RCF: Grants awarded for the development of vocational education

The ceremonial award ceremony of the Regional Challenge Fund was held on February 2, 2021 at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro. The ceremony gathered representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the Chamber of Investment Forum, the Embassy of Germany, KfW - German Development Bank, and representatives of the awarded consortia.

The Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) is a financial mechanism designed to improve youth employability. This project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KfW). The main partner in the implementation of the project is the Western Balkans Chamber of Investment Forum 6 (WB6CIF).

It was announced at the meeting that after the first call for project proposals, RCF received 205 expressions of interest from consortia and institutions dealing with vocational education and training, and companies from the Western Balkans region. Out of the total number of applications, 29 came from Montenegro. The further work of the Selection Commission decided to propose the two most successful projects from Montenegro for financing and receive investments in infrastructure and equipment in vocational education institutions, as well as training and development of all involved in the implementation of cooperative education programs. The funds will be invested in the total amount of 937,249 EUR.

The consortium consisting of Vaso Aligrudic High School of Electrical Engineering from Podgorica with partners Bild Studio, Alicorn, Data Design, Amplitudo, and Mont-Engineering received a grant of 511,509 thousand euros, while the consortium of Danilo Kiš Mixed High School from Podgorica Budva with partners Hotel Group Montenegro Stars, Budva, Gospoština Lux, Budva and Spencer & Hill Team, Bečići awarded a grant in the amount of 425,740 thousand euros.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Robert Heinrich Weber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro, Marija Lalatović, Director, Directorate of General Secondary Education, Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports , Željko Uljarević, Director of KfW German Development Bank, Office in Montenegro. The meeting was moderated by Balša Ćulafić, RCF project coordinator on behalf of the Chamber Investment Forum and coordinator for cooperation with international organizations in the Chamber of Commerce.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Nina Drakić, pointed out that this project of the Regional Challenge Fund is important for Montenegro and neighboring countries because it offers the necessary new knowledge, new human energy, ie qualified employees and executors to make our economy competitive.

- The economy that is developing under the influence of new technologies and market requirements includes the educational system that is constantly improving and adapting to the needs of the time. Digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence, and other consumer demands will continue to seek and impose new qualifications of professional knowledge and education - said Drakić.

According to her, the received grants will improve the work of eight economic entities and two educational institutions from Montenegro, and it is encouraging that smaller companies are also interested in improving human resources and cooperation with educational institutions.

She invited companies and educational institutions to apply in the next calls, and announced that they would start activities at the end of the month to announce a new one.

German Ambassador Robert Heinrich Weber congratulated the consortia from Montenegro that received grants from the Regional Challenge Fund for the projects.

According to him, the promotion of employment and nurturing vocational education is the main focus in the activities carried out by KFW in recent years, and a very important topic when it comes to cooperation between Montenegro and Germany.

- We know that the cooperation of vocational schools and the private sector is necessary and extremely important. This is a way to fund and link regional training centers and the private sector to develop programs that meet the needs of the economy. A well-trained workforce is the key to sustainable economic growth and long-term market survival, Weber said.

He emphasizes that Germany wants to support Montenegro on its European path, and that we should be proud that the realization of this project will provide a strong contribution to the competitiveness of Montenegrin companies in the common market of the European Union.

Marija Lalatović, Director of the Directorate for General Secondary Education, Vocational and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, said that only through the cooperation of partners from the world of education and work, the vocational education system can follow the needs of the economy and the individual in order to better cope with the labor market.

She said that the results of this project will contribute to further development of vocational education, improvement of knowledge and skills in priority sectors, greater employment of young people and job creation, as well as greater participation in lifelong learning and development of transferable skills and key competencies.

- Electrical Engineering School from Podgorica "Vaso Aligrudić" and Secondary Mixed School "Danilo Kiš" from Budva will become places for training teachers and employees of the consortium, exchange of knowledge, encourage creativity and innovation, birth of new ideas. For other schools and their partners, these projects will be an incentive to prepare new or improve their project proposals, and be successful in future calls - Lalatović pointed out.

According to her, this is an opportunity for the mentioned schools to become regional learning centers for young people and adults, and to be a place of lifelong learning.

- Human infrastructure is the most important factor in economic development, political stability, progress of society and accession to the European Union - said the director of KfW of the German Development Bank Zeljko Uljarevic.

He added that KfW is aware that able-bodied youth and working people are extremely important, and that they are increasingly turning to such projects as the Regional Fund for Challenges.

Uljarevic called on all those who did not receive funds to apply for them in the second round and use the opportunity to consult with the Chamber of Commerce and KfW when drafting projects.

In a video message, the director of the Electrical Engineering School, Milanka Stanišić, said that this grant will enable, through the concept of cooperative education, 86 students to perform practical classes in companies.

- We also expect the RCF to adapt classrooms into workshops and modern laboratories. Laboratory and equipment for IT cabinets will provide our students with better acquisition of basic knowledge and skills in the field of electrical engineering, as well as modern working conditions - she stated.

Former director of the Secondary Mixed School "Danilo Kiš" from Budva, Nada Purić said that they have applied for a project that will bring the school an adaptation of the experimental cabinet complex and be purposely equipped to simulate work in catering and tourism facilities, through exercises and practical classes. and for the adaptation and establishment of a school restaurant and reception. She pointed out that they expect professional support from the RCF during the entire duration of the project.