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

Vocational Education and Training

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.

2022

Updated Register of business entities involved in the implementation of the dual education model

As part of the implementation of dual education, the Ministry of Science and Education published an updated Register of business entities involved in the implementation of the dual education model for the acquisition of the following qualifications: glass-maker, chimney sweep, salesman, painter-decorator, cook, waiter, CNC operator, hairdresser and beautician in the Republic of Croatia.

The Act on amending and supplementing the Vocational Education and Training Act adopted

In June 2022, the Croatian Parliament passed the Act on amending and supplementing the Vocational Education and Training Act with the aim of ensuring efficient acquisition of necessary competencies and improving the learning outcomes of learners in the vocational education system and providing the basis for establishing mechanisms supporting employers and schools. The amendments to the Act introduce a significant novelty regarding the strengthening of work-based learning through connecting schools and employers. With the aim of better integration in the labour market and obtaining practical knowledge in vocational schools, besides defining work-based learning, the place where it can take place – at school, with employers or at the regional centre of competence – is also mentioned. The amendments also introduce professional supervision of the performance of work-based learning with employers.

The second set of novelties introduced by the amendments to the Act relate to the improvement of quality assurance systems and the establishment of mechanisms and criteria for encouraging learners to select qualifications relevant to the labour market. The above mentioned amendments aim to achieve better alignment of the education system with the labour market, i.e., the acquisition of skills with which each learner can successfully access the labour market, make progress and participate in the development of the society.