Moldovan labour market struggles with skills mismatches and with low relevance of skills obtained after graduation. This problem is even more acute for young people and adults graduating from programs provided by Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions. The share of youth not in education, employment or training (NEET rate) is higher among VET graduates (42% compared to the overall NEET rate of 27% among youngsters aged 15-29).

Moldovan VET system fails to provide learners with relevant skills due to a range of problems it faces, such as: (a) insufficient capacity and expertise to effectively engage with private sector companies and customers; (b) low capacity to develop and implement demand-oriented CVET programs for private companies or other clients that are looking for upskilling or re-skilling programs; (c) low relevance of the in-school production workshops and entrepreneurial activities; (d) insufficient managerial and technical capacity to be accountable and student-centred.

The CREATIVO project is implemented by Center for Entrepreneurial Education and Business Support (CEDA). To provide qualitive (initial and continuous) VET services that deliver skills demanded on the labour market, VET institutions should integrate demand-oriented approaches. At least 10 institutions will be selected to participate in this project. In the application stage, the institutions will choose one of the two pathways: development of market-driven, inclusive courses or development of universally designed goods /services. The project intervenes at policy, institutional, and beneficiary levels and will contribute to strengthening the cooperation between the private sector and VET institutions.