Goražde: Money for high school students learning trades

(Patria) - Eldin Lepenica is one of 80 students of the Secondary Vocational School „Džemal Bijedić“ Goražde who carry out practical training in companies in the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton Goražde. Students of secondary vocational schools in this canton, the only ones in BiH, have had a mentor, a hot meal, transport and compensation for practical training provided since this school year, thanks to the adoption of a rulebook regulating the implementation of practical training in companies, which came into force last August. 

The Rulebook on the organization and implementation of practical training in secondary vocational schools and at business entities was adopted by the Ministry of Education, Youth, Science, Culture and Sports of BPK Goražde. The German GIZ provided support for the development of the Rulebook and all accompanying activities. 

Lepenica says that he received his first compensation from the company where he does his internship in October 2018, and he used the money to pay the first installment of his driving test. This responsible student emphasizes the importance of promoting trades and secondary vocational schools that prepare young people for the future. 

“Through work, we become more responsible people, and for me, the feeling of being perceived as an adult who earns money independently is priceless,” says Lepenica.

Based on the expressed needs of employers in BPK Goražde, and through cooperation between GIZ, the Ministry, secondary vocational schools and companies, a normative framework for introducing vocational education with elements of dual education, which implies close cooperation between school and the economy, has been developed over the past year. 

Amir Duhović, a professional advisor for legal affairs in the aforementioned Ministry, is satisfied with the reactions from the field: „The step we have taken towards dual education in our canton can be an example to other regions on how to improve the secondary vocational education system.“ 

Shortly after the implementation of the Rulebook began, the Secondary Vocational School „Džemal Bijedić“ Goražde concluded seven contracts with companies and over 80 individual contracts with students or their parents, which proves the great interest of business entities in participating in the organization of practical training with dual elements.

In addition to the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton Goražde, activities of the GIZ project „Vocational Education“ are also being implemented in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and the Republic of Srpska, an entity in BiH, with the participation of six schools and 500 students. The implementation of the project is entrusted to Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German government. The project aims to align vocational education with the needs of the labor market in order to increase the employment rate and influence positive socio-economic development.