Vocational education and training are becoming more and more recognizable among future high school students, and the qualifications obtained with knowledge and skills through these educational profiles are recognized on the labor market. The fact that the European Commission declared 2023 the European Year of Skills speaks for the importance of vocational education and training, which is in line with the commitment of the United Nations to achieve the goals of sustainable development by 2030.
In order to achieve the goals for sustainable development, within the framework of the YEO 2030 initiative, in Springfield, MD, USA from May 16 to 18, was held the Summit for Global Youth Economic Opportunities, organized by Making Cents Itnernational. This year's agenda focused on the demand for green skills, digital skills and intergenerational programming, mentorship for entrepreneurs and private sector engagement in education.
On the third day titled "Ready for the Global Workforce", a team led by Helvetas held a panel session on "Youth Matter - Make an Informed Career Decision Today for a Decent Job Tomorrow".
At the panel session, the three models developed within the projects implemented by Helvetas in Albania, Macedonia and Nepal were presented, which in different ways affect the improvement of informing young people about the needs of the labor market, directing them towards qualifications which are required by employers.
The participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the Digital Fair model, which was developed within the project "Education for employment in North Macedonia" - E4E@мк, in which the Еconomic Chamber of North Macedonia is a strategic partner. The session moderated by Nadire Selimi, M.Sc., Manager of Knowledge and Learning Management at Helvetas East and Southeast Europe, and Mihajlo Donev, M.Sc., Acting operational director for development, innovation and knowledge at the Еconomic Chamber of North Macedonia, included familiarization with the current prospects in Macedonia; with the perception of young people, on the one hand, but also of the private sector, on the other, and with the model of a Digital Fair intended for ninth-graders, which unites in one place: vocational schools, employers, professionals who present their profession in an authentic way, and young people who, after completing vocational education, are already working and building their professional career.
Within the session, a short Workshop was held where the attendees had the opportunity to get to know each other in more detail through the problem solving method and contribute to the improvement of each of the three presented models.
The Economic Chamber of North Macedonia is actively working on the affirmation of vocational education and training by encouraging the private sector to engage in dual education and work based learning. This year's Digital Fair for Enrollment in Vocational Education, which took place on May 19, 2023, was also organized by the Chamber, which confirms the long-term commitment to greater employability through timely information to young ninth-graders when making the right decision for building the future career.