The overall objectives of the project are to implement the Youth Guarantee effectively thereby, increasing youth employment in the country, advancing VET reform, establishing Regional VET centres and reducing the gap between skills and labour market needs.

Early interventions for young jobseekers

The Youth Guarantee programme improves employment service delivery for young jobseekers. The project undertook capacity assessment and training needs analysis to produce specific recommendations and deliver training to increase the capacity of the Ministry of Labour and the Employment Service Agency (ESA), enabling  them to provide modern, up-to-date and targeted early interventions to increase the employability of young jobseekers.

Live and learn in modern schools and dormitories

The project team is helping the Ministry of Education modernise selected regional vocational training centres. School buildings are being re-roofed and being given energy-efficient façades, new electricity and water systems, fire detection and more.

The schools will serve as business hubs, where businesses can organise training courses and practical exercises, thereby bringing job opportunities much closer to students. Equally important in terms of ensuring the provision of continuous professional development, an educational workshop will be organised for the teachers.

New, well-equipped vocational centres

The project will provide access to fully equipped laboratories for more than 500 students studying chemical-technological processes, agriculture and veterinary science in the Kiro Burnaz regional vocational centre in Kumanovo. Students studying agriculture and veterinary science will be able to obtain hands-on, practical knowledge of animal husbandry .

“The reconstruction of the school and the dormitory means a lot to the teachers, the Municipality of Kumanovo, the entire north-east region and, of course, our present and future students. Our school now has a contemporary look, modern equipment and space for practical learning. It will deliver state-of-the-art teaching that will provide students with the knowledge and skills required today”, says Vesna Trajkovska, Director of Kiro Burnaz.

The reconstruction of the Vancho Pitosheski regional vocational training centre in Ohrid is in full swing. Next year, more than 200 students studying to become skilled hotel and tourism workers, catering staff, waiters and cooks will start the school year in these new premises.