In recent months, the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia has been actively committed to strengthening the capacities of the associations operating within the Chamber, with the aim of increasing their involvement in educational processes and contributing to the creation of high-quality and functional vocational education. This activity has been recognized by the project “Education for Employment in North Macedonia – E4E@mk,” whose support has encouraged the implementation of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the Chamber’s mechanisms for addressing educational challenges at the sectoral level. Within the Hospitality and Tourism Association, member companies initiated the organization of events intended to promote the sector and stimulate interest among ninth-grade students, which is expected to contribute to an increase in enrollment in qualifications related to this field.

For this purpose, the Economic Chamber, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science and representatives of the hospitality and tourism sector from the region, organized a visit to the Regional Vocational Education and Training Center for the South-West Region “Vancho Pitosheski” in Ohrid. During the visit, successful examples of professionals working in the hospitality and tourism industry were presented, highlighting the attractiveness of careers in this sector in order to encourage students to enroll in vocational schools specializing in these professions or in regional vocational education and training centers. Over 100 students from seven schools from the Ohrid–Struga region had the opportunity, over the course of two days, to learn about the opportunities offered by this sector, the educational profiles available at the school, and the prospects that vocational education can open for their future. They also heard first-hand experiences from business professionals and managers of hospitality establishments who had built their careers after studying at the Regional Center “Vancho Pitosheski”.

Tourism, as a global activity, ranks among the most powerful generators of development worldwide, bringing multiple benefits—from employment opportunities for the local population to the revenues it generates. On the European tourism market, Macedonia is positioned as a distinct and attractive tourist destination. The country is characterized by significant natural and anthropogenic factors that contribute to the development of tourism and its alternative forms. This sector is among the most promising not only for the south-western region but for the entire country. Ohrid and Struga, as jewels of tourism, are living proof of how the sector creates opportunities, opens doors, and builds careers. The State Secondary School “Vancho Pitosheski” in Ohrid functions as a regional center for vocational education and training. Its main activities include formal education, adult education, research, development and innovation, networking, as well as international cooperation and promotion. The school offers curricula for students in the tourism sector, including three-year vocational programs (third qualification level) for waiter and cook, as well as fourth-level qualifications such as hospitality technician, hotel-restaurant technician, hospitality technician for rural tourism, and hotel-tourism technician. The school also operates a student dormitory, which includes a hotel and restaurant section with a kitchen, where students are provided with free accommodation, three meals per day, and 24-hour supervision and support services.

At the Regional Center, students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies through modern teaching methods and well-organized practical training, which is conducted and continuously upgraded in general and specialized classrooms, laboratories, and workshops equipped with modern equipment and devices.

The Center is also part of the “Learning from the Best” project under the Erasmus program, which enables students to undertake practical training in some of the most renowned hotel companies in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and Slovenia. Students from the Regional Center also participate in events of various types and achieve significant success in competitions across different fields organized at the local, regional, and international levels.

However, it must be acknowledged that the sector faces a significant challenge. Despite its considerable potential, young people’s interest in enrolling in vocational programs within this field remains below the desired level. For this reason, the two-day meetings organized at the Regional Center—attended by ninth-grade students from the region—focused on the promotion and affirmation of this important sector. The aim of these events was to present the diversity and dynamic nature of the hospitality and tourism industry, break existing stereotypes, and promote real success stories of individuals who have built impressive careers in the sector through dedication, knowledge, and hard work. A significant contribution in this regard was made by Tosho Chochoroski, General Manager of Hotel “Sileks”; Krste Blazheski, President of HOTAM and owner of Hotel “Drim”; as well as a former student of the center who has built a successful career in one of Ohrid’s renowned restaurants.

Employers in the sector emphasize the need to recruit professionally trained and competent labor. In many hospitality establishments, various positions are currently filled by staff with inadequate or unrelated educational backgrounds. An additional challenge is that a portion of the existing workforce leaves the country, resulting in a shortage of labor within the sector. According to the school’s principal, this situation can be addressed only through legislative changes and the introduction of a requirement that at least 50% of employees in the sector possess appropriate vocational qualifications. As highlighted by the school’s professors, the future goal is to achieve standards of excellence by developing the workforce needed by the real sector—graduates equipped with the necessary knowledge, competencies, and skills—while ensuring both satisfied students and a thriving industry in which they can build their careers.