ArmInfo. The youth unemployment rate in Armenia is worrying. EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin stated this on October 29, presenting a program to promote the development of intermediate vocational education (IVE).
Wiktorin noted that the EU and the Armenian government are cooperating in creating new opportunities for young people and enhancing their involvement in the social life of the country. According to her, one of the challenges for the republic is youth unemployment, the reason for which lies, inter alia, in the mismatch of professional skills with the needs of the labor market.
Thus, the desire to get a higher education does not guarantee the student the opportunity to get a job in the future.
Pointing out that this negatively affects the economy, Wiktorin emphasized that a similar situation is observed in other countries of the world. Among the ways to change the situation are improving the quality of education and bringing it in line with the needs of the labor market, as well as involving the business sector in the educational sector.
Wiktorin informed that in September this year, with the assistance of the EU and the "Agency for Strategic Development" NGO a program was launched in Armenia to promote the development of intermediate vocational education (IVE). As part of it, a new training model will be introduced in the agricultural colleges of Goris and Stepanavan in two specializations - cattle breeding, technology of milk and dairy products. This model is based on the close interaction of business education, using a learning mechanism based on the work process.
The program will end in April 2021, and, as Wiktorin expressed hope, its model can later find application in other educational institutions of intermediate vocational education.
For his part, RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arayik Harutyunyan noted that in recent years there has been an increase in interest in intermediate vocational education in the country. In addition, with the assistance of donor organizations, in educational institutions of intermediate vocational education, repair and technical re-equipment are being carried out in stages. According to him, studies of the needs of the labor market in the short and long term are being carried out, as well as steps are being taken to involve the business sector in the educational sector.