In the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO, in collaboration with the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports organized a Stakeholder Dialogue Platform meeting on December 19–20 in Dilijan.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Araksia Svajyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary (Craftsman) and Vocational Education Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of Economic Development Programs at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Artur Pokrikyan, SDA Chairman Mkrtich Ayvazyan, as well as implementers of vocational education and training (VET) programs and the project’s private partners.
In his opening remarks, SDA Chairman Mkrtich Ayvazyan highlighted the importance of regular stakeholder meetings to address challenges in the VET sector through dialogue, boost collaboration, and coordinate efforts for platform expansion.
Deputy Minister Araksia Svajyan presented the national strategy and ongoing reforms in the VET sector. She emphasized the significance of improving legislation, modernizing institutional structures, enhancing the appeal of vocational professions, implementing quality management in VET institutions, and encouraging youth participation in the sector. She also underscored the successful introduction of agricultural professions through dual education under the MAVETA project.
Artur Pokrikyan, Senior National Program Officer for Inclusive Economic Development at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, stressed the importance of leveraging international expertise in modernizing Armenia’s VET sector. He called for coordinated efforts among state institutions and local and international organizations to achieve these goals.
Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary and Vocational Education, provided an overview of the VET sector’s current state, including updates on new laws and regulations, the challenges encountered during reforms, and state strategies aimed at aligning VET education with labor market demands.
MAVETA Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan shared insights into the dual education model, successful collaborations between educational institutions and employers, and the project’s achievements to date.
The second half of the day was dedicated to the discussion of the further coordination, management and possible expansion of the Stakeholder Dialogue Platform.
During the second day, the representatives of the associations and unions presented the role and importance of the private sector in dual VET.
The MAVETA project is funded by a broad coalition of international and local organizations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the Austrian Development Agency, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Government of Armenia, the Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) NGO, Izmirlian Foundation, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and Vanand Agro CJSC.
The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and HEKS/EPER with the involvement of SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).