Zlatanovska Popova: A balance between private life and work is important to new generations

New generations in North Macedonia are changing their thinking when choosing a profession and workplace, because having a balance between private life and work is important to them, and they are increasingly open to considering the possibility of living in their own country while working for employers abroad, career advisor Katerina Zlatanovska Popova said.

“The thinking of young people is changing, and now they are interested in where they will have a better life, but not in order to leave the country, rather a better life overall. Which profession and field will enable them to have a balance between work and private life. This truly means a lot to new generations, it is important to them to have that balance between private life and work,” Zlatanovska Popova told Kosovo Online.

She says it is interesting that young people are increasingly open to considering the possibility of living and working in their own country, but for an employer abroad.

“They are beginning to recognize the possibility and even the benefit of staying here, where their friends and families are, while exploring opportunities and options to work for clients and employers outside the country. New generations have the privilege of considering such possibilities, instead of emigrating – to live in Macedonia, work for companies abroad, and earn higher salaries,” Zlatanovska Popova said.

Asked whether labor market needs are aligned with what schools offer, that is, with educational profiles, she replied that there has been significant progress, noting a positive trend in vocational education, but that much still needs to be done.

“Statistics show that in the past two years vocational education has become increasingly modern or attractive to young people, while general secondary education is declining. This is because vocational education has begun to connect directly with the business sector. Young people who enroll in vocational secondary schools have the opportunity to follow dual education, which means that part of their training takes place with an employer. Many companies provide scholarships for secondary school students, open opportunities for them to work in the company, they receive a scholarship, and at the end, they directly receive a job offer,” Zlatanovska Popova said.