Successful Implementation of the Dual Education Model in Serbia

Serbia is among Western Balkan countries with the most developed model of dual education. Law on Dual Education with the accompanying bylaws provided the institutional framework. From the academic year 2019/20, dual education has been offered as an optional track within the formal secondary vocational education system. Dual profiles allocate at least 20% and at most 80% of the total number of hours for vocational subjects to work-based learning. Each curriculum defines in detail the outcomes of the vocational practice, but there is some flexibility to adapt this to the needs of employers.

Cooperation between learning venues is facilitated in most VET schools by a coordinator for professional practice in companies, a function that exists in most schools in addition to the coordinator for practical learning in school workshops. Contracts in dual education are signed between vocational schools and companies and also between learners/parents and companies. The learners will have the status of a student, rather than an employee, but will receive financial compensation of at least 70% of the minimum wage.

The joint efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Serbia and Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and specific Sector for Dual and Entrepreneurial Learning, contributed to the successful implementation of the dual education model, that currently involves 7000 students in 37 educational profiles.

More results on dual education in Serbia could be found in videos available here: https://youtu.be/uNc_24Y3Uuw or here: https://youtu.be/zKIYjtYXxsE