RCF-Supported Training Centre in Pancevo Inaugurated by President of Serbia and German Ambassador

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Aleksandar Vucic, and the German Ambassador to Serbia, Ms. Anke Konrad, visited the School of Mechanical Engineering in Pancevo, one of the beneficiaries of the Regional Challenge Fund, on the occasion of the official opening of its newly established Training Centre. The Training Centre has been built and partially equipped by the Government of the Republic of Serbia through the Office for Dual Education and the National Qualifications Framework (NQFS), with additional equipment provided through RCF support.

The visit gathered representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Provincial Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the city of Pancevo and partners involved in the project, including Mr. Carsten Sandhop, Director of KfW Development Bank, Ms. Gabrijela Grujic, Director of the Office for Dual Education, and Ms. Mirjana Kovacevic from the Sector for Dual Education and Education Policies at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

Representatives of partner companies, as well as the school’s management and teaching staff, were present as hosts, marking an important milestone for vocational education and industry cooperation in Serbia.

A Modern Training Environment for Future Skills

“There is no success without hard work, which is why investing in dual education is so important,” President Vucic stated, expressing gratitude to German partners and all those involved in bringing the Training Centre to life. He also emphasised that maintaining living standards will remain a priority, noting that artificial intelligence will not replace all professions, and that this is precisely why continued investment in dual education is essential.

He further underlined the broader significance of the initiative:
“The Training Centre of the School of Mechanical Engineering in Pancevo is a symbol of our belief in the young generations. It is a proof of our enduring conviction that knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurship can transform the futures of entire communities. This Centre is also an opportunity for those who lose jobs in labour-intensive industries to retrain quickly and access new, better-paid employment.”

The Training Centre represents a significant investment in modern vocational education infrastructure, delivered through the RCF-funded project Sustainable Future.

Implemented by the School of Mechanical Engineering Pancevo, in partnership with leading companies ZF Serbia d.o.o. Pancevo, Brose d.o.o. Pancevo, and INOX PRERADA d.o.o. Pancevo, the project aims to strengthen practical training and align education with the needs of modern industry.

The newly equipped centre includes various equipment, including the one procured through the RCF, with a value of approximately 600k EUR. Students of the school in Pancevo and adults looking for upskilling and reskilling can now benefit from the advanced training systems, such as ALS automation learning systems, covering pneumatics digitalisation, modular production processes, robotics, PLC programming, and HMI/SCADA systems, as well as networks and IT security. In addition, students now have access to state-of-the-art equipment for welding and cutting technologies, including gas, electric arc, laser, and plasma systems, along with a vertical 3-axis CNC taper mill.

These investments directly support the development of key occupations such as mechatronics technicians, CAM operators, and metalworker-welding operators, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience with technologies used in real industrial environments.

The German Ambassador to Serbia also reaffirmed Germany’s strong support for dual education in Serbia. She said that dual vocational education and training has a long tradition in Germany and combines theory and practice, aligning training with the current needs of companies and the labour market. She added that the positive response from students and their employers at the training centre in the vocational school in Pancevo confirms the value of this approach.

She also thanked KfW and the Regional Challenge Fund, the companies Brose and ZF, and the Government of Serbia, especially the Office for Dual Education, for their commitment and excellent cooperation.

Strengthening Businesses Through Skilled Workforce

Projects like this go beyond improving school infrastructure as they play a critical role in strengthening the competitiveness of businesses in Serbia on the way to the European Union.

Partner companies ensure that students develop skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace, by actively participating in the design and implementation of training programmes. This reduces the skills gap, shortens onboarding time for new employees, and supports companies in securing a reliable pipeline of qualified workers.

For industries that rely on advanced manufacturing, automation, and precision engineering, access to a skilled workforce is essential. Initiatives supported by RCF directly contribute to meeting these needs by connecting education with real production processes.

Creating Opportunities for Young People

At the same time, these investments open new pathways for young people entering the labour market.

Through modern equipment, industry-relevant curricula, and work-based learning opportunities, students are better prepared to transition from education to employment. They gain not only technical knowledge, but also practical experience and confidence to work in complex industrial environments.

As a result, graduates are more competitive, employable, and aligned with the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

The opening of the Training Centre in Pancevo stands as a strong example of how coordinated investments by public institutions, international partners, and the private sector can transform vocational education systems, creating tangible benefits for both businesses and the next generation of skilled professionals.

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