The ETF assessment provided an overview and analysis of selected challenges with human capital development and use in North Macedonia and offered recommendations on how education and training can contribute to their resolution.

The assessment established further that the country has made significant economic progress which has fuelled demand for skills and the creation of jobs. However, it also noted that the socioeconomic context in which human capital is being developed and used remains volatile. Combined with unsatisfactory quality and outreach of education and training, this reinforces an inequality of chances for decent employment and prosperity for large segments of the population. Among the most affected are those with a low level of education and skills, as well as young people.

Authorities and stakeholders in North Macedonia are aware of the challenges and have put in place focused and ambitious plans for improvement. Many of these plans rely on cooperation and partnerships across sectors of the economy and the public domain. The report established that the potential of education and training to contribute to the fulfilment of these plans is hampered by persistent structural and policy shortcomings within the sector, and by limited capacity for cooperation with external stakeholders and the labour market.

The analysis in this report concluded with several recommendations on how to remedy these shortcomings in view of reinforcing the contribution of education and training in addressing challenges with human capital in North Macedonia. The annexes that follow summarise these recommendations. They also provide an overview of outcomes of independent consultations with national stakeholders on how to translate the recommendations into a roadmap for strategy implementation and donor planning.