The Municipality of Bitola has established a Local Economic and Social Council (LESC), with support from the USAID Youth Employability Skills (YES) Network.  The LESC will serve as an advisory body to the municipality on issues such as employment of youth and the link between labor market needs as defined by employers and the skills developed by the youth of Macedonia during their formal education.

“Our aim is to help youth gain skills that will make them more competitive on the current labor market,” said USAID Mission Director Robert Wuertz.  “One of the first activities of the Council is to use its members’ local knowledge to figure out what workers will be needed by local employers, and what skills and abilities these workers should have.  Then they will put together a plan that will enable workers to obtain those skills.”    

The USAID YES Network has already helped to create LESCs in Strumica, Stip and Tetovo.  These Councils will be instrumental in establishing and maintaining a public-private dialogue between all community stakeholders interested in local economic activity and youth employment issues. In addition to municipal representatives, LESC members will include representatives of employers, workers, employment service agencies, the education sector as well as civil society.

NOTES TO EDITORS:   
The USAID YES Network Project is implemented by the Education Development Center, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing learning and promoting health. The Project collaborates with Employment Service Agencies, Vocational Education and Training schools, and youth-focused non-governmental organizations, to help final-year students and unemployed youth through career guidance, work readiness skills trainings, and work-based learning experiences such as internships, practical work and entrepreneurial activities. All are designed to help young people enter into the world of rewarding and productive work.

The American people, through USAID, have invested over $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov and USAID FB page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia