Establishment of a network of regional centres of competence

30. 09. 2018.

In July 2018, 25 VET schools were chosen among 42 applicant schools to become the first centres of competence in Croatia, based on the quality of VET provision, the number of students in particular sectors, regional distribution of schools and balanced geographical representation of future centres. In the following short-term period, the centres of competence will be established in five priority areas: tourism and hospitality, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and ICT, health care and agriculture. Over 130 million EUR from the European Structural and Investment (ESI) funds will be invested in the state-of-the-art equipment for the future centres, boarding room for VET students and teachers, expanded opportunities for work-based learning and more successful transition of VET graduates to labour market, closer cooperation with employers and advanced teacher training opportunities.

Centres of competence will serve as hubs of excellence in VET with particular focus on work-based learning. Established with the support of ESI funds, the centres of competence will offer VET programs to students, as well as professional guidance and continuous professional development and training for professionals, VET teachers and workplace mentors. Central features of centres of competence include innovative learning opportunities, the excellence of teachers and workplace mentors, as well as state-of-the-art facilities and intensive cooperation with local enterprises and other stakeholders in VET.

Relying on long-standing European best practices in VET, the establishment of centres of competence in Croatia is also in line with the Strategy of Education, Science and Technology, VET System Development Programme 2016-2020 and the new amendments to the Act on Vocational Education from 2018. Finally, the future network of centres of competence represents a unique opportunity to increase investment in VET in Croatia, encourage cooperation and networking between VET schools, higher education institutions and enterprises, promote quality and innovation in VET and advance professional and entrepreneurial competencies of students.

Latest news

In May-June 2021, the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb conducted a survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Croatia. The survey concludes that the effects of the pandemic on learners’ wellbeing and learning progress were considerable; it calls for effective policy responses.

While facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the WorldSkills Croatia 2021 competition was held live from 11 to 13 May in Zagreb, Croatia, for over 300 IVET learners in 43 disciplines.

From March to June 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown and the school transition to distance learning, the Agency for VET and Adult Education (ASOO) conducted a survey on the experience, attitudes and needs associated with distance learning in Croatia. They asked 1348 IVET and CVET teachers to assess digital competences, distance learning delivery and available support. Further surveys were also conducted among pre-tertiary and provider levels to plan support and different scenarios for education and training delivery in 2020/21.

The Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes that occurred in the spring and winter of 2020 respectively, caused major disruption in the education process at all levels, including VET.

Latest publications

Key competences in vocational education and training - Croatia

Vocational education and training in Europe: Croatia - country report

Apprenticeship-type schemes and structured work-based learning programmes

Innovation in vet - Croatia

Supporting teachers and trainers for successful reforms and quality of vet - Croatia

Rss feed

Cedefop turns 50: the countdown is on

In 1975, Cedefop - The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training - embarked on a mission to transform vocational education and training and skills for Europe’s future and prosperit

Malta: launching the national Career Guidance Network

Although the European Year of Skills officially came to an end in May 2024, Malta has concrete plans to build on the momentum it generated.

Malta: a new digital education strategy adopted

Malta has made substantial progress in vocational education and training (VET) in recent years.

Denmark: a new type of vocational upper secondary school announced

Denmark's Ministry of Children and Education has recently put forward a comprehensive reform proposal aimed at reshaping vocational education and training (VET) and upper secondary education.