Enhancing CVETAE Role and its Functionalisation
Strengthening the institutional role, governance framework and operational capacity of the Council for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (CVETAE) in Kosovo
DONOR: Austrian Development Agency (ADA)
COUNTRY: KOSOVO
PERIOD: 2023 - 2024
CORE AREA: Institutional Reform & VET Governance
Implementation in
Practice
Project Overview
The project “Enhancing CVETAE Role and its Functionalisation” aimed to strengthen the institutional, legal and operational framework of the Council for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (CVETAE) in Kosovo.
The intervention supported MESTI and national stakeholders in establishing a sustainable governance mechanism to ensure that CVETAE performs its statutory mandate effectively, particularly in approving occupational standards and aligning vocational education policies with labour market needs.
ITED provided structured technical assistance for legal review, strategic planning, development of internal regulations, committee procedures and communication mechanisms, enabling CVETAE to transition from a formally established body into a fully functional institutional platform
Institutional Context
Although CVETAE was established under Law No. 04/L-138 and Administrative Instruction 04/2015, the Council faced operational and structural challenges limiting its effectiveness.
Key challenges included:
- Limited operationalisation of legal provisions
- Absence of a strategic orientation and action plan
- Unclear internal procedures and committee workflows
- Weak secretariat documentation and standardisation
- Limited visibility and communication mechanisms
- Need for stronger private sector engagement in standards approval
A comprehensive institutional strengthening approach was required to ensure CVETAE’s full functionalisation and sustainability.
Intervention Components
Review and recommendations for amendment of Administrative Instruction 04/2015
Revision of CVETAE Internal Regulation
Development of operational guidelines for CVETAE Committees
Standardisation of Secretariat documentation and procedures
Development of CVETAE Strategic Plan 2023–2026
Design of Communication and Visibility Plan
Facilitation of multi-stakeholder working groups
Alignment with Kosovo Education Strategic Plan (KESP 2022–2026)
Implementation Approach
ITED applied a structured institutional reform methodology combining legal review, participatory governance facilitation and strategic planning.
The approach included:
- Comprehensive desk review of legal and policy framework
- Establishment and facilitation of inter-institutional working groups
- Structured workshops with tripartite stakeholders (Government, Employers, Trade Unions)
- Drafting and iterative revision of regulatory and strategic documents
- Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs
- Alignment with EU good governance and VET governance practices
- Continuous coordination with MESTI and ALLED2 project team
Institutional Impact
The project contributed to:
- Full operationalisation of CVETAE governance framework
- Strengthened legal and procedural clarity for Council functioning
- Institutionalisation of committee structures and decision workflows
- Improved transparency and documentation systems
- Adoption of CVETAE Strategic Plan 2023–2026
- Strengthened private sector participation in standards approval
- Enhanced policy alignment between VET system and labour market needs
Partnerships
This initiative was supported under the EU-funded programme “Aligning Education and Training with Labour Market Needs – ALLED Phase II”, implemented by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and co-financed by EU and the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), contributing to systemic alignment between education, training and labour market needs in Kosovo.
ITED
lead implementing partner
Project is implemented by Austrian Development Agency (ADA)
Multi-Level Institutional Cooperation
Cooperation Partners
The reform and intervention was developed and implemented in close cooperation with:
- Austrian Development Agency (ADA)
- ALLED 2 Project
- Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)
- CVETAE Council Members
- Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE)
- Employment Agency of Republic of Kosovo (EARK)
- National Qualification Authority (NQA)
- Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC)
- Social Partners and Employer Associations
This intervention positioned CVETAE as a functional institutional pillar within Kosovo’s VET governance architecture, ensuring sustainable policy coordination, standards approval and labour market alignment.
Key Reform Milestones
- Operationalisation of CVETAE governance framework
- Institutionalisation of standards approval mechanisms
- Adoption of CVETAE Strategic Plan 2023–2026
- Formalisation of committee-based decision-making structures
- Standardisation of Secretariat documentation and workflows
- Establishment of functional committee structures
- Revision and clarification of internal regulations and procedures
- Strengthened private sector engagement in national VET policy processes
Measurable Results
Strategic & Legal Framework
- 1 Strategic Plan 2023–2026 developed and approved
- 1 Revised Internal Regulation adopted
- 1 Legal Review of Administrative Instruction 04/2015 completed
- 1 Communication & Visibility Plan developed
Governance Strengthening
- 5 Council Members engaged in structured reform process
- Multi-stakeholder working groups facilitated
- Institutional decision-making workflows clarified and formalised
Institutional Structures
- Three (3) Functional CVETAE Committees operationalised:
- Committee for Professional Standards Verification
- Committee for Quality and Teacher Development
- Committee for Cooperation with Social & Development Partners
- Standardised Secretariat documentation templates developed
- Defined procedures for expert engagement and standards verification