Slovenia has developed new continuing vocational education and training (CVET) programmes for employed graduates (SQF 4, 5 and 6) to meet employers’ needs for skills and competences. The employers expressed their needs and vision for the future. VET schools and the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for VET (CPI) are subsequently carrying out the programme development.

Formal CVET programmes, envisaged by legislation several years ago, were available at a limited scale, such as foreman programmes or exams for certain regulated professions (e.g. drivers). Methodology for the new formal CVET programmes has been developed within the ESF project Development of continuous VET programmes 2017-22 (PINPIU).

New formal CVET programmes (up to 30 credit points) aim to upskill, update and develop specific vocational competences of employed VET graduates to improve the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy – primarily small and medium-sized companies – and better match skills supply and demand in the labour market.

Two types of programmes are envisioned:

  • upskilling programmes: designed to improve, expand and update competences already gained through initial VET programmes. Completed initial education in a relevant field and level of study is required. The education ministry published the first programme at SQF level 6 (higher VET education) for dispatcher of freight road transport, and is currently developing several others, such as beauty therapist, accountant, controller and expert in building automation. Research for SQF level 4 and 5 programmes (upper secondary VET education) is ongoing;
     
  • training programmes at SQF levels 4 and 5: aim to equip individuals with knowledge and skills for professions (or part of a profession) that are not offered within initial VET. The basis for these programmes will be newly adopted vocational standards.

Within the PINPIU project, the CPI also promotes such CVET programmes among stakeholders. Research is in progress to determine the needs of the companies for additional knowledge, skills and competences in cooperation with the MUNERA 3 project.

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PINPIU project

MUNERA 3 project Development of new continuing VET programmes