Understanding Training Pathways into in-Demand IT Technician Occupations in Kosovo

Overview & Synopsis

This report focuses on Kosovo’s current training pathways into in-demand ICT technician occupations highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and actionable policy recommendations. The report maps institutions and regulations governing training, describes formal and non-formal pathways, and evaluates the extent to which current provision meets quantitative and qualitative labor market requirements. The goal is to offer an evidence-based framework for modernizing VET pathways that can prepare learners to access good jobs in high-demand ICT roles. The analysis focuses on three high-demand ICT technician families: ICT operations technicians, ICT user support technicians, and computer network and systems technicians. ICT is a national priority sector supported by the Economic Reform Program, the Smart Specialization Strategy, and the EU Growth Plan. The specific IT occupations were selected based on strong employer demand and accessible entry requirements. These roles offer well-paid jobs and lower formal educational barriers (NQF Levels 4 and 5), making them suitable for accelerated entry via modernized IVET and adult CVET. The analysis presented in this report represents a replicable framework that can be applied to other in-demand occupations where rapid, targeted skills development can help relieve critical labor-market shortages.