The EmpowerVET project has taken a decisive step toward modernising Albania’s vocational education and training (VET) ecosystem with the release of its comprehensive Research Report, developed under Work Package 2.2. Led jointly by the University of Duisburg-Essen and the European University of Tirana, the report presents a robust, evidence-based analysis that combines desk research, quantitative surveys, and qualitative focus group discussions. The findings provide a clear picture of the current state of entrepreneurship education, digital readiness, and institutional capacity within Albania’s VET sector, setting the foundation for the next phase of EmpowerVET implementation. A Mixed-Method Approach for Real-World Insights The research applied a mixed methodology, combining cross-country desk research with an Albanian-specific survey and stakeholder interviews. This enabled the project team to benchmark Albania against best European practices while also identifying internal barriers and opportunities. The desk research compared entrepreneurship education approaches in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania, and Kosovo, revealing significant gaps between EU member states and Western Balkan countries, especially in systemic integration, teacher training, and competence validation. Parallel to this, the Albanian-focused component included an online questionnaire distributed to teachers and students, followed by focus groups with experts, business stakeholders, and VET practitioners. This combination offered both quantitative measurement and qualitative depth, strengthening the accuracy of the needs analysis. Key Findings: A Sector in Transition The survey received 45 responses, almost evenly split between teachers and students. Results revealed a striking divergence in how the two groups perceive the relevance of the VET curriculum. While 95% of students felt their programs prepare them for the labour market, nearly 70% of teachers believed that curricula remain misaligned with industry demands—highlighting an urgent need for curricular modernization. Another major insight concerns digital readiness. Although teachers report using digital tools, students overwhelmingly (90.5%) feel unprepared to apply digital competencies in real-world jobs. The report identifies this as a structural weakness, noting that digitalisation is not yet embedded as a core pedagogical standard across institutions. Entrepreneurial competencies—such as problem-solving, creativity, initiative, and innovation—were also flagged as insufficiently integrated. Teachers acknowledged adopting modern methods like design thinking and project-based learning, but students’ responses suggest these innovations remain inconsistent and often depend on individual teacher initiative rather than institutional strategy. Systemic Barriers and Equity Gaps Focus group discussions revealed deeper systemic challenges. Participants highlighted limited partnerships with businesses, insufficient teacher training, and geographic disparities between urban and rural institutions. Barriers for young women entering entrepreneurial pathways remain significant, despite rising awareness of gender equality among teachers. Limited mobility opportunities—both international and national—further restrict exposure to best practices. Additionally, stakeholders stressed the importance of aligning VET more closely with Albania’s economic priorities, including tourism, ICT, agriculture, and the green transition. Many institutions still lack the resources to implement incubators, innovation labs, or dual VET models, which are proven to enhance employability. Recommendations for the Road Ahead The report concludes with strategic recommendations that call for systemic reforms. These include modernising curricula, embedding entrepreneurial and digital competences as core outcomes, strengthening school–enterprise partnerships, scaling dual VET nationwide, and investing in continuous teacher development. Equity measures—mentorship programs, scholarships, and targeted support for rural learners—are positioned as essential to ensuring inclusive access to opportunities. A Foundation for Transformative Change EmpowerVET’s Research Report provides more than an analysis—it delivers a roadmap for transforming Albania’s VET ecosystem into a modern, inclusive, and labour-market-aligned system. The findings will directly shape the project’s next phases, including curriculum co-creation, digital module development, and pilot implementation in partner institutions. By engaging teachers, students, businesses, and policymakers, EmpowerVET is setting the stage for a new era of vocational education—one built on innovation, collaboration, and opportunity.
