Dual education has gained momentum in Moldova, and companies are increasingly turning to this method of professional training for young people, said Galina Rusu, state secretary at the Ministry of Education, during an IPN debate. According to her, young people cannot be forced to continue working in the company after graduation, and this can only be achieved through their motivation.
Dual education was piloted in Moldova in 2014, and since then the number of companies implementing it has constantly increased, proving its reliability, said the state secretary.
“Dual education has gained momentum. We implemented the expense compensation system. We have a good legislative foundation to spread dual education. We borrowed the experience of Germany and Switzerland, in particular. We had their full support and expertise in this field. We at the Ministry of Education believe in this form of study, even if there are various challenges, which are due to low salaries for the most part. We have a clear statistic. If companies are involved, it means that they have benefits, they have results. Educational institutions have well-prepared graduates, therefore, they also have a good image regarding the training of specialists in the field”, said Galina Rusu.
According to the law, dual education is a combination of apprenticeship and vocational training, with the responsibilities shared between the dual partners – the employer and the educational institution. The state secretary explained that the work and study program is adjusted following a dialogue between the educational institution and the company.
“We at the Ministry of Education approve a standard study plan. But it can be adjusted under the partnership agreement between the company and the educational institution. The disciplines are decided, it is decided how many hours a day the student will work at the company. The educational institution is of course in charge of the theoretical part. The institution is required to adjust the study plan to the needs of the respective company”, said Galina Rusu.
The official added that students cannot be forced by contract to continue working at the company after graduating. This can only be achieved through motivation.
“This aspect was discussed with the Unions, among other stakeholders, when the dual education law was approved. I personally, and the Ministry of Education, support the idea of education for all, vocational training for all. But motivation, not obligation. We believe that if these students are forced to work by contract alone, without motivation, they will not bring added value to the company. We don’t believe that you can get results by force”, explained the state secretary.
The European Union implements in Moldova a program supporting businesses to adopt dual education in the period September 2023-August 2024.
The debate titled “European support for the Moldovan industry” was the fourth installment of IPN’s “Benefits of EU accession” Series, funded by the Soros Moldova Foundation.
