Education systems must adapt to the needs of the labor market

Prishtina, November 17, 2020 – Education systems and curricula must be closely related to the labor market as they have a direct impact on the development and advancement of the country’s economic direction, therefore they must be updated regularly. This was said, among other things, during a virtual forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, during which the change in the demands of employers due to the pandemic was addressed. This virtual forum was organized during the Global Entrepreneurship Week, which is organized under the patronage of the Innovation Center Kosovo (ICK).

Shkumbin Ibraimi, Chief Executive Officer of Mercurius Consulting and moderator of the forum, spoke about the main objectives of education, particularly emphasizing the provision of necessary skills needed to penetrate the labor market while adding that the mission of education in Kosovo becomes more important when considering the economy we enjoy today, which is innovation-oriented.

Agron Bajraktari, Chairperson of the Board of the National Qualifications Authority, stressed that the coordination of education with the labor market is important and has a great impact on the joint success of both teachers and future entrepreneurs who need to benefit the knowledge necessary for accessing the market during their schooling years, as well as through internships. Bajraktari further added that the genuine connection between education and the market increases the level of employment of students in the fields for which they are prepared for.

Greta Kamberi, the Recruitment Specialist at Gjirafa, emphasized that adapting market demands to the preparation of students during academic years, in addition to being very necessary, also facilitates the work of businesses as a result of facilitating the process of finding the right talent. Speaking from the aspect of the employer, Kamberi stated that cooperation with universities is very fruitful in finding talent, considering that the labor market in Kosovo is small. She further added that this process depends not only on the university curricula but also on the personal desire of the individual for advancement and preparation during their schooling years.