The commitment to achieving one of the three main priorities of the Economic Chamber — education tailored to the needs of businesses — has been yielding results for two consecutive years. Secondary vocational education is becoming increasingly attractive to ninth-grade students, which is evident from the rising interest in enrolling in vocational schools, while the pressure for enrollment in general high schools (gymnasiums) is decreasing, emphasized Natasha Janevska, M.A., Project Manager at the Economic Chamber, who was a guest on MRTV’s Morning Program.

“Young people are recognizing the benefits of vocational education due to the new attractive qualifications and the opportunities offered to them — acquiring applicable professional skills and employment in the companies where they complete their practical training immediately after finishing their vocational education and training. This was also supported by the campaign ‘Learn Smart – Work Skillfully,’ which was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the VET Center, and supported by the ‘Education for Employment’ (E4E) project,” Janevska pointed out.

Recognizing the benefits for companies from the introduction of dual education — and encouraged by the visible results achieved in secondary vocational education, demonstrated by the growing number of participating companies each year (currently 650 companies involved in dual education and 4,615 companies in work-based learning within vocational education, along with 66 vocational schools engaged in delivering 78 qualifications) — the Chamber has launched activities to systemically introduce dual education in higher education as well.

More information on the state of vocational education and the Chamber’s activities in this area can be found in Natasha Janevska’s guest appearance on MRTV’s Morning Program.