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DUAL POINTS: The newest addition to the vocational
guidance system in Slovakia

Dual vocational education and training (VET) has been the main initiative within the VET
sector in Slovakia since 2015. To increase the pace of system implementation and to render
VET studies more attractive, 8 VET regional consultation centres – ‘dual points’, have re-
cently been opened.

The existence of regional infor-
mation and consultation centres
has added another supporting
element into vocational guidance
provision in Slovakia. Through
‘dual points’, school counsellors
get the opportunity to gain up-to-
date information on regional la-
bour market trends and to learn
about local businesses and the
VET schools participating in the
dual VET scheme. Services pro-
vided by the dual points’ person-
nel also include certified training
for primary schools and their ped-
agogical staff.

The newly established ‘dual

Although Slovakia has a long stitute of Vocational Education points’ are operating throughout
VET tradition, with one of the (ŠIOV) to support the implemen- the country in all the 8 regional
highest share of upper second- tation and improve the attractive- capitals and shall serve as con-
ary students in VET within the EU ness of the dual VET system. One sultation platforms that bring to-
(69%), a lot of attention and effort of the most recent developments gether all the regional stakehold-
in recent years has centered on in the project was a launch of 8 ers involved in dual VET (primary
improving the quality and labour regional consultation centres – and secondary schools, employ-
market relevance of VET. Within ‘dual points’ – with the aim of im- ers, learners and parents). The
this objective, a ‘dual’ VET system proving overall responsiveness of introduction of this new element
was introduced in 2015, which the system. The ‘dual points’ were into VET in Slovakia is expected
created a parallel mixed (school opened to create a space for in- to support closer school-compa-
and company-based) learning forming employers, school staff, ny partnerships.
system to the traditional school- parents, learners and the wider Find more information on VET in
based only VET programme. public about the available appren- Slovakia here.
ticeship vacancies within the sys-
In 2016, an ESF-funded project tem and to improve communica- Ladislav Ostroha
was launched by the State In- tion on its benefits. Euroguidance Slovakia