The European Migration Network has published a report entitled “Vocational education and training for applicants and beneficiaries of international protection”, which summarises the experiences of EMN member countries and Serbia.
Most countries provide applicants for and/or beneficiaries of international protection with access to general vocational education and training programs under the same conditions as nationals and other third-country nationals/ foreign nationals legally residing in the country. Approximately one third of the respondent countries include only BIP in general VET programs, while approximately two thirds include both BIP and applicants for international protection in general VET programs.
The authorities responsible for national vocational education and training programs are mainly those responsible for labor issues, such as public employment services and ministries of labor and/or employment, as well as specific employment-related institutions.
Most EMN member states and Serbia offer general incentives to participants in vocational education and training programs, such as financial and transport allowances.
Good practices include cooperation with the private sector, combining vocational education and training programs with work, and establishing a single point of contact system for the provision of vocational education and training.
The restrictions and challenges summarized in the report include language barriers, difficulties in recognizing prior education, and a lack of vocational education and training programs suitable for persons with refugee status and applicants for international protection.