Strengthening the secondary vocational education system through digitalization requires coordinated and continuous efforts from both the education and business sectors, was the key message of the Conference “The Role of Digitalization in the Development of Secondary Vocational Education in Canton Sarajevo,” held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Canton Sarajevo. The event brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, the relevant ministry, and the business and education sectors, and also marked the final activity of the project “Strengthening Dual-Organized Secondary Vocational Education with a Focus on Digitalization,” which the Chamber successfully implemented with financial support from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ) and the Government of Switzerland.
In the opening part of the conference, attendees were addressed by representatives of governments, embassies, and the Chamber, emphasizing the importance of vocational education and digital transformation in education.
It was highlighted that Germany and Switzerland support vocational education and training in Bosnia and Herzegovina as an important factor for economic development, competitiveness, and employment. Project results show that close cooperation among key stakeholders, along with the active role of chambers of commerce, directly contributes to the implementation of the EU Reform Agenda and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession process. It was emphasized that investing in skills and people represents an investment in the country’s sustainable European future.
The Minister of Education of Canton Sarajevo, Naida Hota-Muminović, expressed satisfaction with the conference, highlighting the long-standing partnership between education and the business sector in improving and modernizing secondary vocational education.
“This process does not only involve investment in equipment and infrastructure, but also a change in the approach to learning, where we focus on the skills students should possess upon completing their education. At the same time, we are working on amendments to curricula, modernization of school facilities, and strengthening cooperation with industry in order to provide students with real learning experiences and better preparation for the labor market. It is important to understand that education does not end with secondary school, but continues throughout life through further learning and professional development,” emphasized Minister Hota-Muminović.
The Chamber of Commerce of Canton Sarajevo successfully implemented the project “Strengthening Dual-Organized Secondary Vocational Education with a Focus on Digitalization” with support from the German and Swiss governments.
“In its work, the Chamber actively promotes the values of vocational education and training and encourages companies to provide placements for the practical part of students’ training, as well as employment opportunities for young people after graduation. This project represents an important step toward improving the education system in Canton Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the context of the labor market and digital transformation in education,” said Chamber President Muamer Mahmutović.
During the project, working groups developed catalogs of digital competencies for the professions of automotive mechatronics technicians and upholsterers/decorators, and details and recommendations were presented by Adin Begić, coordination expert. The importance of developing interprofessional digital competencies was presented by school representatives and teachers, while Lidija Magazinović from Dekorri d.o.o. and Jovica Pantović from Hyundai Auto BH shared experiences in implementing practical training as an important segment of youth education.
Professor Ivana Zečević presented the results of the TRACER study in Canton Sarajevo, showing that employers value students’ motivation, work ethic, and attitudes, but that there is still an imbalance between theoretical and practical competencies.
Representatives of secondary vocational schools, Professor Mirza Hamzabegović and Professor Medina Dedić, spoke about the importance of developing digital competencies, while Professor Matea Bevrnja presented an application for the upholsterer-decorator profession. Olivera Hasković, Head of the Department for Secondary Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education of Canton Sarajevo, addressed key provisions of the new draft Law on Dual Education and plans for revising and developing curricula based on learning outcomes and occupational standards.
Certificates were ceremonially awarded to mentors of practical training who successfully completed the Mentorship Training Program for mentors in companies.
Mensur Bektić from Atelier Jewelry Bektić praised the mentor training he attended at the Chamber, stating that it was a good opportunity for future mentors to develop skills useful for transferring knowledge to younger generations, helping preserve traditional crafts for which Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are well known.
The conference concluded that although progress has been made, there is still a need for better understanding of the importance of vocational education and training, as well as continuous cooperation among all relevant stakeholders.
This activity is implemented within the program “Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (SEDEP), which supports employability through the digital and green transformation of the economy. The area “Strengthening Secondary Vocational Education” ensures a qualified workforce and is carried out with financial support from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ) and the Government of Switzerland through the SEDEP program implemented by GIZ.
