Croatia: regional centres of competences in VET reach full-fledged operation

Regional centres of competences in Croatia were appointed in 2018 by decision of the Ministry of Science and Education with a focus on five priority sectors: tourism and hospitality, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and ICT, agriculture, and healthcare. The criteria for selection included factors such as the quality of VET provision, the student population in specific sectors, and the geographical distribution of schools. These multifunctional institutions boast innovative learning models, excellence in teachers and trainers, high-quality infrastructure, and collaborations with social partners, the public sector, and companies. The RCCs are oriented towards students, adult learners, teachers and trainers, the employed and the unemployed, persons with disabilities and students with difficulties.

The establishment of the centres was driven by investments in infrastructure and equipment, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, as well as investments in the quality of teaching and learning funded by the European Social Fund from 2020 to 2023. Infrastructural investments supported the reconstruction, renovation and adaptation of facilities, the procurement of specialised equipment and technologies for VET providers, specifically aiming to improve the quality of work-based learning. Examples include investments in practical training workshops, laboratories, and facilities that simulate authentic work environments (e.g. restaurants in regional centres of competences in tourism and hospitality or hospital facilities in healthcare, as well as workshops for automotive mechatronics, among others).

As the centres are expected to act as knowledge hubs providing educational services to IVET and CVET students in the broader region, investments also targeted accommodation units for visiting teachers, trainers and students, as well as adjustments for students with disabilities. The investments were extended to VET providers cooperating with RCCs, amplifying the impact of funding to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for other VET providers in Croatia, beyond the 25 RCCs. To bolster excellence in teaching and learning, investments are focused on the professional development and training of teachers and trainers, reinforcement of quality assurance and guidance mechanisms, curriculum development (including the development of occupational standards, qualification standards, VET curricula and adult education programmes), the Improvement of work-based learning in IVET and CVET, support to international cooperation and staff mobility, and expansion of opportunities and support for students with difficulties.

In July 2023, the Ministry of Science and Education reaffirmed the appointment of all 25 regional centres of competences in VET for another 5 years. The strategic framework for education, particularly the National Development Strategy for Croatia until 2030 and the National Education System Development Plan 2022–2027, proposes additional measures to support the regional centres of competences in realising their full intended impact on VET. The support is planned through the European Social Fund for the period up to 2029, with a focus on teacher training, enhancing collaboration between businesses and VET providers in their respective sectors and regions, and further development of IVET and CVET programmes, particularly within the context of the green and digital transitions. Specifically, the assistance will support the development of mechanisms for connecting RCCs with the European platform of centres of excellence in VET in the upcoming period.

Read more

• Cedefop and ReferNet (2023). Timeline of VET policies in Europe: Regional centres of competences [online tool]