世界发展银行-Serbia_rsquo_s-New-Growth-Agenda-_-Job-and-Training-Ready_47页_3mb

Summary of Serbia's New Growth Agenda: Job and Training-Ready

Core Content

Serbia is currently experiencing a slower rate of economic growth compared to its potential, with an annual growth rate of 3-4 percent. To address this, the document outlines a comprehensive strategy for modernizing the education and training system to better align with the needs of the labor market and to prepare the workforce for a more productive and prosperous future.

Main Viewpoints

• Economic Growth and Productivity: Serbia needs to enhance productivity to approach the living standards of its Western European neighbors. This requires a workforce equipped with skills that can adapt to the evolving labor market.
• Skills Mismatch: A significant mismatch exists between the skills provided by educational institutions and the skills demanded by employers. Employers report that a lack of relevant skills is the main obstacle to hiring.
• Education System Challenges: While Serbia has a relatively high enrollment rate in primary and secondary education, the quality and relevance of the curriculum are insufficient. There is also a disparity in skills among different population groups, especially in socio-emotional and cognitive development.
• Demographic Pressures: Serbia faces a rapid population decline, with an annual rate of 0.5 percent. By 2050, the population is expected to shrink by 17 percent, making it essential to maximize the potential of the shrinking population through improved education and training.
• Importance of Socio-Emotional Skills: These skills, such as teamwork, resilience, and communication, are increasingly valued by employers and are critical for job readiness and success in the modern economy.
• Sectoral Shifts: The labor market is shifting towards more cognitive and less manual tasks, especially in sectors like IT, agriculture, and services. This trend is similar to that of other emerging economies but not of advanced ones.
• Equity in Education: There are significant disparities in educational attainment and skills between different socioeconomic groups, genders, and urban vs. rural populations. The Roma population, in particular, faces severe challenges in accessing quality education and employment opportunities.

Key Information

1. Modernizing General Education

• Curriculum and Quality: The curriculum in upper primary and secondary education needs to be upgraded to focus on quality and socio-emotional development.
• School Network Optimization: The school network should be optimized to work more efficiently with municipalities, reducing inefficiencies and improving access.

2. Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Market Relevance: VET profiles must be continuously updated through collaboration with labor market actors such as chambers of commerce and the Ministry of Labor.
• Employer Engagement: Employers should be involved in the design and delivery of VET programs to ensure they meet current and future labor market needs.

3. Higher Education

• Accountability and Strategic Relevance: Higher education institutions should be held accountable and strategically aligned with labor market demands through a diagnostic approach and quality assurance mechanisms.
• Equity and Access: Preschool education access should be improved, particularly for the poorest families, by removing the flat 20 percent co-payment.

4. Skills Landscape

• Cognitive Skills Dominance: Jobs are becoming more cognitive and less manual, with a notable decrease in manual task demand.
• Sectoral Demand: The demand for socio-emotional and technical skills is rising, especially in IT, manufacturing, and services.
• Education and Employment Link: Educational attainment is closely linked to employment outcomes, with higher education associated with better job quality and higher wages.

5. Equity and Inclusion

• Disparities in Skills: There are major disparities in access to education and cognitive skills among population subgroups, particularly those from lower SES backgrounds, rural areas, and the Roma community.
• Roma Challenges: The Roma population is disproportionately affected by unemployment and lower wages, contributing to economic losses for Serbia.

6. Policy Recommendations

• Lifelong Learning (LLL): Emphasize the importance of LLL to ensure individuals can continuously update their skills throughout their careers.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Leverage PPPs to scale up effective pre-employment and work-based training schemes.
• Workplace Training: Encourage firms to invest in internal training programs, particularly for blue-collar workers, to address skills gaps and improve job readiness.
• Equity Measures: Implement policies to improve access to education and training for marginalized groups, including the Roma.

7. Conceptual Framework

• Skills for the Lifecycle: The education system must prepare students for the evolving economic and social landscape, with a focus on lifelong learning and the integration of skills across different life stages.
• Agile Training Systems: Training systems must be agile and responsive to changes in the labor market, with a strong emphasis on employer involvement and individualized learning opportunities.

Conclusion

Serbia has a unique opportunity to transform its education and training system to meet the demands of a modern, productive economy. This requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the quality, equity, and relevance of education, fosters lifelong learning, and promotes public-private partnerships. By doing so, Serbia can maximize the potential of its shrinking population, reduce skills mismatches, and improve labor market outcomes, ultimately supporting its path towards EU accession and long-term economic prosperity.