EAfA Member Spotlight: Economic Chamber of North Macedonia

Creating high-quality apprenticeships is one of the main goals of EAfA. We interviewed Natasha Janevska, Project Manager at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, to learn about the pledge they made to enhance the quality of all the apprenticeships that they deliver. The Chamber tell us about the opportunities they have offered to the EAfA community and how EAfA has helped them to foster collaboration in apprenticeship partnerships across Europe. 

Can you tell us a bit about the pledge you made and which EAfA objectives it relates to? 

Our pledge aims to enhance the quality of the apprenticeships we deliver so that students can apply what they learn in school in real workplace settings and gain experience to become proficient in their future profession. At the same time, through our pledge we aim to develop their soft skills such as responsibility, teamwork, respect, and tolerance. To date, as a Chamber, we have focused on increasing the quantity of companies that take on students for apprenticeships. However, now our focus is on improving the quality of practical training of students. We achieve this in several ways, firstly by providing training and certification to the in-company mentors who guide the students. Secondly, we fulfil the requirements for practical training implementation with new machinery and equipment, and thirdly we continuously update educational and training programmes to keep pace with the new trends in the industry and market. 

To show the success of our pledge, the number of companies has increased from 11 companies at the time of our pledge (2019) to 560 companies with 70% of the total number of students enrolling in vocational education and training. We also assist in programmes aimed at increasing students' mobility to acquire skills in foreign companies. 

How did you first hear about EAfA and why did you decide to submit a pledge? 

We first heard about EAfA from the company EVN Macedonia AD, Skopje, a member of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and the first company from North Macedonia to become a EAfA member. Later on, we learned more about EAfA from its presence at events organised by the European Training Foundation. 

As a Chamber that represents a bridge between education and the business sector, by submitting our pledge we aimed to define goals focused on ensuring quality in learning and training, objectives which we will strive to achieve. Additionally, we aimed to learn from other countries how they contribute to improving the quality of practical training. 

In which fields does the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia offer apprenticeships, and how do you benefit apprentices in certain fields? 

Through the companies, members of the Chamber offer apprenticeships in all fields. It is crucial for us to ensure that companies from various sectors are available, where students from all years of vocational education can carry out practical training for every type of qualification. 

How has EAfA membership helped the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia to facilitate regional collaboration and partnerships across Europe? 

Through membership in EAfA, the Chamber and our member companies participate in various events where knowledge and experiences are exchanged, and new acquaintances are made. Moreover, sharing documents and best practices greatly assists in the implementation of apprenticeship processes. 

What opportunities has the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia taken to contribute to EAfA activities? 

An important benefit for the Chamber and its members is the contacts they establish through networking within the Alliance, as well as contacts within the European Commission that are available to support EAfA members when needed. 

How have you promoted EAfA membership to the stakeholders of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia? 

We promote EAfA membership and highlight the benefits of being a member in the Alliance at our meetings, debates, panel discussions and workshops with companies and institutions. 

Also, the Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia invited a large number of companies to participate in the Regional Conference ‘Inclusion of SMEs in work-based learning’ in Skopje, North Macedonia, (26 September 2019), organised by EAfA. At the same conference, the Chamber signed the pledge to join the EAfA. 

Since submitting a pledge, what activities has the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia undertaken to achieve the EAfA objectives in their pledge? 

For us, as a Chamber, and for our member companies, being a member of such an organisation is a great honour. It allows us to share our experiences with colleagues from EAfA and demonstrate how important the process of quality implementation of practical training is to us. The company EVN Macedonia, a member of both EAfA and the Chamber, took part in EAfA Champions. 

Do you have any standout stories to share about apprentices who has successfully completed an apprenticeship? 

We have many successful stories of apprenticeship implementation from both schools and companies, which we promote on our website, as well as on our portal, PRAKSA. 

One interesting example is Victor Angjelov, a graduating student, who completed an apprenticeship at the INOX RUEN company in Kochani. Upon finishing his education, he was immediately employed by the company. Today, he is the biggest advocate for apprenticeships and is a certified mentor for students undergoing apprenticeship in this company. 

Why should other organisations join EAfA and submit a pledge? 

Every organisation should join EAfA because sharing experiences and documents is crucial in the implementation of processes. Through EAfA, our members have the opportunity to network with other companies and organisations. The pledge, on the other hand, serves as a roadmap indicating where you started, where you aim to grow, and how to progress to achieve the goal. 

Since joining EAfA, the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia has succeeded in enhancing the apprenticeships that they offer, having gained access to support and guidance from EAfA. The Chamber has vastly expanded the network of companies providing apprenticeships through its partnership with EAfA, growing from 11 companies when they first submitted their pledge in 2019 to 560 companies at the present. By making a pledge to EAfA, the Chamber has become part of a network of apprenticeship providers from regions across Europe, which has enabled them to bridge the gap between the education and business sectors. 

Has the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia’s story inspired you to learn more about submitting a EAfA pledge? Find out how you can start your journey to becoming a EAfA member on our EAfA Membership and Pledges webpage.