After a review of vocational training programmes, over 300 that were outdated or not active have been removed from the national register. To improve the quality and relevance of vocational training, they will be replaced by modular programmes with a more flexible implementation structure.

The review concluded that almost a third of the training programmes had not been followed by students for at least the past three years; the majority were registered 15 or more years ago and many were created for occupations which are no longer in demand. As stated by the Minister of Education and Science, Jurgita Petrauskienė, vocational training is being completely modernised by improving its quality. Education should provide learners with skills and qualifications valued in the labour market, and support their employability. Currently, the national register of study, training programmes and qualifications (Studijų, mokymo programų ir kvalifikacijų registras) consists of 802 VET programmes: 316 out of 1118 vocational programmes were removed during the review.

Modular VET curricula for sector-based occupational standards

Old VET programmes, based on VET standards designed for a specific qualification, are gradually being replaced. New ones, designed using sectoral qualification standards or, in the absence of these, following occupational activity analysis, are more flexible: for each qualification the standard describes competences expressed in learning outcomes and grouped into units. Presently, 76 modular VET programmes are registered. It is expected that having exclusively shifted to modular programmes will make the VET offer more attractive, better meeting learner needs.

In 2018, planned developments aim to improve the quality of the training offer and align it with the needs of the economy and student expectations: the management of vocational training institutions will be reformed to include representatives from municipal government, businesses and schools; new requirements for training learners in VET institutions are also expected to be approved.

Source: ReferNet Lithuania

Read more:

in Lithuanian:
http://www.smm.lt/web/lt/pranesimai_spaudai/naujienos_1/pertvarkant-profesini-mokyma-atsisakoma-daugiau-nei-300-profesinio-mokymo-programu
National register of training programmes (hosted at AIKOS, the open information, counselling and guidance system web portal) http://www.aikos.smm.lt

In English:
http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/lv/news-and-press/news/lithuania-modular-vet-programmes-be-developed-most-popular-vet-qualifications