A launching pad for IT careers in North Macedonia

A launching pad for IT careers in North Macedonia

New Moment intern and Brainster IT Career Fair attendee Dino Antoski works with his mentor

In June, an IT job fair held in Skopje, North Macedonia, supported by the USAID Youth Active Opportunities campaign implemented by IESC, was a resounding success. Online education company Brainster organized the event to help bridge the gap between education and the digital job market. The event not only connected more than 200 university students with 50 leading companies from across the country, but also helped more than 20 young people secure jobs and internships.

Dino Antoski, currently an intern at marketing agency New Moment, reflects on his experience: “I had a great experience at the career fair, it was fun and energizing. It opened many doors for me – I even had an interview on-site. The experience broadened my network and provided valuable insights.” Speaking of his current position, Dino added: “I feel as if I have known my colleagues for years. I have great mentors who give me attention when I need it and support me when I need to learn something new.”

New Moment Executive Director Jelena Ivanovikj praised the efficiency of the job fair: “Brainster Job Fair allows direct contact with job seekers, which greatly shortens the recruitment process and enables us to quickly find solutions to the company’s staffing needs.”

The fair also inspired confidence among attendees. Marija Koteska, a student majoring in Software Engineering and Innovation, reflected on the impact of the fair on herself and her classmates: “We are more confident and can present ourselves better, which will be very helpful for our future interviews. After participating in this fair, I foresee significant personal growth, better job prospects and more internship opportunities for all of us.”

The job fair is expected to directly provide employment opportunities for at least 100 students, and these direct jobs and related initiatives funded by USAID’s Youth Active Opportunities campaign are setting the stage for continued success. By providing essential training and building critical connections, this initiative is improving the career prospects of young people in North Macedonia while also advancing the IT industry.

Many young people from North Macedonia migrate abroad in search of work because they have difficulty finding jobs in high-growth industries such as IT. Through USAID’s Youth Active Opportunities activities, IESC is helping young people gain the skills they need to secure in-demand jobs and develop a skilled workforce that can contribute to innovation and economic growth in North Macedonia.

USAID Youth Active Opportunities is a USAID-funded program implemented by IESC. The program aims to increase the active contribution of North Macedonian youth to society and collective youth leadership to address youth unemployment and low youth civic engagement and to boost economic growth across the country. IESC is implementing the program in partnership with the Skopje Entrepreneurship Center and Executive Development Center and the Youth Education Forum.

This story was produced with support from the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The content of this story is the sole responsibility of IESC and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the U.S. government. This story is part of the Youth Positive Opportunities campaign, funded by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).