning. For society, it creates a fairer system where everyone's knowledge counts, and for the economy, it ensures that existing skills are not wasted but instead harnessed for growth.

While significant progress has been made, further capacity building is essential to ensure that RPL providers can implement the process sustainably. Responding to a request from MESTI, LuxDev has continued its support by helping to expand and strengthen RPL in Kosovo.

The initiative will focus on several core activities to ensure quality implementation:

• accreditation of institutions: four institutions across Kosovo will be accredited to provide RPL services;
• development of assessment tools: new materials will be developed to support accreditation of specific occupational profiles;
• awareness campaign: a national campaign will highlight the value of recognising skills gained outside formal education systems;
• platform integration: the existing RPL digital platform will be upgraded and linked to systems managed by MESTI, NQA, and EARK to make it more accessible and user-friendly.

Institutions set to be accredited include the VTCs in Gjilan and Mitrovica, and two VETIs in Pristina: Gjin Gazulli and Shtjefën Gjeçovi.

The RPL initiative is jointly led by NQA and EARK, in close collaboration with MESTI’s VET department. All involved partners are committed to building a skilled and adaptable workforce, contributing to Kosovo’s social and economic development and to preparing individuals for sustainable employment.

The Skills for sustainable jobs in Kosovo project – funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Agency – aims to contribute to sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation, inclusiveness, and social development in a greener Kosovo. The specific objective is to enhance job prospects for young people and women by strengthening vocational education and training to meet market demands.