Ibrahimaj: Albania needs more skills and innovation to remain competitive
The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital during the National Conference on Vocational Education and Training 2026, where the role of professional skills in economic development and the country's European integration process was discussed.
At the event on the theme "Skills 2030: Building a sustainable VET system on the path to European integration", attended by representatives of state institutions, business and international partners, Ibrahimaj stated that the Albanian economy is going through a transformation phase, orienting itself towards value-added sectors, technology and innovation.
"Albania no longer competes as a low-labor-cost economy. Today, our challenge is to build the skills that the modern labor market requires and to invest in people, as this remains the most important competitive advantage a country can have," the minister said.
She emphasized that economic developments in recent years have brought new demands for qualified professionals, especially in sectors such as information technology, tourism, renewable energy, financial and professional services.
Referring to economic indicators, Ibrahimaj underlined that Albania has recorded an average economic growth of around 4% per year, while the unemployment rate has dropped to 8.3%, the lowest level ever recorded in the country.
The Minister also presented the results of the reforms in vocational education, noting that currently over 17 thousand students are studying in 31 public vocational schools across the country. According to her, participation in vocational education has reached 19.4% of secondary education, up from 12.7% in 2013.
Another positive indicator, according to Ibrahimaj, is the increase in the employability of vocational education graduates, which has reached 63%, compared to 40% four years ago.
She also praised the expansion of the dual education model, which is currently implemented in 15 schools in collaboration with 240 businesses, as well as the results of the National Coding Program, where over 2,500 people have benefited from training.
The minister announced that the government intends to further expand investments in modern laboratories, programs related to artificial intelligence and the green economy, as well as in multifunctional skills centers that will support lifelong learning.
"Sustainable development is not measured only by the pace of economic growth, but by the opportunities we create for our citizens to learn, work and build their future in Albania. Investing in skills is the safest investment for the country's future," Ibrahimaj concluded.
Within the framework of the "Skills 2030" vision, the government also aims to implement the Youth Guarantee on a national scale, with the objective of including around 40 thousand young people by 2032 in employment, training and vocational qualification programs.
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