How can vocational education partnerships between Austria and partner countries be designed so that they respond to local needs and are sustainable in practice?
ADA-VET II explored the potential for future vocational education partnerships between Austria and Burkina Faso, Kosovo, Moldova and Uganda.
The project built on an earlier study that examined the interests and capacities of Austrian vocational education institutions. In this second phase, the focus shifted to the partner countries. ZSI investigated what vocational schools, education authorities chambers, businesses and other relevant organisations needed from future cooperation, where they saw opportunities for international cooperation, and what conditions could support or hinder successful partnerships.
The study combined research on the vocational education systems in the four countries with interviews and consultations with local stakeholders. A study visit to Uganda provided the opportunity to engage directly with education institutions, authorities and other relevant actors across the vocational education landscape and to gain a closer understanding of the local vocational education context and possible areas for cooperation.
Particular attention was given to digital and green skills, while remaining open to other priorities identified by stakeholders. Rather than assuming that one model would fit every country, the study looked at what meaningful cooperation could involve in different national contexts, what obstacles would need to be addressed, and what could help partnerships succeed over the longer term.
The findings were discussed with the Austrian Development Agency, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders and brought together in a final report. They provide the Austrian Development Agency with findings and recommendations to inform decisions on how a future programme supporting vocational education partnerships could be designed.
