A Launchpad for IT Careers in North Macedonia
New Moment intern and Brainster IT job fair attendee Dino Antoski collaborating with his mentor
In June, an IT job fair held in Skopje, North Macedonia, proved to be a tangible success, thanks to support from the IESC-implemented USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity. Online education company Brainster organized the event to help bridge the gap between education and the digital job market. This event not only connected more than 200 university students with 50 leading companies from across the country, but also resulted in more than 20 young people securing jobs and internships.
Dino Antoski, now an intern at marketing agency New Moment, reflected on his experience: “I had a great experience at the fair, it was interesting and dynamic. It opened numerous doors for me – I even had an interview on the spot. The experience broadened my network and provided invaluable insights.” Describing his current role, Dino added, “I feel as if I have known my colleagues for years. I have excellent mentors who give me attention when needed and support me when I need to learn something new.”
Jelena Ivanovikj, executive director at New Moment, praised the efficiency of the fair: “The Brainster Job Fair recruitment allows direct contact with candidates, which significantly shortens the recruitment process and allows us to come up with swift solutions to our company’s staffing needs.”
The fair also inspired confidence among attendees. Software engineering and innovations student Marija Koteska reflected on the event’s impact on herself and her peers: “We are more self-confident, and we can present ourselves better, which can help us a lot in future interviews. I expect significant personal growth, enhanced employment prospects, and increased internship opportunities for all of us after attending this fair.”
With expectations that at least 100 students will secure employment as a direct result of this event and related initiatives funded by the grant from USAID’s Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity, the job fair has set the stage for ongoing success. By providing essential training and facilitating crucial connections, this initiative is boosting the career prospects of young people in North Macedonia while driving growth in the IT sector.
Many young people are migrating from North Macedonia to find work, as they have trouble finding jobs in high-growth sectors like IT. Through the USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity, IESC is helping equip youth with the skills they need to access in-demand jobs and fostering a skilled workforce that contributes to innovation and economic growth in North Macedonia.
USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities is a USAID-funded program implemented by IESC. It aims to increase positive youth contributions to society and collective youth leadership across North Macedonia to combat youth unemployment and limited youth civic engagement and spur economic growth across the country. IESC is implementing the program in partnership with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development Hub Skopje and Youth Educational Forum.
This story is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of IESC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. This story is part of the Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity, funded by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
