How can young people graduate with the skills and competencies that employers truly need? This question lies at the heart of vocational education reforms across Europe, and Germany’s dual vocational education and training (VET) system is widely recognized as one of the most successful answers.
With the aim of strengthening the vocational education and training system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 18 representatives of education ministries, economy ministries, and chambers of commerce from across the country participated in a study visit to Berlin from 6 to 13 June 2026. The visit was organized within the framework of the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SEDEP), implemented by GIZ.
During the seven-day programme, participants had the opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the functioning of Germany’s dual VET system, with a particular focus on the role of chambers of commerce and crafts as key partners to educational institutions and businesses. Visits to institutions such as BIBB, DIHK, IHK Berlin, ZDH, and TÜV provided a comprehensive understanding of how government, companies, and chambers work together to create a system that equips young people with relevant skills while ensuring businesses have access to a qualified workforce.
The study visit was especially significant because Bosnia and Herzegovina has already begun implementing elements of dual vocational education and training. Rather than copying an existing model, the visit served as an opportunity to exchange experiences and identify practices that can be adapted to the local context.
“We have had an incredibly inspiring week here in Berlin, looking at the German dual system from every angle, especially the crucial role of the private sector and the organizations representing it, such as the chambers. However, our journey does not end here. Bosnia and Herzegovina is already on the path of developing dual vocational education, and together we will continue supporting the private sector in taking a more active role in shaping the VET system according to actual labour market needs,” said Roman Gorowoj, Component Manager for Strengthening VET within GIZ.
One key message resonated throughout all meetings: a successful dual system is impossible without the active engagement of employers. Companies cannot remain passive consumers of what the education system provides; they must become active partners and co-creators of the future workforce.
According to Zoran Josipović, Advisor at the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of Republika Srpska, the next step is to translate these experiences into practical improvements.
“We had the opportunity to learn about training centres, mentoring programmes, incentives for companies, trainees’ rights, and the legal frameworks governing this area. Our task now is to identify which practices can be applied in our own system and to share this knowledge with businesses, educators, and colleagues,” Josipović emphasized.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has already made significant progress in introducing elements of dual education, including paid workplace learning and the training of master trainers, mentors, and coordinators of practical training. The study visit therefore represents an important step towards further strengthening cooperation between the education system and the private sector.
“The study visit to Berlin will help us involve chambers of commerce more strongly in vocational education processes and, consequently, engage the business sector more comprehensively. The greatest beneficiaries of such a model will be businesses themselves, as they will gain access to a skilled workforce aligned with real labour market needs,” said Ahmed Omerović, Minister of Education and Science of Tuzla Canton.
Chambers of commerce also play a crucial role in this process. In Germany, they are among the key pillars of the dual education system, making insights into their work particularly valuable for representatives of chambers from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“For the chambers of commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this was an exceptional opportunity to learn from best practices and translate them into our activities and legislative initiatives. Together with the responsible ministries and with GIZ’s support, I believe we can use the knowledge gained to develop a modern and harmonized vocational education system that will contribute to economic competitiveness and help retain young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Sanela Sabljaković, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Una-Sana Canton.
The study visit brought together representatives of institutions and chambers from Una-Sana Canton, Sarajevo Canton, Tuzla Canton, Zenica-Doboj Canton, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District, ensuring the participation of key stakeholders involved in advancing vocational education and strengthening cooperation between education and the business sector.
The Berlin study visit once again demonstrated that successful vocational education is built on strong partnerships between educational institutions, businesses, and public authorities. Such partnerships provide the foundation upon which Bosnia and Herzegovina can build a more competitive economy, create quality jobs, and offer better opportunities for future generations.
The activity was implemented within the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SEDEP) – Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The programme is co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss Government and implemented by GIZ.
