Belgrade, October 2013 – The USAID Sustainable Local Development Project, in partnership with 32 local governments, today launched a workforce development program that will help companies hire and train new employees, with hiring and training costs paid by the USAID project.  

The Youth On-The-Job Training Programs will benefit private companies by helping employers in the manufacturing and service sectors quickly and easily find qualified staff, reducing the time and cost it takes for the selection and recruitment of employees.  It will help youth by highlighting the needs of businesses and providing training, a costly component for employers.

The program will select personnel in accordance with the each company's specific needs.  Hiring and training will be administered by the USAID Sustainable Local Development Project on behalf of the employer.  

During training, the USAID project will provide candidates with 60 percent of the minimum national gross salary.  Training is for persons below the age of 30 with at least a high-school education.

Companies with five or more employees, with its head office or a branch office registered in the following municipalities, are eligible to apply and participate in the program: Beocin, Bujanovac Cacak, Doljevac, Gadžin Han, Gornji Milanovac, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Kraljevo, Leskovac, Merosina, Nova Varos, Novi Becej, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad, Nis, Presevo, Priboj, Raska, Sjenica, Sombor, Sremski Karlovci, Subotica,  Temerin,  Tutin, Uzice, Vladicin Han, Vranje, Vrnjacka Banja, Zlatibor and Zrenjanin.

The USAID Sustainable Local Development Project will select participating employers in consultation with local partner governments.  Preference will be given to companies planning to hire new employees within six months of completion of the training program.

The Youth On-The-Job Training Programs will start in February and March 2014.

Additional information and application forms can be found at the USAID Sustainable Local Development Project website: www.lokalnirazvoj.rs.  Applications will be accepted until November 17, 2013.