“My wish is for young people who complete their education and whom we employ to remain in their own country and build their professional careers there,” said Štefan Pavlinjek, businessman and Director of the Roto Group, in the latest episode of the Business Club Plus podcast with Branko Azeski.

Pavlinjek stressed that it is of crucial importance for the knowledge acquired at universities to be applied in practice, in order to create new products and services. He strongly advocates employing young people in his company immediately after they finish their education, as this allows their knowledge to be utilized while also contributing to preventing the emigration of young people abroad. According to him, the state must find ways to retain young people within the country and enable them to build their careers at home, especially given the public investment made in their education.

The average age of employees across the Roto Group’s companies is 36. These are young professionals whom the Group supports through scholarships and continuous investment in their knowledge and professional development.

During the discussion, Pavlinjek also reflected on his origins in Pomurje, a region of Slovenia bordering Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. He noted that for a long time it was the least developed area in Slovenia, but today it is experiencing rapid development thanks to EU funds. He sent a message to Macedonia, a country particularly close to his heart, urging it—as an EU candidate country—to make maximum use of all available European funds, as such funding will be significantly reduced after accession to the EU.

Pavlinjek emphasized that Macedonia represents an important market and regional hub for him, especially due to its diligent workforce and its proximity to the markets of Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, and Kosovo. As President of the Chamber of Craft and Small Businesses of Slovenia, he actively encouraged cooperation with Macedonia and helped a large number of Macedonian products reach markets abroad. He added that he is particularly proud to serve as Honorary Consul of the Republic of North Macedonia in Slovenia.

Asked about three key societal disparities—(1) the relationship between capital and labor, (2) the balance between the working population and dependents, and (3) the continuity in the application of legislations following changes in government—Pavlinjek assessed that the state does not treat the business sector with sufficient seriousness. He underlined that economic development requires funding and investment, and that when the economy grows, the state grows as well. He concluded by emphasizing that economic progress and the retention of the workforce are inextricably linked.