In an effort to deepen the cooperation between academia and the business sector, and to support the career development of students as future professionals, the University Goce Delchev in Shtip, together with the Council for Promotion of Higher Education and Strategic Research at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, organized the Open and Career Day at UGD. The event took place on the plateau in front of the UGD Rectorate in Shtip and served as a platform for direct communication between students and employers, aimed at fostering future collaboration and professional engagement.

For the second consecutive year, employers had the opportunity to present job and career development prospects to graduating students, while freshmen could learn about practical training opportunities available both during and after their studies. Events like this serve to promote the career paths of future graduates, familiarize them with potential employers, and introduce them to the wide array of opportunities different sectors offer on the labor market. Over 40 companies operating on a national level, as well as employers from the East and South-East regions, connected with UGD students who received first-hand information about career opportunities and emerging trends that are shaping new job roles previously absent from the labor market.

The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Dejan Mirakovski, Rector of the University Goce Delchev in Shtip, who stated that the event offers a combination of opportunities for students to explore their career paths, while potential students can receive more detailed information about academic programs to support them in making informed decisions about their future education. “The university is becoming attractive not only within the region but across the whole country, and many companies are offering scholarships and employment opportunities immediately,” said Rector Mirakovski.

Representing the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Dr. Jelisaveta Georgieva Jovevska, Adviser on Economic Development and Infrastructure in the Office of the Chamber President, emphasized that achieving the Chamber’s three strategic priorities — improved infrastructure, increased exports, and greater investments — is directly tied to the development of human capital capable of creating added value. She highlighted the Chamber's ongoing commitment over the past 20 years to educational reform, especially through the dual education system, which involves the private sector in the delivery of practical education. This process is already producing a workforce tailored to employers’ needs.

Last year, guided by the needs of the private sector, the Economic Chamber initiated consultations with universities to involve the business community in identifying the needs for higher education qualifications, defining the skills students should acquire, and engaging the private sector in delivering practical training. The most recent Analysis of Employer Needs for Higher Education Qualifications, produced by the Council for Promotion of Higher Education and Strategic Research, identified an increase in the number of companies cooperating with higher education institutions. A notable 53% of companies reported collaborations with faculties — especially within the sectors of finance, insurance, manufacturing, construction, and wholesale/retail trade and vehicle repair. Regionally, the strongest potential for collaboration was found in the Skopje, East, Pelagonija, and South-West planning regions.

In terms of qualification needs, the private sector has the greatest demand for: economists (19.2%), IT professionals (14.1%), electrical engineers (11.6%), mechanical engineers (10.6%), followed by lawyers (4%), civil engineers (3%), general engineers (2%), and technologists (2%). When viewed by sector, the highest demand for higher-educated professionals comes from: electrical engineering (31.8%), economics/law/trade (26.3%), mechanical engineering (15.2%), health and social care (8.1%), and construction and geodesy (7.1%).

These insights reaffirm the Chamber’s strong commitment to continuing its work on improving the quality of education through collaborative efforts with curriculum creators, ensuring programs are aligned with current market needs, and incorporating interdisciplinary and transversal skills, IT literacy, and emerging technologies in demand on the labor market.