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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Azerbaijan which is in the process of redefining its government structure following the Constitutional amendment in September 2016, making it a presidential republic. In April 2018, the Azerbaijan Parliament adopted the Law on Vocational Education and Training (VET), which defines the principles of state policy in the field of vocational education and provides the legal, organisational, and economic basis for the VET system. In August 2018, Azerbaijan's president signed an order on additional policy measures in the field of social protection of the population. The order provides for the establishment of new social agencies and centres and the improvement of services in the fields of employment, labour, and social protection. Negotiations on the new agreement with the EU were formally concluded in July 2018. The new upcoming agreement will replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and will include four main areas of cooperation: strengthening institutions and good governance; economic development and market opportunities; connectivity, energy efficiency, environment, and climate action; mobility and people-to-people contacts.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Georgia. In late 2017 and mid-2018, Georgia went through two rounds of government restructuring. The government is in the process of developing a new Labour Market Strategy, which is expected to be approved by the end of 2018. It is also discussing the draft Employment Service Act, which is expected to be adopted in 2019. In September 2018, the parliament adopted a new Law on Vocational Education and Training (VET), which is an important milestone for skills development and VET in Georgia. The VET law is a framework law that allows the government to develop the VET system with a lifelong learning perspective, giving it the flexibility to adjust the legal provisions to the needs of the labour market, economic development and learners. The law will also help better connect VET qualifications with higher education qualifications by ending the 'dead-end' perception of the current VET system.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Moldova. The Republic of Moldova's (hereafter Moldova) 2020 National Development Strategy is currently under revision, and a new strategy to 2030 is being developed. The government's main objectives remain unchanged: to reduce poverty through macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth. However, the new indicators will be more precise. A new National Employment Strategy to 2020 was adopted in March 2017 and the new Employment Promotion Law was approved in June 2018, entering into force in February 2019. Moldova is also adjusting its regulatory framework for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a stronger focus on female entrepreneurship and the green economy. The adoption of the Law on Social Entrepreneurship in November 2017 is another important development. In July 2018, the World Bank approved a 30 million dollar (USD) Economic Governance Development Policy Operation for Moldova that will support a wide range of important structural reforms. While Moldova has increased its capacity to absorb external assistance, the sustainability of its reforms needs to be closely monitored.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Egypt. Since 2014, the solid grip of general Al Sisi on Egypt has ensured several years of political stability. In March 2018, Mr Sisi won a second four-year term as president. Local instability is, however, still present with terrorist attacks remaining a problem for the Sinai region and creating a huge decrease in tourism. Egyptian macroeconomic stability is still fragile, but authorities are undertaking wide-ranging structural and policy reforms, focused on improving the business climate and enhancing investments. Reducing unemployment, in particular of young people and women, is the key priority. In July 2018, Egypt's House of Representatives approved a USD 500 million loan from the World Bank Group's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to go towards the five-year Supporting Egypt Education Reform project, which aims to modernise the public school system, enhance the capacity of teachers and administrators, and increase the role of technology in teaching and learning.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Belarus. EU-Belarus cooperation has been evolving since February 2016, when the European Union (EU) lifted most of its sanctions against the country. The EU financed a technical assistance project on employment, and vocational education and training (VET) was launched in spring 2017 and was registered with the government a year later, in April 2018. This now allows the full implementation of activities, and the project will provide a major contribution of expertise to the Belarusian qualifications system, quality assurance of VET, lifelong learning, and the labour market information system.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Lebanon. Following nine years of multiple postponements due to regional crises, security concerns and internal political wrangling, Lebanon held parliamentary elections on 6 May 2018. The results showed that the same political elites continue to dominate Lebanon's political scene, winning the vast majority of seats and confirming the power of Hezbollah. Political instability and uncertainty in Lebanon will remain high. These tensions will deepen Lebanon's long-standing sectarian fault lines and will have a big impact on the politics, security and economic performance of the country. Unfortunately, attempts by the government to revitalise the policymaking process have been repeatedly undermined by political crises and the vested interests of different confessional groups. At the time of writing, the new government is still not in place, and former ministers are acting as caretakers. Negotiations on the Mobility Partnership with the EU have come to a standstill and should restart when the new government is formally in place.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Ukraine. The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, came into force on 1 September 2017. It is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together by promoting deeper political ties and stronger economic links. In line with these developments, the European Training Foundation (ETF) is actively working with the EU to support development of a comprehensive EU assistance programme for vocational education and training (VET) in Ukraine, as part of the 2018-20 EU programming cycle. The design of the first substantial intervention in the VET and skills sector in Ukraine is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Algeria over the time period 2017-2018. Following government reshuffles between May and September 2017, the new prime minister and ministers agreed to boost governmental priorities for growth and development through a relaunched government action plan. The plan gives prominence to the commitment to improve conditions for private sector development in view of job creation. The authorities prioritise adjusting the education and training system accordingly and improving the quality of education. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the progress are needed to ensure more efficient and rapid implementation of the reform plans. Cooperation between Algeria and the European Union (EU) continues to develop. The AFEQ (Adequation Formation Emploi Qualification) project, which aims to bring the education and employment sectors closer to the needs of the labour market, started being implemented in 2018. Algerian authorities are showing strong commitment to modernising and improving the quality and effectiveness of the education, training and employment services. A new planning phase of the EU-Algeria cooperation started in 2018 and priorities are being defined. Stronger integration of skills development and employment, including in sectoral programmes, is one of the objectives of the cooperation and of future interventions.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Israel where a significant effort is being made to increase the attractiveness of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). In 2017, the Ministry of Education in cooperation with all key stakeholders developed the new strategic plan to strengthen professional technological education in Israel from 2017 to 2022. It supports the re-launch of Vocational Education and Training (VET) by increasing the number of students, improving the quality of technological education and ensuring that it is provided in strong cooperation with industry. In August 2018, the Israeli National Qualifications Framework was officially launched, with the primary aim to further improve the relevance, quality and availability of skills for the labour market.

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This report provides an overview of key policy developments in education, training and employment in Tunisia. The municipal elections that took place successfully in May 2018 brought the democratic transition to various regions in Tunisia. The relative stability of the coalition government and an improved security situation is helping to shift priorities towards economic development. Relaunching the economy, while maintaining social stability, is the main concern in Tunisia. The EU remains a key partner and donor for Tunisia. In May 2018, a second round of negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) took place between Tunisia and the EU. Also in 2018, the EU and Tunisia collaborated on a number of new projects.

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