From May 20 to 23, 2026, the Crafts and Vocational Professions Fair has been taking place at Gradska Otoka in Bihać, organized by the Chamber of Crafts of the Una-Sana Canton. The event has brought together tradition and modern careers, uniting schools, artisans, and small businesses, while strengthening the link between education and the labor market.
The fair’s program has included an official opening ceremony, school promotions, B2B meetings, and a panel discussion dedicated to a systemic approach to further developing dual education in the Una-Sana Canton. The closing has been planned with a Family Day and the official conclusion of the event.
At the invitation of the organizers, the Expert Team of the project to strengthen secondary vocational education and training in Bosnia and Herzegovina has participated in the panel discussion “Development of Dual Education in USC: From Projects to Systems.” Amir Sarajlić, the key expert for public-private dialogue in vocational education, has actively contributed to the panel.
During the discussion, Sarajlić has emphasized several key points:
- Partnership between education and industry for higher-quality vocational training
- Quality of practical teaching and work-based learning: challenges, needs, and possible solutions
- Mentorship and continuous professional development of teachers as essential elements of dual education
- European practices and quality standards in dual education
- Institutionalizing cooperation between schools and businesses: moving from projects to sustainable systems
The Crafts and Vocational Professions Fair in Bihać has shown that Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses significant potential to advance vocational education through stronger collaboration among schools, employers, chambers, and institutions. However, achieving sustainable results has required systematic investment in the capacities of people, institutions, and mechanisms that connect vocational education with labor market needs.
