Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Montenegrin Employers Federation (UPCG) has raised concerns over controversial provisions in the new rulebook on national vocational qualifications, proposing a moratorium on its implementation to enable additional consultations with the business sector.

A meeting with licensed adult educators, hosted today by the UPCG, focused on the adoption of the new Rulebook on the Method and Procedure for Assessing Knowledge, Skills, and Competences in the Process of Acquiring a National Vocational Qualification, which came into force on 2 November.

“It was noted at the meeting that the new rulebook includes a number of provisions that constitute significant business barriers for companies engaged in organizing adult education that, in accordance with legal regulations, implement adult education curricula leading to the acquisition of national vocational qualifications, key skills, competences, and knowledge in different fields,” UPCG stated in a press release.

The meeting concluded that while the business community supports the modernization of the vocational qualification system and the improvement of education quality, it believes that a transitional period and additional consultations are necessary for the successful implementation of the rulebook.

“Therefore, it was agreed that the implementation of this rulebook should be postponed, i.e. a moratorium should be introduced, to allow for further consultations and harmonization with the business sector,” the press release reads

It was also concluded that it is necessary to form a working group comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, the Examination Centre, and the business community, in order to jointly consider the disputed issues and define solutions that will contribute to the effective and sustainable implementation of the regulation.

“The participants of the meeting agreed to officially address the Ministry, providing a detailed explanation of the key problems and concrete proposals for their resolution,” the press release concluded.