2026

State to cover half of the costs incurred by companies providing dual education

Companies participating in dual education can recover 50% of the costs incurred for the practical training of pupils. On 29 July 2026, the Government approved the establishment of a state aid mechanism for employers investing in the vocational training of young people through dual education.

Amendments to the admission regulations for vocational education

One of the main changes is the extension of the categories of persons eligible to apply for state-funded places. In addition to citizens of the Republic of Moldova, citizens of European Union Member States and states that are signatories to the Schengen Agreement, refugees, stateless persons, and foreign citizens with at least one parent who is a citizen of the Republic of Moldova will be eligible to compete for these places.

The amended regulations also introduce new measures to promote educational inclusion. Up to 1% of state-funded places may be reserved for specific categories of applicants, including candidates of Roma ethnicity.

Changes in the vocational education network: one school becomes a social services centre and two colleges change their status

The Ministry of Education and Research announced a number of changes to the vocational education network involving three institutions: Vocational School No. 11 in Chișinău, the College of Engineering in Strășeni, and the “Alexei Mateevici” College in Chișinău.

The most significant change concerns Vocational School No. 11 in Chișinău, which has been transformed into a multifunctional social services centre for persons with disabilities. The institution will change its mission from providing vocational training to delivering integrated social services.

The College of Engineering in Strășeni will be reorganised through its absorption by the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Electronics. The “Alexei Mateevici” College in Chișinău will be renamed the “Alexei Mateevici” Centre of Excellence in Pedagogy, in recognition of its important role in teacher training.

Expansion of dual VET

A central reform priority was the expansion of dual VET, combining school-based learning with work-based training. This approach was promoted within the Education 2030 Strategy as a key mechanism for increasing employability and aligning skills with labour market needs.

2025

Modernisation of VET curricula

An important measure was the modernisation of VET curricula, including the development and approval of new occupational standards and curricula aligned with the National Qualifications Framework.

Memorandum for Accelerating Dual Education in the Republic of Moldova

Young people in the Republic of Moldova benefit from new training opportunities through dual education, with the launch of the project "Accelerating Dual Vocational Education in the Republic of Moldova". Its aim is to improve the employment prospects and professional insertion of graduates by strengthening the link between education and the economic environment.

A memorandum in this regard was signed on 21/08/2025 between the Ministry of Education and Research, Liechtenstein-Moldova Development Services, the Public Association "Education for Development" and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova. The project envisages an increase in the admission rate to dual vocational education by up to 15% by 2028, improving the employability of young people, and involving new companies.

Introduction of three new qualifications in the field of green economy and food sector

The Government of the Republic of Moldova approved on 11/06/2025 the addition of three new qualifications to the “Nomenclature of Vocational Training Fields and Trades/Professions”. The update comes in response to requests from vocational education institutions and economic agents.

The new qualifications are: heating and solar equipment installer; shallow geothermal systems and heat pump installer; food product receptionist/dispatcher.

2024

In 2024, The Ministry of Education and Research has introduced key reforms in vocational and adult education, including free professional retraining for teachers, the establishment of a national education and leadership institute, the expansion of vocational training specialisations, and the approval of a new regulatory framework for adult education:

• Free Professional Retraining Courses for 1,200 Teachers – In 2024, approximately 1,200 teachers from general and technical vocational education benefited from free professional retraining courses. The Ministry of Education and Research fully covered the programme costs. This opportunity was available to teachers enrolling in 60-credit professional retraining programmes related to their initial field of study.
• Launch of the National Institute for Education and Leadership (INEL) – the newly established institute aims to train 1,000 mentors, develop mentoring programmes and partnerships for pedagogical practice, and promote the teaching profession among young people.
• New Specialisations and Qualifications Added to the Nomenclature of Fields in Vocational Education and Training Programmes  – the official lists of vocational training fields have been updated to include new specialisations aligned with ISCED levels 4 and 5. These additions aim to prepare skilled professionals in fields such as arts, construction, energy, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Among the new programmes are Agricultural Technology and Digitalisation, Cultural Services Planning, Vocational Teacher Training, and Renewable Energy Systems.
• Approval of the New Adult Education Regulation – the government has adopted a revised version of the Adult Education Regulation, defining key aspects such as training programme types and duration, micro-qualifications, and the evaluation and certification of adult professional training.