Šehović on dual education: All students from the first generation stayed to work for employers

During the next year, a joint fund for vocational schools and dual education could be operational as further support for the promotion of secondary vocational schools, and support for students and teachers who are part of the dual education system.

This was announced today by the Minister of Education, Damir Šehović, at a round table of education representatives with businessmen on the subject of vocational schools and dual education.

Šehović recalled the results of the dual education system achieved so far, stating among other things that in 2017, when the system was introduced, 280 students received internships with around 100 employers in 12 municipalities, and that a year later that number was three times higher.

So last year, 250 students did internships with around 19 employers from 800 municipalities.

"Most importantly, all students from the first generation stayed to work for employers where they acquired practical skills," said Šehović.

He added that the number of students enrolling in the third degree has increased significantly in two years.

"In 2017, there were 50 students at the third level, and last year 1.600," he said.

In the dual system of education, third-level students acquire theoretical knowledge in schools, and practical knowledge at employers.

For the completed internship, they also receive a symbolic salary - 50 euros in the first class, 70 euros in the second, and 101 euros in the third.

Šehović said that his department will analyze the possibility of introducing the same system for programs at the fourth level.

He also reminded that 420 students have been awarded scholarships to support the professions in deficit, and that this year up to 700 scholarships in the amount of 70 euros per month will be awarded.

Illustrating how important professional and dual education are for the market, Šehović said that at the end of 2018, there were 41.000 unemployed people in Montenegro, while at the same time there were 30.000 job vacancies.

At the same time, 26.000 work permits for foreigners were issued.

"Dual and professional education are important, because they solve the problem of mismatch in the labor market," he said.