Greening apprenticeships: Croatia

This article is part of a series developed by Cedefop community of apprenticeship experts. It was drafted by Mirela Franović, Community expert for Croatia, and revised by Cedefop staff. 

In Croatia, the new Methodology for Occupational Standard Development (2021) states that all new occupational standards should include both skills for the green transition and digital skills. This requirement covers the ongoing development of new occupational standards that was initiated in 2019 by the Croatian Ministry of Labour (as part of an ESF project for the Implementation of the Croatian qualifications framework and the Development of tools to link education and labour market).  

So far, all 200 occupational standards have been developed and 182 of them included in the CROQF Registry of Occupational Standards, many of which for trades and crafts occupations, in which apprenticeship is offered in Croatia (the JMO model of education). The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK), a strong advocate of apprenticeships in Croatia, is a consortium member of the ESF project.  

The new occupational standard for auto-mechatronics, developed by the HOK, is an example of a new standard in which many new technologies related to the green (and digital) transition are embedded. For its development, the HOK followed Ministry of Labour guidelines to take into consideration new green technologies and include skills for the green transition (as well as digital skills). The HOK involved company representatives in the design process (employers and employees in the sector) and took their observations and suggestions into consideration whenever possible (including those on the need for more hours of practical assignments at the workplace and the overall better organisation of apprenticeship).  

The standard refers to qualifications that are currently only accessible through apprenticeships, although in principle they can be achieved through other forms of (school-based) learning. The occupational standard has been included in the official register of occupational standards and applies at national level.   

Occupational standards are the basis of the subsequent development of qualification standards and new curricula. Inclusion of green elements in occupational standards (in terms of work activities and competences needed) accordingly guides the content of qualifications in terms of learning outcomes (the standards also encourage a well-rounded education, ensuring that students receive knowledge and skills they need for their personal and professional growth). 

On the basis of the new occupational standard for auto-mechatronics, a new qualification standard and new curricula were developed, both to be applied primarily in the apprenticeship programme for the occupation (IVET at secondary level – however, the qualification has also been the basis for three micro-qualifications for adults). The green elements in the qualification standard were developed according to the occupation standard. Relevant sets of learning outcomes include: safety at work, fire protection and environmental protection; service workshop, environmental protection and waste disposal; safety requirements associated with hybrid and electric vehicles; servicing and maintenance of hybrid vehicles; servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles; servicing and maintenance of HEV/EV batteries.  

The Vice Vlatkovica VET school in Zadar led the process of qualification and curricula development in the context of an ESF project (‘Be ready, be competent’) that set up a regional centre of competence (RCC) in mechanical engineering. RCCs are centres of vocational excellence, and have brought VET stakeholders together for the development of new qualification standards and curricula. Some 25 such centres were developed in Croatia under the Programme for the Development of VET 2016-20 (EU funded). Teachers and trainers were actively included in developing the qualification standard and curriculum.   

The development of occupational standards, and subsequently of qualification standards and curricula, is regulated by the Act on Croatian Qualifications Framework and its bylaws, the VET Act and the Act on Trades and Crafts for education in associated trades and crafts (JMO apprenticeship). According to the latest legal framework (2021), the Ministry of Labour is in charge of the CROQF Registry of Occupational Standards and should review occupational standards drafts, name expert working groups who review them and decide on which occupational standards can be included in the Registry. The Ministry consults and collaborates with labour market representatives (chambers etc.).