2025

Start of Implementation of Modular Teaching in Vocational Schools

In the 2025/2026 school year, the implementation of modular teaching began in secondary vocational schools in the Republic of Croatia, marking a significant reform in the organization and delivery of vocational education. The modular approach allows schools to manage various teaching elements more flexibly. By integrating theoretical and practical content through modules, flexibility and innovation are encouraged, enabling students to acquire competencies better aligned with the needs of the labor market.

Modular teaching is a part of the vocational education reform, which has been ongoing since 2018. In that period, key documents have been adopted and numerous activities have been carried out with the aim of ensuring quality implementation:

• National Curriculum for Vocational Education (2018)

• Act on Amendments to the Vocational Education Act (Official Gazette, No. 25/2018)

• Methodology for the Development of Sectoral Curriculum, Vocational Curriculum and Curriculum of Vocational Education Institutions – Guidelines and Instructions for Development (2023)

• During 2024 and 2025, a total of 147 new vocational curricula were adopted, of which 33 are intended for special programs adapted to students with disabilities, while the rest relate to the main vocational programs. Also, the Curriculum of General Education Modules in Vocational Curricula at Levels 4.1 and 4.2 was adopted. (Official Gazette 7/2025).

• Guidelines for the Implementation of Vocational Curricula in individual sectors were adopted

• Experimental implementation of vocational curricula was carried out in a number of schools during school years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025

• Support was provided to vocational education institutions and professional development of teachers and school heads of vocational schools was carried out

• Numerous other activities within the implemented ESF project Modernization of the Vocational Education and Training System (2017 - 2023)

Support for the reform will continue to be provided by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO) through the European Social Fund (ESF+) project Further Implementation of the Vocational Education Curriculum Reform (2025 - 2029).

Contract signed for the Project "Promoting Vocational Education – Work-Based Learning" worth 60 million Euros

The Ministry of Economy, in partnership with the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, will implement the Project "Promoting Vocational Education – Work-Based Learning" worth 60 million Euros, co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF+). The project is primarily aimed at encouraging economic entities to carry out apprenticeships for trade professions, but also at the development of new curricula, training of teachers and mentors, and the promotion of apprenticeships.

The Decision on the Adoption of General Education Subject Curricula for Secondary Vocational Schools has been adopted

In January 2025, the decision came into force adopting the curricula for general education subjects for secondary vocational schools. The subject structure of the general education curricula is common to all qualifications at levels 4.1 and 4.2 of the Croatian Qualifications Framework (CROQF) and constitutes the list of mandatory subjects for all sectoral curricula.

The curricula for the following subjects are an integral part of this decision:
• For level 4.1 of the CROQF: Croatian Language, English Language, German Language, Italian Language, French Language, Spanish Language, Physical Education, History, and Ethics;
• For level 4.2 of the CROQF: Croatian Language, English Language, German Language, Italian Language, French Language, Spanish Language, Mathematics, Physical Education, History, Geography, Ethics, and Politics and Economics.

The curricula of general education subjects relevant to specific sectors and subsectors are developed as sets of learning outcomes and grouped into modules that complement the competencies acquired by students in the basic general education part. They are an integral part of the vocational part of the curriculum (mandatory, elective, or optional) and are interconnected and complement each other. These curricula include: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, History, Computing, Politics and Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Visual Arts, English for Specific Purposes, French for Specific Purposes, German for Specific Purposes, Italian for Specific Purposes, Spanish for Specific Purposes, and Latin for Specific Purposes.

The scope of each general education subject and module is expressed in credit points according to the Croatian Qualifications Framework for Vocational Education and Training (CSVET). One CSVET point represents 25 working hours, with each hour lasting 60 minutes. These points cover the total workload of the student, including direct educational work, independent student work, and work-based learning.

2024

Amendments to the Ordinance on the Manner of Organising and Conducting the Teaching in Vocational Schools

The Ordinance on Amendments to the Ordinance on the Manner of Organising and Conducting the Teaching in Vocational Schools entered into force in September 2024. The Ordinance regulates the organization, implementation and monitoring of classes in vocational schools, the content and forms of the work-based learning and professional practice map, and the contract on the implementation of work-based learning with the employer. Also, the procedure and method of conducting the examination of knowledge and skills acquired at the employer is prescribed.

Amendments specify provisions related to the implementation of professional practice in more detail, and new forms of contracts on the implementation of work-based learning, maps of work-based learning and maps of professional practice have been published.

2023

Regional centers of competence

Regional centers of competence are places of excellence in vocational education and training, where regular vocational secondary programmes are implemented, as well as professional training and lifelong learning.

Regional centers of competence in vocational education in Croatia, were appointed in 2018. In July 2023, the Minister of Science and Education reappointed them with a special decision (Decision on reappointment of regional centers of competence in vocational education). Exactly as five years ago, there are 25 such competence centers across the country, and all of them have been reappointed from the previous period. These centers are appointed for a period of five years, with the possibility of reappointment.

The main characteristics of competence centers are innovative learning models, excellence of teachers, lecturers and mentors at employers and high-quality infrastructure, constructive and creative cooperation with social partners, public sector and business entities and other interested institutions at the local, regional and international level.