Deputy Minister of Education and Youth Galina Bulat was empowered by the executive to sign after negotiations an amendment to the agreement between the Governments of Moldova and Sweden on support of the labor market authorities and professional education services in the framework of activities to improve the Moldovan labor market, Info- Prim Neo reports. The amendment provides for the extension of the project until the end of this year. The technical assistance is valued at 1.5 million and, respectively, 5.1 million Swedish kronor for the two components of the project: labor force market and education services (about $141,000 and $655,000 respectively). The agreement was signed on April 5, 2006. During two years, there was worked out the strategy for developing the professional formation and training system in Moldova and created the National Professional Education Development Center. Other activities carried out as part of the project included: the adjustment of the regulations of the commission for negotiations and collective consultations in the field of constructions, the constitution of the first sectoral committee for professional formation in the field of constructions with the help of the employers, trade unions and ministries, etc. The project also focused on the problems faced by excluded children and children from vulnerable groups, including the minimization of the school abandonment rate. Activities to strengthen the social dialogue and continuously develop the professional formation and training system will be carried out until this yearend. Officials of the Ministry of Education and Youth say that the Ministry and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency established constructive cooperation relations that enable to modernize the professional education system and adjust it to the labor market requirements.