Skills Gap Fuels Youth Unemployment in Macedonia
A significant skills gap is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to challenges within several key sectors, particularly industry, encompassing mining, education, and manufacturing. Experts are noting a shortage of skilled labor requiring practical knowledge, technical expertise, and hands-on training – elements considered indispensable for professional development. Recent data released on June 5, 2026, by the European Training Foundation highlights a concerning trend.
Youth unemployment in Macedonia is projected to reach 29% in 2024, with 22.6% of individuals aged 18 and over currently employed or undergoing training. These figures underscore the need for a more robust and coordinated approach. The persistent high unemployment rate among young people – specifically 22.6% – emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue.
There is a growing demand for workers within these industries, and the current supply of qualified individuals is not meeting that need. Moving forward, increased, systematic, and long-term collaboration between educational institutions and the real sector is considered crucial. This cooperation is seen as essential to ensure that training programs align with the evolving demands of industry and to provide more opportunities for young people entering the workforce.
Topics: #industry #more #there
