Dual education in the Republic of Moldova: A successful model for professional training of young people and supporting companies.

Dual education, an innovative form of education in Moldova, has been piloted since 2014. Over the years, this educational model has gained ground, being implemented in an increasing number of technical vocational schools throughout the country. In 2022, the Parliament officially regulated this type of training by adopting the Law No 110, providing a clear legal framework for the development and implementation of dual education.

What is dual education?

Dual education in Moldova is a modern form of vocational training, specific to technical vocational education. Its essential feature is that it combines class hours taught in colleges, centers of excellence or vocational schools with on-the-job practice hours held directly within a business. This education model provides integrated training that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, thus helping train professionals who are well prepared for the labor market.

Benefits for businesses

Dual education offers companies multiple advantages, turning them into active partners in the process of training future professionals. The main benefits include:

• Training of future professionals based on their own needs: Dual education allows companies to contribute directly to the vocational training of young people according to the skills and abilities they need, thus reducing the discrepancies between theoretical training and labor market requirements.
• Integration of professionals during their studies: Companies can integrate trainees into work during their studies, gradually training them and introducing them to specific work processes. This approach reduces staff turnover and provides stability.
• Reduction of recruitment and training costs: By engaging in dual training, companies reduce the costs of recruiting and training new employees, already having at their disposal qualified personnel ready to dive right into production processes.
• Compensation of dual education costs: The state offers companies the opportunity to recover up to 50% of training costs, which is an important incentive for involvement in this type of education.
• Creation of a healthy competition environment: By training young people in a competitive and well-structured environment, companies develop an organizational culture based on excellence and innovation, helping increase overall performance.

Organization of dual education

Dual education in Moldova is structured in such a way that theory and practice complement each other harmoniously. Theoretical classes take place in technical vocational schools, while practical training happens within businesses. The ratio of theory to practice is well defined: 30% of total hours are given to class hours and 70% to practical activities. The period of studies varies depending on the training program complexity and can be from one to three years.

CCI’s duties in Moldovan dual education

1. Support and monitoring activities for dual education are carried out by Moldova’s CCI.
2. CCI has the following dual education-related duties:
3. Endorse the curriculum for dual education professions/specialties;
4. Create a commission to check an entity’s compliance for participation in vocational training through dual education;
5. Prepare and keep the Register of dual education schools and publish it on its official website;
6. Delegate representatives as members of evaluation and qualification committees in dual education;
7. Provide support and assistance to entities interested or involved in the implementation of vocational training programs through dual education;
8. Provide support and assistance in the process of making, applying or terminating vocational training contracts in dual education at the request of the trainee or the entity;
9. Provide support and assistance to entities in the process of creating consortia.

CCI’s role in dual education development

Since 2018, dual technical vocational education has become an integral part of CCI’s portfolio of activities. Based on Government Decision No 70/2018 and Law No 110/2022, Moldova’s CCI has taken on an important role in promoting and implementing this type of vocational training, collaborating with both businesses and technical vocational schools.

CCI’s primary purpose is to support local businesses in providing qualified human resources through early and well-planned interventions. Promoting dual education helps form a prepared and competitive workforce, capable of meeting the current market demands.

Dual education is an effective and practical solution for training young professionals in Moldova. Through partnerships between businesses and technical vocational schools, this form of education helps create real employment opportunities and supports the country’s economic development. Moldova’s CCI remains a reliable partner in this process, supporting through ongoing efforts the integration of this innovative educational model in all sectors of the national economy.

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