On April 22, 2021, the Closing Event of the “Promoting Partnerships for Effective Work-Based Learning Opportunities in VET” project implemented by the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO with the financial support of the European Union took place in Stepanavan, Lori marz of the RA.
The event was attended by Mr. Artak Aghbalyan, Head of the VET Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the RA, Ms. Arpine Matinyan, Deputy Head of Education, Culture and Sport Department of Lori Regional Administration, and Mr. Mkrtich Ayvazyan, the Chairman of “Strategic Development Agency” NGO, the Leaders of Stepanavan and Tashir communities of Lori marz, the directors, teachers and students of the project partners Stepanavan and Goris State Agricultural Colleges and the directors of the host companies.
The main goal of the project is to strengthen the cooperation between the private sector and vocational educational (VET) institutions through piloting the model of work-based learning in Goris and Stepanavan state agricultural colleges for two agricultural professions “Veterinary” and “Milk and Dairy Technology”.
Within the scope of the event, visits were organized to the host companies of the project partners (“Lorva Kat” LLC, Asatur Harutyunyan S/P) in order to get acquainted with the work-based learning of VET students specializing in the two professions outlined by the program.
The event was continued at Stepanavan State Agricultural College of Lori marz of the RA, where welcoming speeches were delivered by Mr. Artak Aghbalyan, Head of the VET Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the RA, Ms. Arpine Matinyan, Deputy Head of Education, Culture and Sport Department of Lori Regional Administration, and Mr. Mkrtich Ayvazyan, Chairman of SDA NGO. The speakers started with expression of their gratitude to the EU Delegation to Armenia for providing the support programs for VET sector development in Armenia, and noted their important part in creating sustainable frameworks for improvement the educational system in the country. During their speeches, it was emphasized the need to ensure equal participation and responsibility of public, educational institution and private sector to implement effectively the approaches of WBL educational model. According to the latter, applying of WBL approaches in the educational sphere of Armenia will allow eliminating the main gaps in the traditional methods and forms of VET teaching, strengthening the practical orientation of the educational process, while maintaining the level of the theoretical component.
During the event, the participants presented the outcomes of the activities carried out within the framework of the project, the lessons learnt and challenges that occurred during the implementation, as well as the relevant proposals for their elimination.
