A working meeting was held in the Municipality of Tisno on 20 March 2026, bringing together representatives of the profession, the education system and the local community to discuss amendments and supplements to the existing curriculum for the occupation Shipbuilder (Brodograditelj/Brodograditeljica), with a particular focus on the integration of wooden shipbuilding content. A representative of the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO) also attended the meeting and presented the procedural framework and possibilities for developing curricular changes.
It was emphasised that the Agency has an advisory and expert role in the curriculum development process, while the adoption and implementation of changes depend on the competent ministry, as well as on the interest and initiative of schools and local stakeholders. In this context, the active involvement of shipbuilding professionals in defining the vocational segment of the curriculum was highlighted as essential, particularly in relation to learning outcomes and competencies to be acquired upon completion of education.
It was agreed that a working group will be established, consisting of shipbuilders and relevant stakeholders, which will, in cooperation with ASOO, further elaborate the proposed amendments and supplements to the curriculum. Special attention will be given to the inclusion of wooden shipbuilding, which is currently not adequately represented within the existing qualification framework.
The proposed model builds on the existing three-year vocational programme. The first year would remain common to all students, while specialisation would be introduced in the second and third years, including a pathway focused on wooden shipbuilding. This approach was recognised as functional in terms of programme organisation and enrolment conditions, as well as a potentially more effective way of attracting students.
The discussion also addressed the organisation of teaching within a modular framework, which integrates theoretical and practical content into coherent units and places greater emphasis on work-based learning. In this regard, the need for stronger involvement of employers and shipyards in the educational process was highlighted, alongside the importance of ensuring adequate mentoring capacities.
Participants also identified several challenges, including a shortage of qualified personnel, limited spatial and infrastructural conditions for small-scale shipbuilders, and a declining interest of students in vocational occupations. The need for systematic promotion of the profession and improved alignment between education and labour market needs was emphasised.
It was agreed that ASOO will provide an initial draft of the proposed curricular amendments, which will then be reviewed and further developed by the working group. The aim is to prepare a consolidated proposal by autumn 2026, enabling the timely initiation of the formal adoption procedure and the potential implementation of the programme in the 2027/2028 school year.
The meeting represents an initial step towards a more systematic integration of wooden shipbuilding into the formal education system, based on cooperation between the profession, educational institutions and relevant authorities.