The State Institute of Vocational Education (ŠIOV) is a directly managed organisation of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, responsible for the coordination of vocational education and training and adult education in Slovakia. It supports the development of national policies in the field of education, helps to introduce new trends and innovations in vocational education and training and adult education. ŠIOV activities focus on pupils, teaching and vocational staff and employers’ needs.