Youth Unemployment in Macedonia

[George S.]

if there are jobs vicsan prefers to give them to his albanian friends.His friends are going to vote the sdsm party back isn'that just dandy!.

[Coolski]

That's true makedonche, IT education in Macedonia at the moment is very popular, and as a result a number of tech entrepreneurs could theoretically start up.

Realistically speaking though, I think special focus could be required to create some ecosystems and legal structures where such companies could start up. A straightforward model which seems to be popping up in all the silicon valley wannabe zones around the world is "tech incubators", where an organisation or government has facilities in the form of offices, board rooms and internet facilities, and start up companies apply for positions in these locations with subsidised rent. Depending on the country there may be some legal experts they can access for free or at a cheaper price, in addition to business coaches.

This is not an easy task. I'm seeing what I call silicon-washing happening all over the world. Cities want to be like the San Fran bay area and they create all these government schemes, and attach the term silicon to it, and expect big things to happen. I guess it wouldn't hurt someone to try such a thing in Macedonia, because as we know, there is a large potential brain-force.

The key is to INSPIRE those brains and make them realise that they can create something that can get them out of their misery and improve their situation for themselves, and the environment for others to be inspired.

I've conducted my education in Australia, and in my experience, nowhere along the line have I had a course in which lateral technical thinking and business were linked in an entrepreneurial way, and i'm in the tech industry. Most graduates are designed to be zombies and work in large organisations from 9-5 and it'd be great to know how to effectively snap people out of this and get them to think outside the box. In Macedonia perhaps it's easier because those large organisations aren't even there to begin with.

I would like to stress the previous point though, that respect should be given to those who work their asses off and create success stories in Macedonia regardless of their level of education, the type of clothes they wear to work or the amount of dirt on their hands.

Everyone there is so focused on over-educating themselves in seek of office jobs, where they'd just twiddle their thumbs and look down on people.

[Risto the Great]

I think it is the rare educated person who shows entrepreneurial flair.

I am sure Macedonian youth need a change in mindset, but the media could help by promoting success stories and the government is the most important key. Naturally the people vote for the government so ultimately it does come back to the people and their desire for change I guess. I don't know, I'm too busy trying to give this life a red hot go!

[makedonche]

That's true makedonche, IT education in Macedonia at the moment is very popular, and as a result a number of tech entrepreneurs could theoretically start up.
Good breeding ground for the educated & entreprenuers
Realistically speaking though, I think special focus could be required to create some ecosystems and legal structures where such companies could start up. A straightforward model which seems to be popping up in all the silicon valley wannabe zones around the world is "tech incubators", where an organisation or government has facilities in the form of offices, board rooms and internet facilities, and start up companies apply for positions in these locations with subsidised rent. Depending on the country there may be some legal experts they can access for free or at a cheaper price, in addition to business coaches.
I can see the value and benefit of such "tech incubators", but I see more value in no government assistance - I say this because in most places around the globe government assistance comes with pre-conditions and I see it as the lazy mans way or the subsidised way and it causes reliance or constant fall back on the governments, not to forget the potential for rorting that comes with the assistance, particularly in ROM, coupled with preventing inginuity/creativity and leaving a feeling or sense of "not being owned" I think it has potential for more damage than good, free independent thinking and actions without subsidy will give birth to true entrepreneurial spirit!
This is not an easy task. I'm seeing what I call silicon-washing happening all over the world. Cities want to be like the San Fran bay area and they create all these government schemes, and attach the term silicon to it, and expect big things to happen. I guess it wouldn't hurt someone to try such a thing in Macedonia, because as we know, there is a large potential brain-force.
I agree, but let them try it off their own backs rather than holding their hands out for assistance ( a poor Macedonian trait for many years)
The key is to INSPIRE those brains and make them realise that they can create something that can get them out of their misery and improve their situation for themselves, and the environment for others to be inspired.
One of the keys is motivation, a dream, a burning desire for a better and richer life, to engage in the "cultural" competitiion Deltchev spoke of.
I've conducted my education in Australia, and in my experience, nowhere along the line have I had a course in which lateral technical thinking and business were linked in an entrepreneurial way, and i'm in the tech industry. Most graduates are designed to be zombies and work in large organisations from 9-5 and it'd be great to know how to effectively snap people out of this and get them to think outside the box. In Macedonia perhaps it's easier because those large organisations aren't even there to begin with.
This is quite true, they have the ability to start new from a position of current technology and methodology without the burden of ageing equipment/staff/ameneties.
I would like to stress the previous point though, that respect should be given to those who work their asses off and create success stories in Macedonia regardless of their level of education, the type of clothes they wear to work or the amount of dirt on their hands.
I second this wholeheartedly, anyone successfull in whatever they do should be recognised and held up as an example.
Everyone there is so focused on over-educating themselves in seek of office jobs, where they'd just twiddle their thumbs and look down on people.

The after effects of the Yugo era to a certain degree I think, or is it that typical ROM trait of doing only what's necessary and expecting to qualify for the EU and then all will be ok, everybody will have jobs and great wages, all it takes is join the EU!

[Coolski]

Yep! It is a very european mindset to rely in the "bigger machine" to maintain stability.

Communist and modern European mindsets are not so different in this regard. People in Europe are programmed to seek comfortable jobs in large companies with good conditions, and coast through life. Macedonia has lost it's previous source of comfort (Yugoslavia), and now it is looking for a new one (the EU). Like all communist systems, the big machine (the EU) will break appart because people are too focused on their benefits and not their contributions.

The more I think about it, inspiring entrepreneurialism in Macedonia may be a key to empowerment in political as well as financial elements of Macedonian society.

[Coolski]

Another point which I think is worth raising is that there is an element of the culture amongst Macedonians in Macedonia that if someone is successful in business, they're partly involved in corruption and possibly criminality. Perhaps some element of this is true due to the level of corruption and potential bureaucratic walls that may exist in doing business. However, perhaps another element of this opinion the avenue to excuse further laziness by those who don't work hard and take risks. That's something that should be tackled too.

[EgejskaMakedonia]

It's interesting to see that the unemployment rate for the entire workforce remained relatively steady during the GFC. It's a very alarming prospect that 1/3 people in the workforce are unable to find a job, yet the Macedonian economy seems to be growing.

The sheer fact that we are a land-locked country minimises the market potential. The percentage of the population below the poverty line is similar to the unemployment rate, with the two probably related.

It's a bit sad really that Macedonia has one of the highest unemployment rates in the word, in amongst various African and war-torn nations. It seems that Macedonia simply doesn't cater for a skilled youth workforce. With increased knowledge of the English language among youths, it wouldn't surprise me if some seek work elsewhere instead of trying to compete in the Macedonian market.

[Coolski]

Of course that's what they're doing. Almost every person of working age in Macedonia has expressed their will and desire to get out of Macedonia and work elsewhere.

They feel like their hands are tied, and that after investing so much time and energy into education, it would be a waste to work somewhere that doesn't use those talents. It's a problem that skilled unemployed people have everywhere.

It would be great to encourage some entrepreneurialism. That would have the potential to build the atmosphere and economy from the ground up.