Closing ceremony on establishing dual-like VET pilots in agriculture and tourism took place

The closing ceremony of the EU-funded project “Establishing dual–like vocational education and training (VET) pilots in agriculture and tourism in Gabala, Ismayilli and Gakh districts” (ED VET) was held on 25 September 2020.

Representatives of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Azerbaijan, the State Agency on Vocational Education (SAVE) and the regional VET centers attended the online event, which was also streamlined live on the Facebook page of the EU Delegation. 

The ED VET project – funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ – started in September 2017 and ended in June 2020. The objective of this EUR 2.2 million project was to increase attractiveness and labour market relevance of VET in the fields of agriculture and tourism through implementing dual-like VET approach, based on the German dual VET model in three pilot VET centres in Gabala, Ismayilli and Gakh districts.

On the occasion of the closing ceremony, the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the successes of the project and were invited to follow the virtual opening of the wood-work and metal-work workshops renovated and equipped at the Gakh VET centre and of new fully equipped video laboratory in the Gabala VET centre. The wine products produced by the Ismayilli VET centre were also presented.

“The EU gives very high importance to increasing the quality of in-school practical training by VET centres and of upgrading VET centres’ infrastructure and training equipment.  This upgrade  serves to increase the quality of in-school practical training of students, which is key to make Vocational Education and Training an important driver of economic growth and to support innovation and competitiveness of businesses in Azerbaijan”, said Ms. Simona Gatti, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan.

Mr. Parviz Yusifov, Director of the Azerbaijan State Vocational Education Agency emphasized, that “infrastructure modernization of vocational education institutions and deepening cooperation with the private sector are on the agenda of the State Agency for Vocational Education. Within the framework of international cooperation, the support provided to vocational institutions located in Gabala, Gakh and Ismayilli regions is very important for us.”

All stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the EU Delegation, SAVE and GiZ for a fruitful collaboration in piloting the dual-like VET in Azerbaijan and for their contributions to increasing attractiveness of VET in Azerbaijan.