CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

"Career Guidance in Albania: Present and Future" Conference

On December 5, 2024, Helvetas hosted the "Career Guidance in Albania: Present and Future" conference. This significant event brought together experts, public and private representatives, and stakeholders to discuss the development of career guidance services. The conference was greeted by Ms. Olta Manjani, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, and Mr. Philip Arnold, Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania.

The keynote speech by Mrs. Jaana Kettunen, Deputy Director of the Finnish Institute for Educational Research, showcased how AI can revolutionize career guidance, empowering individuals to make better education and employment choices. The conference highlighted the achievements and challenges of implementing career counseling in Albania, the role of state institutions, and the impact of international experiences and technological advancements.

The first panel addressed the challenges and the need for coordination among public career counseling providers to create an effective career system in Albania. It focused on the initial career counseling offices established in the country and the existing structures. The conference concluded with a discussion on the media's role in guiding youth career choices, empowering them to make informed decisions about their professional paths.

Over the past 12 years, Helvetas in Albania has significantly contributed to the career guidance ecosystem in Albania through the 'RisiAlbania' project, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project has worked on developing the career counseling system and supporting key actors in providing this service as a public good by local authorities. It has also improved services for students in public universities, integrated career education into the pre-university system, and enhanced the master's program in career counseling at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana.