Janevska: Perceptions are changing in North Macedonia, vocational schools are no longer seen as being for "weaker students"

Nataša Janevska, Education Adviser in the Office of the President of the Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia, told Kosovo Online that interest among young people in vocational secondary schools is growing in the country, although there is still a significant shortage of skilled tradespeople such as locksmiths, welders, and construction technicians. She emphasized that enrolment policies are becoming increasingly aligned with labour market needs, thanks to stronger cooperation between educational institutions and the business sector.

Janevska said it is encouraging that the number of students enrolling in vocational schools has been steadily increasing year after year.

"In 2019, only 62 percent of students enrolled in vocational schools, while grammar schools filled all available places during the first enrolment round. Today, the situation has changed for many reasons. Around 70 percent of students now enrol in vocational schools during the first enrolment round, whereas grammar schools often have to wait for the second round before filling all available places. This year, of approximately 15,705 students who enrolled in secondary education, around 10,650 chose vocational schools, while about 4,000 enrolled in grammar schools, including arts schools and the sports grammar school," Janevska explained.

Asked whether young people are interested in vocational education, Janevska said that students most often choose schools based on recommendations from their parents, friends, and classmates from primary school.

"However, we have invested significant effort in changing the perception that vocational schools are only for weaker students. Today, high-performing students are also choosing vocational education. The Chamber of Commerce has organised numerous activities to promote vocational schools, particularly programmes with low enrolment, such as those in the wood-processing industry. Attitudes are changing, and that has been extremely important. There are still many professions that, because of long-standing stereotypes, are viewed as suitable only for men," Janevska said.

She noted that a series of initiatives has been implemented to encourage young people to choose schools based on their interests and abilities rather than parental expectations or outdated notions of "male" and "female" occupations.

"Any profession that you enjoy and dedicate yourself to can become a successful career, and it is possible to make a good living from it anywhere. Another important factor is that the government provides scholarships for students enrolling in vocational secondary schools. These scholarships are intended for dual education programmes. The Chamber of Commerce also encourages companies to provide additional financial support to students, independently of the state scholarships, in a manner that complies with the law. We always advise companies that if they provide financial compensation, it should be linked to the student's attendance and participation in practical training within the company," Janevska said.

Speaking about the alignment between labour market needs and enrolment policies, Janevska said that in the past educational institutions had not sufficiently recognised the need to adapt qualifications to labour market demands and employers' requirements, particularly given the rapid pace of technological development, which requires new qualifications, skills, and expertise.

"In recent years, that perception has changed. Educational institutions have realised that they cannot operate separately from the real economy but must respond to labour market needs. Most importantly, vocational education must be flexible and aligned with labour market demands. We now have an active social dialogue. Every year, before the call for applications to vocational secondary schools is published, an analysis is conducted to identify which qualifications are needed. This is followed by regional consultations bringing together companies, local governments, the Chamber of Commerce, and vocational schools to discuss labour market requirements. Where necessary, new qualifications are introduced, while existing ones are revised to meet the needs identified by employers. As a result, enrolment policy is now aligned with labour market needs," Janevska concluded.