Regional meeting exploring the quality aspects of practical learning, organized in cooperation between ERI SEE, within the project Enhancements in the quality of education and training in SEE – EQET SEE, and OeAD was held on 03 March 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia.

The meeting was opened by Ms Tina Šarić, ERI SEE Director, Mr Duško Rajković, chair of the SEE VET Net, Ms Viktoria Kuzmits, Austrian Educational Coordinator at the OeAD and Ms Gabrijela Grujić, Director of the Office for dual education and National Qualification Framework, Republic of Serbia.

During the meeting, Austrian experiences supporting quality of practical learning in companies and schools were presented, as well companies’ and schools’ experiences when organizing practical learning in the region of the South Eastern Europe. The meeting looked into the current developments supporting quality of practical learning and lessons the SEE region could learn about cooperation between schools and businesses so far.

In the discussion part, the meeting participants from the SEE, comprising of representatives from VET centers and agencies dealing with practical learning, Chambers of commerce, quality assurance bodies dealing with VET, ministries dealing with quality of practical learning and international organizations: KfW, RCF, WKO and OeAD, identified quality aspect to be taken into consideration as quality-relevant and roles of each partner in the quality assurance of practical learning in both learning venues (schools and companies): in its implementation, support and monitoring of different processes. The meeting was concluded with agreement of the next steps related to quality assurance of practical learning at the regional level.

Meeting presentations: 

Good practice examples: Austrian experiences supporting quality of practical learning in companies and schools: Quality Assurance Approaches for the two learning venues

• Barbara Wilfinger, WKO – download
• Monika Mott, OeAD – download

Examples from the region: Companies’ and schools’ experiences when organizing practical learning,

• Jelena Čeperković, Hospitality and tourism school with student dormitory in Vrnjačka Banja – download
• Zora Bogićević, Ministry of Education, Montenegro – download

Current developments supporting quality of practical learning – steps taken so far

• Chedomir Dimovski, VET Centre, North Macedonia – download
• Borka Petrovska, EURONICKEL Industries – download

Lessons learnt about cooperation between schools and businesses so far

• Jelena Manić Radoičić, Regional Challenge Fund – download