Types of institutions

The system of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Albania is the whole system of institution that offer qualifications and vocational skills. It is compound by the following institutions: 

• Vocational Education and Training schools [Shkolla Profesionale]. 
• Centers of Vocational Formation [Qendra për Formimin Profesional]
• Multifunctional Centers [Qendra Multifunksionale].

Professional qualifications are long term and are offered by Vocational Education and Training Schools while short terms qualifications are offered by the Centers for Vocational Formation and Multifunctional Centers. 

Vocational Education and Training Schools alongside general upper secondary offer practical and theoretical competencies in respective vocational profiles. In difference from general upper secondary education vocational education at upper secondary level might have a duration of 2 3 or 4 years. 

Admission Criteria and Choice of School

Admission criteria in upper secondary vocational education institutions are similar to those posed in general education ones. Sometimes additional requirements are posed such as possessing respective average on certain subject related to the respective specialization. Such criteria are announced by respective orders of Minister of Education and Finances.

Organization of School Time

School time is organized by respective orders of Minister of Education and Sports that change on yearly basis. School time is organized similarly to integrated basic and lower secondary education. For matura students the year ends earlier (one month prior to exams) so that they can have the necessary time to study for their matura exams.