Increasing Market Employability – IME

LOCATION

SKOPJE AND WIDER BITOLA REGION, MACEDONIA

TOPIC

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

DURATION

01.04.2014 – 31.12.2017
(45 months)

PROBLEM

Macedonia faces serious labour market challenges, including low labour force participation (57% in 2014, 46% for women); a lack of mobility of workers between sectors; skills mismatching; slow reforms of the training and education system; unresponsive innovation activity by firms; and low labour productivity.

The unemployment rate (28.2% in the second quarter of 2014) gradually fell from an average of 29% in 2013, yet it remains the biggest hurdle for the Macedonian economy. The youth unemployment rate of 51.9% (aged 15-24) in the Republic of Macedonia represents a major cost to the country in economic, political and societal terms. The high youth unemployment rate – among the highest in the world – means a loss of investment in education and training, a reduced tax base and higher social costs. Furthermore, the brain drain is one of the biggest challenges for the economic growth of Macedonia. In the period from 1993 to 2002, an estimated brain-drain of 12,000 to 15,000 young, educated and highly skilled persons occurred in Macedonia.

SOLUTION

Software and IT services and Product Design sub-sectors are supported through the project. IME facilitates change so that software development and product design services by Macedonian companies enjoy large market penetration and increased access to target international markets. Facilitating access to knowledge, skills, technologies and delivery mechanisms for the targeted producers, stimulating demand for locally produced products and services, as well as providing information on access to financing, improved policy dialogue, the sectors will achieve sustainable economic growth and create decent jobs. IME aims at market development that leads to improved access to decent employment and income opportunities for young women and men.

RESULTS

191 new sustainable jobs in software and IT industry and product design were created

157 companies benefited from IME interventions in Creative Industries which brought them 335 new clients incurring a volume of increased income of above CHF 2 million.

36 new business were created

517 individuals were skilled potential employees available on the market through innovative approaches of simulation learning and career counseling

Funding:

CHF 603,189,00

 

Donator

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC

Partners

Swisscontact