USAID Initiative Matches Macedonian Grads with Employers
Matching university graduates with professional employment opportunities that require a baccalaureate or higher degree is the goal of a new initiative established by Macedonia’s South East European University (SEEU) with support from USAID.
A seminar gathering representatives from higher education institutions throughout the country, regional universities, and over 25 Macedonian and international companies at SEEU in early March concluded with a general agreement to form an association of universities and employers in Macedonia, to be called PACE (Professional Association of Colleges and Employers). The seminar was facilitated by Dr. C. Randall Powell, a faculty member of Indiana University with more than 40 years’ experience with career development and planning and specific expertise in cultivating a similar association in the US. The Indiana University Higher Education Linkage Program is the USAID implementing partner for the PACE initiative.
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| Students played an important role in organizing Macedonia’s first PACE event |
“The aim of this seminar was to discuss the establishment of an association of national and regional scope that will be charged with developing avenues for communication and education about employment opportunities, and with facilitating the matching of university graduates with professional employment opportunities that require a baccalaureate or higher degree,” said Patricia Rader, USAID/Macedonia Mission Director.
The newly-formed association is considering several proposed activities, which include the development of a website, publication of professional journals and newsletters, a joint career fair to be held in the capital city of Skopje, and regular meetings between potential employers and students at cooperating universities.
Through USAID, the American people have invested more than $450 million in Macedonia since 1993. Presently, more than 25 projects worth $25 million annually are being implemented to support Macedonia’s transition to a free market-based, multi-ethnic democracy, including initiatives to accelerate economic growth, develop democratic institutions, and educate citizens for a modern economy.
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