SKILLS FOR FUTURE JOBS

Welcome remarks provided by:

• Jeton Shaqiri – Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia
• H.E. Véronique Hulmann – Ambassador of Switzerland to North Macedonia
• Antoni Pesev – Executive Director of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia

Upon providing an overview of the needed skills for the future during the fast-changing job environment, the future trends & vision of youth will be presented in a TED-like setting, covering topics on:

• Future trends and vision of Youth.

Presenters:

• Nikola Velkovski (22) – Co-Founder & CEO of Howitzer
• Hera Gishti (18) – Youth Activist from Albania
• Nina Nikolich –StartUp Macedonia/Swiss Ep

The presentation regarding the above-mentioned topics will be followed by a panel discussion on the future of the labor market in the eyes of Youth & Entrepreneurs. The panelists will have a chance to discuss topics related to government and companies’ responses to youth’s skills and job visions.

Panelists:

• Ognjen Markovic – RCC
• Hera Gishti (18) – Youth Activist from Albania
• Aleksandar Klashninovski – Brainster Next
• Nina Nikolich – StartUp Macedonia/Swiss Ep

The conference participants will also have a chance to join one of four simultaneous workshops and enrich their knowledge on the future of IT/E-commerce, manufacturing, green energy transition or tourism & hospitality.

Moderators of the workshops:

• Boro Jakimovski – Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering – Skopje
• Marta Naumovska Grnarova – General Manager of Zavar Company
• Anastasia Bekish – Environment and Climate Change Manager of the RECONOMY Regional Program
• Clara Garcia Parra – Component Lead in Private Sector Development for RISI Albania

Finally, the first day of the conference will be concluded with a presentation of a research including demand for digital skills and an opportunity for the participants to engage in discussion with the expert.

Presenter:

• Cristina Mereuta – Human Capital Development Expert at European Training Foundation (ETF)

Upon reflecting on how skills can meet future jobs, the second day of the conference will begin with the showcasing of global drivers of change and trends that shape labor markets and skills needs. In addition, the expert on the topic will cover the impact of these changes on transitioning and developing countries and the resulting skill requirements in the future.

Presenter:

• Ummuhan Bardak – Human Capital Development Expert – European Training Foundation (ETF)

This speech will be followed by a set of interactive presentations on the success factors of a VET system and what the labor market needs in the future, as well as the reaction to adult education.

Presenters:

• Dr. Ursula Renold – Deputy head of Dep. Of Management and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich (will join online)
• Bernhard Grämiger – Director, Swiss Federation for Adult Learning

In the second part of the day, two rounds of panel discussions will enable the audience to hear expert considerations on the VET and adult learning systems in the region, get to know hands-on experiences and innovative approaches.

Presenters:

• Merita Çeku – Director & Regional Coordinator at Beetroot Academy Kosovo
• Oliver Streit – Technical Director for Education, Skills & Employment, Education to Employment, NIRAS
• Ivana Georgievska – Vocational Education and Training Expert – E4E/MCEC
• Sven Dominkovic – Project Manager, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Ermira Shyti – Skills, Career Guidance and Intermediation, Team Leader – RISI Albania
• Ejvis Gishti – General Director of the National Agency of VET and Qualifications (NAVETQ)

The second day of the conference will be concluded with a session for showcasing different digital solutions in VET and a presentation from the latest research of a European project on digital disruption to examples of how low-tech digital solutions for learning can look like to new frontiers in immersive technologies.

Presenter:

• Francesca Amenduni, Senior Researcher, SwissFederal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET

Closing remarks provided by:

• Mihajlo Donev, Operational Director for Development, Innovations and Knowledge at ECNM
• Nadica Dimovska, Secondary Education Associate within the Ministry of Education and Science