On April 21-22, a key milestone in the implementation of the dual Vocational Education and Training (VET) system was marked in Yerevan. A two-day professional workshop was held at the Ibis Yerevan Center Hotel, dedicated to the development and revision of curricula.

The workshop marked the inception phase of the curriculum development working groups. Its primary objective was to establish a coherent and unified approach, while strengthening participants’ capacities to design curricula in line with dual education principles – particularly in the fields of greenhouse management, cold chain management, and the installation and operation of drip irrigation systems.

During the workshop, participants:
🔹 were introduced to the legal and regulatory framework governing the implementation of dual VET,
🔹 explored the fundamental principles of the dual education system, including international best practices,
🔹 reviewed methodologies for the development and revision of curricula based on the dual approach,
🔹 actively engaged in practical sessions aimed at ensuring the effective organization of subsequent curriculum development processes.

The workshop was facilitated by Yulia Stakyan, expert of the GIZ programme “Private Sector Development and Vocational Education and Training in Armenia,” who combined theoretical insights with practical tools, ensuring a highly interactive and application-oriented learning process.

The workshop provided a solid foundation for strengthening collaboration among sector stakeholders and for ensuring the effective coordination of the joint curriculum development process.

The MAVETA project is financed  by a broad coalition of international and local organisations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Agency and the Government of Armenia.  

The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).

On April 3, a regular monitoring visit was conducted to partner farms of the MAVETA Project in the Lori region, with the objective of assessing the effectiveness of workplace-based training and the extent of apprentices’ practical engagement within the dual education framework.

The visit provided an opportunity to observe firsthand how theoretical knowledge is translated into practical competencies in a real working environment. Apprentices were actively engaged in soil preparation and sowing activities, applying their knowledge of seed selection, soil cultivation, and fertilizer application.

An important achievement is that, beyond the tasks предусмотрված within the modular training curriculum, apprentices are also involved in the day-to-day operations of the farms. They assume additional responsibilities and contribute to a range of agricultural processes. This approach significantly enhances their hands-on experience, fosters a strong sense of responsibility, and strengthens their alignment with labor market requirements.

Monitoring visits of this kind, implemented within the MAVETA Project, play a vital role in ensuring continuous oversight and quality assurance, helping to ensure that the implementation of dual education remains fully aligned with established standards and proceeds in accordance with the intended objectives.

The MAVETA project is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Agency and the Government of Armenia.  

The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).