“I am very happy that after a period of “struggle”, the Austrian Ministry of Education and Science decided to build this college in Moldova, on the territory of FEZ “Balti”. This is an Austrian investment, which includes the construction of a building and teaching in German and English with Austrian teachers,” said Marin Ciobanu, administrator of FEZ “Balti”.
He specified that a similar experience of building a college in Albania 10 years ago attracted hundreds of investors and created tens of thousands of jobs.
The school trains specialists in the field of electronics, including in the field of renewable energy, and specialists in microelectronics. From September 2025 to May 2026, evening courses in German will take place. Thereafter, direct training in the specialty. The cost of the course can be counted towards tuition fees.
According to representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the demand for vocational education and training is generally increasing and the image of these institutions is regaining popularity and prestige.
“The demand for skilled workers is increasing compared to people with higher education. There are significant investments in the infrastructure of vocational education: laboratories, equipment, dormitories and recreational areas,” said Ludmila Stichyi, State Secretary for Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education and Research, in a program on Rlive.
According to her, the most demanded professions at the national level are: computer support operator, data entry and validation operator, car mechanic, electrician, waiter, electric and gas welder, body straightener, meat cutting operator, tractor driver and cook.
“These professions are in demand precisely in vocational schools – recruitment was completed there already in the first phase,” the secretary of state added.
However, the situation differs depending on the region and the level of socio-economic development.
“If, for example, there is little development of grain or food processing in the area, there is little demand for such professions. And if there are more motor vehicle service centers – there is a very high demand for just such professions,” Lyudmila Stikhiy explained.
At the same time, the shortage of personnel in the textile industry remains an acute problem.
“The need for skilled workers in this industry is very high, but for young people these professions – seamstresses, tailors, etc., are not too attractive. – are not too attractive. Probably, young people do not know enough about this profession, its essence, how it is practiced, what equipment is used,” the official said.
In order to attract students to these professions, the Ministry considers early career guidance necessary.
“It is necessary to gradually introduce them to the profession already from the seventh, or even from the fifth grade,” Stikhiy emphasized.
Currently, the system of vocational education offers 250 training programs, two-year programs are overloaded, and there are vacant places for three-year programs.
As for dual education, it is in high demand. Mariana Žuc, director of Chisinau Vocational School No. 5, said: “90% of the educational offerings are already covered. Half of all students are trained under the dual system – almost 450 students. We cooperate with more than 18 large enterprises, which can accept 20-30 pupils within one program. And then there will be no complaints that we did not teach something well, because the training takes place directly at the enterprise.
The employment rate of graduates of this school exceeds 50%, and the goal is to reach 80%.
