Vocational education and training (VET) system plays a central role in preparing young people for work and in developing the skills of adults. Strategic management in VET and adult education institutions is one of the key components for success and effectiveness, and for achieving good results.

For these reasons, the team of the EU-funded project for “Enhancing lifelong learning” organised a two seminars on the topic “Strategic management skills and Monitoring and evaluation in Lifelong learning” that took place in the National Park Pelister, on the 20-21 April 2017, and in Skopje on the 4 May 2017.

The seminars was attended by representatives of primary schools, VET schools, workers’ universities, the VET Centre, local crafts and commerce associations from the municipalities of Bitola, Resen Novaci, Mogila, Demir Hisar, Krusevo, Krivogastani, Dolneni, Prilep, Skopje, Kumanovo and Kratovo, and was conducted by the expert in the field, Professor Miomir Despotovic from the University of Belgrade and Ms. Mariana Matache, project’s key expert for adult education.

The purpose of the seminar was to enhance participant’s skills and competencies in strategic management, but also to allow for exchange of experience and examples of good practice in strategic management in educational institutions.

In an active and participative learning environment, the attendees of the seminar had a chance to discuss the models and methods of managing VET and adult educational organisations, the key manager’s duties and responsibilities, how to develop strategic plans, organise, lead and control.  Last but not least, the participants have learned how to apply different methods and techniques of monitoring and evaluation in their everyday work.

In conclusion, strategic management is a process of research and exploration of both the internal and external environments, meeting the needs of the learners, the needs of the labour market, and continually improving the quality of the learning processes.