Gender Gap in Skills Development: Determinants of Girls' Access in Vocational Education in Albania

Sidita Dibra and Blendi Gerdoçi
University of Tirana

Abstract

Albania has experienced significant economic, social, and political transformation during the last three decades that have resulted in huge labor shifts form agriculture and industry to the service sector. Despite some successes, the country is facing particular challenges in the labor market and skill development. The unemployment rate is high, especially among girls and women, vulnerable groups, youngsters, and especially individuals living in rural areas. Vocational education (VE) is considered by the government as an active labor market policy to mitigate youth unemployment, but vocational schools' enrollment is very low, especially among girls. Nevertheless, administrative data show that girls in VE in Albania have higher retention, completion, and achievement, indicating high potential for girls' integration in the labor market. This research aims to identify determinants of girls'enrolment in VE. In-depth interviews with key informants and focus groups with students and family members within and outside VE are used to explore why youngsters, particularly girls, do not choose VE. This study analyzes the gender misbalance from users (students), system offer (vocational schools), social and economic factors, based on human capital investment, social and cultural capital as theoretical frameworks on education choice.


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