North Macedonia Minister Durmishi outlines youth employment initiatives

Besar Durmishi, the Minister of Economy and Labor, has emphasized the necessity of bridging the gap between education and the labor market to support young professionals in North Macedonia. Speaking at the ‘NextGen CareerUp’ forum in Tetovo, Durmishi highlighted that creating real opportunities for first-time employment through practical experience, mentorship, and professional development is a primary policy priority.

Under the 2026 Operational Plan, the Ministry aims to support over 10,000 citizens, with a specific focus on unemployed individuals under the age of 29. Key measures include self-employment grants, subsidized employment, professional internships, and training for deficit occupations. The plan specifically targets 1,150 young people for internship programs.

Durmishi also proposed the ‘First Professional Opportunity in Polog’ initiative, which seeks to foster cooperation between universities, private companies, and state institutions to better align academic training with the actual needs of the economy.