Representatives of the Albanian Government, academia, businesses and civil society youth organisations met for the Swiss-funded project RisiAlbania Advisory Board. Following the project team’s presentations of planned activities for 2019, they shared ideas and provided valuable recommendations for creating job opportunities for young women and men in Albania through project interventions focused on private sector development, skills development and strengthening job mediation services.

The second Advisory Board meeting was organized at the premises of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS): the venue choice was important as it showcased the RisiAlbania supported initiative for a partnership between the FSS and the University of Lausanne in the framework of improving FSS’s Career Orientation Master’s Programme for preparing future Albanian career advisors. RisiAlbania project is also working to establish next year a pilot Career Guidance Center in Tirana municipality. RisiAlbania’s focus on incentivizing market players to help youth make more jobs-oriented career choices will narrow the gap between employers who seek skilled workforce, and unemployed youth.

“Mandated by the Swiss Government and in line with the Swiss Cooperation Strategy, RisiAlbania project continues to contribute to the achievements of Albania’s national employment and skills strategy for promoting jobs and skills opportunities for young women and men” – said Swiss Ambassador to Albania Adrian Maître.

“Youth employment is one of the Albanian Government’ priorities and it is important to see that your planned activities for 2019 will support young people’s employment, help them receive the right information and be equipped with the skills the labor market requires”- further highlighted Deputy Prime Minister Senida Mesi.

During 2019 Risi expects to create new jobs and support private training providers to introduce 27 innovative training programmes that are in high demand by the private sector. Risi will continue in 2019 to ensure the inclusiveness of vulnerable and socially excluded young women and men in the labour market.