BP Over VET? Theorized Consequences of Current Education System in Albania

Although significant investments have been made throughout the higher education programs and vocational education and training schools, Albania is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled labor. Despite recent developments, including the adaptation of the Bologna Process, higher wages offered in vocational fields and a series of laws supporting vocational education and training programs, the pursuit of higher education studies is the superior choice of the Albanian workforce. This conceptual paper takes stock of the current education system (including higher education and vocational and training programs) in Albania and describes the increased priori of a university degree over vocational education in spite of a labor shortage in technical fields. Finally, the paper theorizes that the attendance of higher education is progressively negatively impacting not only vocational education but also weakening the link between vocational schools and employment market