Albania plans to introduce a unified national examination for recruitment into the public administration, based on the Cambridge testing model. The initiative is part of a broader reform aimed at strengthening merit-based recruitment, professional performance and the quality of public services.
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new plan alongside Minister of Public Administration Adea Pirdeni. He said the current system needs clearer mechanisms to assess employees, reward performance and create opportunities for professional advancement.
Rama stressed that higher salaries and better working conditions alone cannot guarantee a motivated administration. He argued that the system must distinguish employees who deliver outstanding results from those who simply meet minimum requirements.
Under the new scheme, candidates will take a unified national examination to demonstrate their knowledge and professional skills against common standards. The test will be organised in cooperation with the National Education Services Centre, which is adapting the Cambridge examination model.
The examination will use standardised and secure testing procedures, with technology playing a key role in the initial phase.
Candidates who pass will receive a certificate valid for four years. This will allow them to apply for relevant public administration positions through competitive recruitment procedures.
However, passing the examination will not guarantee automatic employment. Instead, it will provide candidates with equal access to the recruitment process and a common basis for competition.
Rama said the initiative aims to create a transparent pathway into public service, allowing young people across Albania to compete on the basis of their knowledge and abilities, rather than personal connections.
The broader reform also seeks to establish a more systematic approach to evaluating employees, recognising professional achievements and promoting those ready to take on greater responsibilities.
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