Regional Seminar in Turin on National and Regional Approaches to Occupational and Qualification Standards in Central Asia Concludes

The seminar, organized within the framework of the European Union’s “DARYA” program, served as an important platform for improving the professional standards system, coordinating methodological approaches, and strengthening regional integration for Central Asian countries.

During the event, the results of pilot initiatives under the “DARYA” project, the effectiveness of regional approaches, advanced European experience, and future strategic cooperation directions were thoroughly discussed.

Additionally, representatives of the European Training Foundation (ETF) and invited experts from France and Italy shared their experience in developing, approving, implementing, and monitoring professional and qualification standards.

Key areas discussed at the seminar:

• Existing experience in developing professional standards in Central Asian countries;

• Methodological conclusions and improvement directions formed during the pilot phase of the “DARYA” project;

• Development and integration of open electronic information systems for qualifications;

• Strengthening cooperation mechanisms between employers, educational institutions, and qualification assessment centers;

• Updating and modernizing curricula in accordance with professional standards.

Main conclusions of the seminar:

• The need to develop a unified methodological approach, which is crucial for harmonizing regional standards.

• Full digitalization of the qualification system, creation of digital registries, and open databases were identified as priority tasks.

• Enhancing labor mobility and mutual recognition of qualifications through regional cooperation is of strategic importance for Central Asian countries.

• To modernize the education process, it is necessary to develop curricula based on professional standards and implement them in practice.

Priority tasks for the future:

• Developing a unified regional methodological guide for Central Asian countries;

• Continuing the creation of professional standards in new sectors aligned with market economy requirements;

• Improving the functioning of qualification assessment centers and introducing pilot regional assessment mechanisms;

• Forming a competitive qualifications system and ensuring sustainable development based on labor market needs.

It should be emphasized that the “DARYA” project is becoming a large-scale strategic platform for creating a modern, transparent, and competitive qualifications system in Central Asian countries, expanding regional cooperation, and aligning the system with international standards.

Information Service of the Institute for the Development of the National Qualifications System