Economic Reform Programme (ERP) in North Macedonia (2020 – 2022)

Area: Education and Skills
Measure 14: Further development of the qualification system
Activities planned in 2020
  • Development of 5 qualifications required by employers and flexible access to their acquisition
  • Development of training programmes and trainings for specific workplaces for further qualification
  • Strengthening the cooperation between higher education institutions and the private sector, as well as secondary vocational schools and the private sector in order to ensure quality practical work for students in companies
  • Adopting legislation for establishment of three Regional VET Centres
Activities planned in 2021
  • Trainings on transversal skills at the request of employers
  • Establishment of a system for Validation of non-formal education for acquiring specific qualifications - recognition of previous learning
  • Refurbishment and adapting premises of 3 VET schools for Regional VET Centres
Activities planned in 2022
  • Establishment of a system for Validation of non-formal education for acquiring specific qualifications - acknowledgment of previous learning
  • Development of 5 qualifications at level V - specialist and master for the needs of the labour market and the opportunity for self-employment in craft activities
  • Investments in human resource capacities for management of the new functions of the three Regional VET Centres, as well as acquirement of equipment
Area: Employment and labour markets
Measure 15: Youth guarantee
Activities planned in 2020
  • Implementation of Youth Guarantee in all 30 employment centres, considering the experience of the implementation in the previous 2 years.
  • A separate Youth Employment Unit will be established within the Department for Active Employment Measures and Services. 
  • In order to strengthen Agency's human capacities for successful implementation of the YG, staff training working on this measure will be organised. In 2020, it is planned that 90 employees will be included in these trainings, conducted by internal trainers (employees who have been involved in the trainings for YG and work on this measure).
  • Modernization of 3 employment centres, in order to improve the physical capacities for working with the jobseekers and the employers.
Activities planned in 2021
  • Implementation of Youth Guarantee in all 30 employment centres, as part of their regular activities.
  • Trainings provided by internal trainers will be organised for 60 employees of Employment Agency working on YG.
  • In order to strengthen the physical capacity of the Agency, 3 Employment Service Centres are planned to be modernised.
Activities planned in 2022
  • Implementation of Youth Guarantee in all 30 employment centres, as part of their regular activities.
  • Trainings will be organised by internal trainers for 60 employees of Employment Agency working on YG.
Area: Social protection and inclusion
Measure 16: Enhancement of financial benefits in the field of social protection
Activities planned in 2020
  • Public campaign for the new laws in order to familiarise end users,
  • Monitoring the implementation of the new Law on Social Protection, especially in the part of targeting the beneficiaries for guaranteed minimum assistance right and introducing new supporting services for labour market entry,
  • Strengthening the capacities of professionals in the Centres for Social Work and Employment Centres in the field of GMA beneficiaries’ activation,
  • Establishment of new social protection services in the direction of strengthening and activation of users, 
  • Expanding the social services network in local communities,
  • Development of a software solution for social protection rights and services and its testing,
  • Conducting trainings for the employees in the social protection system for delivery of services in the local community,
  • Establishment of control mechanisms for functioning of the system.
Activities planned in 2021
  • Implementation of the new software solution for social protection rights and services with data migration included,
  • Increasing the type and scope of services to support activation of GMА beneficiaries,
  • Increasing the availability and type of social protection services,
  • Strengthening the capacities of professionals in the Centres for Social Work and Employment Centres in the field of activation of GMА beneficiaries,
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the new social protection services quality.
Activities planned in 2022
  • Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Centres for Social Work and the Employment Centres,
  • Ensuring availability of social protection services in all municipalities,
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the new social protection services quality.