The state partially compensates the expenses for the professional training of young people in dual education, noted Sergiu Harea, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during an IPN debate on Friday.

According to Sergiu Harea, this year the government allocated 10 million lei to compensate the expenses of companies that implement dual education. The European Union also implements in Moldova a program to support businesses with dual education in the period of September 2023-August 2024.

Sergiu Harea explained that dual education is a mutually beneficial process for companies and young people, which offers the opportunity to combine theory with practice. According to Sergiu Harea, young people have the opportunity to learn and study at the same time, enjoying a scholarship, salary and social package.

“The slogan that we launched together with the Ministry of Education is ‘learn, work, earn’ and it’s a fortunate one. Because young people are similar to an employee of the company, they have the same social package as any employee. Every employer offers salaries based on performance and work productivity. The social package includes meal vouchers, transport vouchers. According to the legislation in force, no employed student or dual student can receive a salary lower than the national minimum. This requirement is mandatory. Subsequently, those who perform, also get bonuses. Later as the students graduate, they become qualified and certified personnel, with their salaries rising to the national average, which is now 14,500 lei”, said Harea.

According to him, in the last academic year, about 1,700 students were trained through dual education. Their salary increases gradually depending on their performance.

“At the beginning of dual education, employers are required to pay them the national minimum, and afterwards at least the national average. After that, it all depends on their productivity and how persistent the employees are in cooperation with the employer to negotiate their salaries. Dual education students also have a scholarship, which they receive from the state, and also have a full social package, including health care insurance”, said Sergiu Harea.

Sergiu Harea explained that the state partially compensates the expenses of companies that implement dual education. Currently in Moldova, 178 companies participate in the training of the workforce through professional training programs for dual education students.

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.