VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The vocational education system covers primary and continuing vocational education and orientation. Vocational training schools provide both qualification training and basic or secondary education. The duration of the programmes can be either two or three years depending on whether it is intended to provide basic or secondary education or whether it is adapted to persons with special needs. The duration of studies for students who have already obtained secondary education is 1 to 1.5 years. Requirements for vocational training programmes are set out by the General Requirements and Standards for Vocational Training of the Ministry of Education and Science. Vocational training programmes are developed by vocational training providers in cooperation with employers.

The training programme consists of two parts. The first part is common for all schools in the country and defines fields of professional activities, competencies, teaching goals, and assessment provisions. The second part is optional and covers teaching methods, subject programmes, teaching aids, etc. The programme must include the subjects or modules of Entrepreneurship, Civil Protection, Ecology, Information Technologies, and Foreign Language for Specific Purposes. 
60-70 percent of the total time allocated to vocational subjects should be devoted to practical training. Usually, practical training is conducted at the school or in a company. Training can also be performed under exchange programmes.

The final qualification assessment is separated from teaching; pupils’ training is assessed by social partners.

Having completed the vocational training programme and passed examinations, pupils obtain vocational qualification. Pupils who have obtained secondary education are encouraged to continue their studies in colleges or universities. Successful graduates as well as graduates who have experience of work according to their qualification obtained receive additional points when entering higher education schools.

Primary vocational training is financed through the state budget. Vocational training providers receive financing by applying the methodology of the pupil’s voucher, i.e. calculation of teaching funds per pupil. The same principle is applied when allocating utility funds. Most of vocational school pupils receive grants. Continuing education is usually conducted through the funds of companies, institutions, the Employment Fund, other funds, or personal funds of pupils.

Vocational Education

• Vocational education and training in Lithuania. 
• Vocational education and training system development in 2000-2011. 
  
• Vocational education and training: European priorities and their implamentation in Lithuania. 
  
• Lithuania. VET in Europe - Country Report. 
  
• Law on Vocational Education in Lithuania. 
  
• Vocational guidance