On June 6-7, within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) program, implemented by the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO, a meeting was held in Tsaghkadzor to establish and strengthen cooperation between employers and vocational educational institutions.

More than forty MAVETA project partners participated in this two-day workshop.

In his welcoming speech, Mkrtich Ayvazyan, the Chairman of the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO, emphasized the organization’s successful experience in collaborating with representatives of the private sector and vocational educational institutions. He expressed confidence that mutually beneficial relationships would be established with the new partners of the project.

The participants were also welcomed by Monique Frey, Senior VET Consultant from HEKS/EPER, who noted that the Swiss model, recognized for its effective use of state resources, has been integrated into the training program for future apprentices.

Lilit Hovhannisyan, MAVETA Project Manager, presented an overview of the project’s main achievements and upcoming actions from its start in 2022 to the present. She highlighted the main prerequisites for cooperation, the roles of colleges and the private sector, and their responsibilities in introducing professions with a dual educational approach.

Following this, a working discussion was held under the coordination of Narine Abrahamyan, the project’s Business Consultant. Employers and representatives of vocational educational institutions exchanged information about their activities.

Lilit Avetisyan, a representative of Goris State Agricultural College, provided information on the professions implemented with a dual educational approach for the 2023-2024 school year. She shared experiences, achievements, and challenges in establishing cooperation with partners.

On the second day, discussions continued in group work sessions, focusing on the needs for capacity development and improvements in collaboration between the private sector and colleges.

At the end of the workshop, Business Consultant Narine Abrahamyan and VET Consultant Lilit Beglaryan summarized the joint action plan for the 2024-2025 school year, outlining the professions to be introduced.

Within the framework of “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project from 6-17 of May, the Strategic Development Agency NGO invited Arie Keijzer, an expert from the PUM (Dutch Senior Consultants Organization) program to conduct a training on cattle feeding improvement, aiming to determine the requirement of nutrients needed by cattle and the norms of feeding, to make an effective feed ration, to study the right technique and organization of feeding process, as well as to transfer the Dutch experience.

During the training entitled “Improving feeding of cattle” organized in Lori and Syunik marzes, the expert not only shared his experience, but also addressed all the questions raised by the participants, as well as during face to face visits provided individual consultancy to the project partner farms.