Project No.: PROF-ŠMSM-P-001
On 26 February 2025, the Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre signed a project implementation agreement with the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) for the implementation of the project “Increasing Access to Vocational Education and Training for Third-country Nationals” (hereinafter – the Project).
The Project is financed by the Swiss Confederation and the State Budget of the Republic of Lithuania under the 2022–2029 Swiss–Lithuanian Cooperation Programme.
Project Objective
To increase the accessibility and inclusiveness of vocational education and training (VET) by ensuring the provision of high-quality training and related services to third-country nationals, thereby facilitating their successful integration into the labour market.
Main Problem Addressed by the Project
The Lithuanian VET system is not sufficiently adapted to the needs of third-country nationals. Although various reforms aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of VET have been implemented in recent years, the system remains designed primarily for permanent residents of Lithuania.
Key challenges include the exclusive use of the Lithuanian language in training programmes, the lack of preparedness among VET institutions and teachers to work with migrants, and the absence of methodological tools and counselling systems. Since the integration of third-country nationals into the labour market can help address shortages of skilled labour, it is essential to adapt VET content and strengthen institutional capacities to ensure high-quality social and economic integration.
Target Groups
- Vocational education and training institutions (administrative staff, specialists, teachers)
- Institutions and organisations responsible for VET policy planning, implementation, or supporting the integration of third-country nationals
- Third-country nationals
- Employers
- Employer associations
Project Activities
- Preparation of an analysis to determine the need for measures supporting the inclusion of third-country nationals.
- Development of a methodological guide for VET institutions on the integration of third-country nationals.
- Creation of a professional development programme for VET teachers and staff to improve their skills in teaching third-country nationals.
- Training of 80 VET teachers and staff from at least 5 VET institutions on inclusive VET (introductory and methodological training).
- Development of 10 non-formal VET programmes for third-country nationals, covering priority economic sectors: construction, beauty services, accommodation services, catering services, health care and/or social services, and retail.
- Development of 4 specialised general modules for third-country nationals, covering: assessment and recognition of competences acquired through informal and non-formal learning; career guidance; development of transferable competencies; Lithuanian as a second language in the context of VET.
- Practical piloting of at least 5 non-formal VET programmes tailored for third-country nationals, training no fewer than 50 participants.
- Development of an additional qualification improvement programme for VET teachers and staff to further enhance their ability to teach third-country nationals.
- Training of at least 110 VET teachers and staff through VET institutional capacity-building training.
- Cooperation with Swiss institutions and experts.
Project Results:
- The Project will develop and test methodological and practical tools for VET content adaptation, enabling VET institutions to provide high-quality services to third-country nationals. This will create a methodological and institutional foundation for further system development.
- The accessibility and inclusiveness of VET will be improved, providing third-country nationals with more opportunities to develop or acquire competencies through services offered by VET institutions.
