Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy CONNECTING TRAINING WITH NEEDS OF THE LABOUR MARKET Mirjanka Aleksevska, Head of Labour Department Ohrid, April 2012

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy - CONTENT -Participation in the process of designing NQF -Recognition of NQF -Needs of the labour market -Implementation -Expectations

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy NQF AND THE LABOUR MARKET Is there a need for NQF? Yes! Why? - Learning outcomes for the achieved level of knowledge areclearly visible and measurable throughout five descriptors which can be recognized by the employer and his needs can be satisfied with - Selection process will be easier, relevant and according to employer’s needs - Job position description can be defined easily - The job applicant can asses weather his qualifications satisfy the employer’s needs

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy RECOGNITION OF NQF - Presenting of the NQF by representatives of MoLSP and MoES to the members of Economic and Social Council -ESC is tripartite consultative body at national level, consisted of representative representatives of employer's associations, trade unions and Government -ESC standpoint-important link between education and labour market which contributes to better understanding of knowledge and skills by employers and at the same a certain help for describing job positions

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy - Between employers and education institutions there has to be a two-way bond, which means that qualifications should be recognized by the employers which will lead to easier identification of the need for accommodation of the educational programmes to labour market needs RECOGNITION OF NQF

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy NQF AND LABOUR MARKET NEEDS -Labour market needs are defined in strategic documents through certain priorities -National Employment Strategy National Action Plan for employment Operational documents

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy NQF AND LABOUR MARKET NEEDS PRIORITIES OF THE LABOUR MARKET -Improvement of educational system and human resources -Achievement of better security and flexecurity at work -Improvement of business environment and competitiveness -Improvement of labour market mechanisms -Etc.

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy Challenges of educational policies - Quality in education -Research and development in high education - Lack of consistency of the programmes with labour market needs as well as need for increasing participation of social partners in creation of syllabuses - Premature drop-outs in primary and secondary education - Underrepresentation of life long learning - Non developed qualification framework for primary and secondary education - Underdeveloped professional standards NQF AND LABOUR MARKET NEEDS

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy Objectives and priorities of educational policies Priorities and goals of educational policies Need for quality education? The development of the economy should be based on knowledge by raising the level and quality of education that will affect the improvement of competitiveness and will encourage the creation of new jobs as the basis for long-term sustainable development of LM through: -Providing opportunities for acquisition and development of new knowledge, skills and competencies throughout life, -Strong encouragement and support the cooperation between educational institutions and social partners -Further development of NQF in accordance with EQF, among other things, will help the modernization of the training system including lifelong learning accommodated to LM

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy IMPLEMENTATION In General Collective Agreement for Employees in the Public Sector it is contained reference norm for determining the duties and tasks for higher education, in groups of complexity, to consider learning outcomes according the Decree on NQF. - The compliance of previously acquired degrees of higher education levels with NQF levels is shown as well

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy -Proper application of NQF by defining descriptions of job positions that will express, monitor and respond to the needs of LM - Provided education of higher quality, and thus increased employability and competitiveness of LM - All institutions involved in the project to assist in identifying and implementing NQF EXPECTATIONS

Republic of Macedonia Ministry of labour and social policy Thank you for your attention!