Education for Employment
The project addresses the high youth unemployment rate in North Macedonia (25%), caused by the mismatch between the skills provided by the education system and those required by the economy. The final phase will further strengthen the quality of the new dual school- and company-based vocational education and training system and the role of the private sector in its governance, ensuring sustainability and scale.
| Pays/région | Thème | Période | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Macédoine du Nord |
Développement économique inclusif Education
Formation professionnelle
Développement de petites et moyennes entreprises Politique d'éducation |
01.07.2026
- 30.06.2029 |
CHF 2’500’000
|
- -Companies have gender-sensitive and improved processes and tools for VET
- Public and private sector better coordinate at the national, local and regional level
- The private sector is capable and incentivized to engage in evidence-based VET governance and implementation
- Innovative and gender-sensitive Industry Solutions for future proofing the workforce are applied and scaled with relevant champion companies.
- Nationwide dual VET introduced in 2021 and legally embedded (VET Law 2025; Education Strategy 2026–2032).
- New VET financing model introduced, linking funding to market relevance (2025).
- Private-sector engagement strengthened: 1,000+ companies investing in dual VET and upskilling.
- 21,000+ youth trained. VET attractiveness increased, including girls’ participation from 26% to 42%.
- HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation
- Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and the Economic Chamber as a strategic partner
-
Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE EDUCATION
INDUSTRIES MANUFACTURIERES
EDUCATION
Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE Formation professionnelle
Développement des Petites et moyennes entreprises (PME)
Politique de l’éducation et gestion administrative
Thème transversal Le projet contribue à améliorer le fonctionnement de l'organisation partenaire
Type d'aide Mandat avec gestion de fonds
Numéro de projet 7F08792
| Contexte | North Macedonia’s slow growth and still-high youth unemployment contrast with a deepening shortage of skilled labour caused by mismatch between the available and demanded skills, emigration and ageing. VET is high on the government agenda, yet governance challenges persist: limited private-sector co-steering, weak evidence-based decision-making and uneven involvement of the private sector throughout the country. Dual VET only partly meets rapidly evolving skill needs, prompting firms to expand industry-led training. This pushes companies to invest more in workforce development. |
| Objectifs | Young women and men gain decent employment because of market-oriented skills. |
| Groupes cibles | The target groups include the key system actors: 1) the private sector, including economic chambers, branch associations and companies engaged in VET, and 2) the educational institutions including the Ministry of Education and Science, the VET Development Centre, VET Schools, Regional VET Centres, and municipalities being responsible for the implementation of VET. The end beneficiaries are youth attending dual VET, with focus on girls as less represented in this field. |
| Effets à moyen terme |
Outcome 1 (Quality): Young women and men acquire market-relevant skills through better quality work-based learning. Outcome 2 (Governance): The key public and private sector actors at the national and local level increasingly co-steer formal VET governance. Outcome 3 (Industry Solutions): Companies reduce labour shortages by adopting effective industry-led upskilling solutions, contributing to improved employment opportunities. |
| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus: Principaux résultats antérieurs: |
| Direction/office fédéral responsable |
DDC |
| Partenaire de projet |
Partenaire contractuel Organisation suisse à but non lucratif |
| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs | EU Delegation (Reform Agenda 2024-2027), KfW (Regional Challenge Fund) |
| Budget | Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF 2’500’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF 400’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF 10’243’509 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 14’714’000 |
| Phases du projet | Phase 3 01.07.2026 - 30.06.2029 (Phase en cours) Phase 2 01.07.2022 - 30.06.2026 (Completed) Phase 1 01.09.2016 - 31.12.2022 (Completed) |
