The success of the reform will be crucial for Croatia's integration with the European Union, it was said at the presentation.
Professional training in Croatia is an area which was neglected and there was lack of research on market needs. The CARDS (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation) programme, through which the EU supports the overall economic and social development of countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association process, started in 2000 with a project of reform of professional training to make professional training meet labour market demands.
Croatia lacks legislation regulating the reform of professional training, which requires the cooperation of all social partners with the government. Early next year an agency for professional training will be established and it will be in charge of coordinating the cooperation, it was stated.
Speakers at the presentation said the purpose of the project was to promote the European dimension of professional training, which they said required the harmonisation of institutions of higher education to avoid the marginalisation of young people and to tackle the problem of unemployment.
The project has resulted in the establishment of foundations for a flexible system of professional training to increase participation in the labour market.
Skjolstrup said that education had to be connected with the demands of the labour market, which he said required major transition in the organisation of companies and schools.
The purpose of the CARDS 2001 VET programme is the education of a sufficient number of people who would be able to continue implementing reforms in the system of professional training, Skjolstrup said.