ERI SEE Director visited WorldSkills Croatia 2026 in Zagreb for regional cooperation and project development meetings
Director of the ERI SEE Secretariat, Sandra Brkanović, participated in several working meetings in Zagreb during her visit from 5 to 8 May 2026, held in parallel with WorldSkills Croatia 2026, one of the leading vocational education and skills events in Southeast Europe. Organized by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO), the competition gathered more than 350 competitors from over 200 vocational schools competing in 44 disciplines, while attracting around 12,000 visitors over the course of three days.
The visit to Zagreb was organized as part of ERI SEE’s strategic activities and ongoing efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, policy dialogue and partnerships in vocational education and training, higher education and skills development, in line with the objectives outlined in the ERI SEE Work Programme 2026. Particular focus was placed on the development of new regional project initiatives, strengthening cooperation with international and regional partners, supporting policy dialogue and contributing to activities related to modernization of VET, quality assurance, skills development, work-based learning, adult learning and alignment with European education and training processes. The meetings in Zagreb also contributed to ERI SEE’s broader strategic orientation for 2026, which includes expanding regional networks, developing new project partnerships and identifying potential donors and funding opportunities for future regional initiatives.
WorldSkills Croatia 2026 provided an important opportunity for meetings with regional and international partners, institutions and stakeholders active in the fields of education, training and skills development. During the event, the Director of the ERI SEE Secretariat also attended the panel discussion “From Classroom to Industry: Skills and Technologies for the Future of Work”, which focused on labour market needs, future skills, digitalisation and the impact of new technologies on education and employment. The panel brought together representatives of education institutions, employers and human resources experts to discuss the transition from education to the world of work, the role of lifelong learning, and stronger links between education systems and labour market needs.
As part of these activities, the Director of the ERI SEE Secretariat initiated and held a working meeting with Stefan Praschl, Head of International Cooperations at Skills Austria, and Jürgen Kraft, CEO of Skills Austria and Official Delegate for EuroSkills, as well as with Nino Buić, Assistant Director for European Affairs, International Cooperation and Projects at the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO) and Official Delegate for Croatia in WorldSkills Europe. The meeting focused on further developing the idea of a future regional skills competition involving ERI SEE member economies, envisioned as a platform connecting national skills competitions in the SEE countries with WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills International concept. Discussions also addressed potential partnership models, possible donors and funding opportunities, as well as the long-term sustainability and regional ownership of the initiative.
A separate meeting was held with Mile Živčić, Director of the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO), attended by Nino Buić, focusing on possibilities for strengthening cooperation between ASOO and ERI SEE through policy dialogue, regional projects, and activities within the SEE VET Net network coordinated by ERI SEE. Discussions particularly focused on vocational education reform, quality and relevance of VET, skills development, adult learning and regional cooperation mechanisms. These priorities are also reflected in ERI SEE’s strategic orientation for 2026, especially in the areas of modernization of VET, support to regional networks and project development.
The Director of the ERI SEE Secretariat also initiated a meeting with Gregor Mohorčič, Director of the Centre for Vocational Education and Training of the Republic of Slovenia (CPI). The discussion focused on possibilities for stronger involvement of Slovenia in ERI SEE regional activities, particularly in the areas of vocational education and training and quality assurance, as well as future cooperation through regional initiatives, networks and project activities. Discussions also addressed the possible involvement of CPI Slovenia in SEE VET Net activities in the coming period, including the potential formalisation of its participation within the initiative.
Additional meetings were held with representatives of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, Loredana Maravić, member of the ERI SEE Governing Board, and Ksenija Rukavina, National Contact Point for Croatia within ERI SEE. Discussions focused on Croatia’s continued role and participation within ERI SEE activities and regional initiatives, taking into account Croatia’s longstanding involvement in ERI SEE since its establishment. The meetings highlighted the importance of Croatia’s experience and expertise in supporting regional cooperation processes, particularly in the areas of vocational education, higher education and quality assurance. Particular attention was given to activities in the field of higher education, which represents one of the thematic priorities of ERI SEE for the upcoming period and will be further developed in cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) within the framework of the MAP REA initiative. Discussions additionally addressed quality assurance in higher education and Croatia’s experience in aligning with ESG standards and broader European higher education frameworks, as well as potential project initiatives and future cooperation within ERI SEE activities. In addition to higher education, particular emphasis was placed on vocational education and training, where Croatia’s experience and active role in regional cooperation were recognized as especially valuable, including through strengthened cooperation with ASOO in future regional initiatives and activities.
The meetings held in Zagreb provided a valuable opportunity for intensive discussions with regional and international partners, contributing to the further strengthening of cooperation, development of new initiatives and identification of future joint activities within the ERI SEE framework.
