The connection between universities and the labor market - Hasalla: Internships and career offices, bridges between students and businesses
Connecting universities with the labor market is part of the Higher Education 2030 Action Plan. Experts see this initiative as a step forward and one that will give young people the opportunity to understand the needs of the labor market.
"What has been missing for years in Albania is this connection that we have between education and the job market. So very often young people have a diploma and do not have a secure job."
We are happy that there is a plan of measures supported by funds, which will help young people make this connection. It is not the type of connection that is easy, because there must be cooperation with businesses, companies, and institutions. From the very first steps, the university itself will need to think of a well-thought-out plan, also combined with the needs of businesses or the labor market. This requires a deeper study of the labor market, it requires more active and efficient career offices in universities. A career office must know what the labor market needs today and combine those needs with students and their desires. Above all, it must give everyone the opportunity to have equal access to the labor market and not give the opportunity to some and leave others aside.
"It becomes frustrating when you leave university and go to a job, or go to a place that doesn't fit your education. That's why we've always raised it as a concern. This is only done through accurate analysis, career offices and agreements with businesses," says Gertjana Hasalla, employment expert.
But is the private sector willing to cooperate?
"The private sector is the most needy in terms of workforce, it always needs employees, who are increasingly fewer and fewer in Albania. There has also been a movement for foreign employees, but that does not mean that they can replace 100% of Albanian employees and the business itself is the first to be interested in having Albanian employees who are qualified. Having this direct connection with the university, they will be able to get qualified employees from the university, so that they do not have shortages in their business ," the expert said.
Another element that should be considered to bring young people closer to the labor market, according to expert Hasalla, is providing the opportunity for paid internships.
"The time for unpaid internships is over because with today's living costs it is difficult to afford a living. We need to think more about paid internships, maybe not 100%, because everything depends on the level of experience in the workplace, but if they are paid at a certain level it would be a plus and a great advantage for the businesses themselves, because it would attract more young people who will come and do professional internships with them. By having someone you have taught, it will be easier for this person to be hired full-time, but also to have enough experience to be part of the team ," explains Hasalla.
The Ministry of Education has planned to have a budget of 28,400,000 Lekë to strengthen the connection between universities and the labor market.
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