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| A day of teaching in the courtyard of the Polytechnic University in Tirana |
In Albania, a large proportion of young people graduating from university face difficulties in adapting to the labor market, which pushes many of them to emigrate abroad in search of a job or further qualifications. As VOA's Pëllumb Sulo reports, labor market experts say universities can do more to tailor programs to the needs of today's youth job market. According to INSTAT data, 42,048 people, mostly young people, left Albania for emigration last year alone.
Eminia and Suela are two students of the Faculty of Economics at the University "Luigj Gurakuqi" of Shkodra. They say they chose this branch in the hope that, at the end of their studies, they will find a job. But, after the first years of study, more and more, they feel insecure about the opportunities offered by the labor market in Albania. This is also the case with the student Emine Torishta.
"I think to leave to work and live abroad. However, if I find a good, safe job in which I find myself, I continue here. But it is the idea that many young people want to leave because they do not find themselves at work and businesses here in Albania."
Student Suela Qosaj is from Vermoshi, Malësia e Madhe, one of the areas known in Albania for mountain tourism, but since 1990, when the borders were opened, most of the inhabitants left for emigration, mainly to America and England. Suela says she too hopes to emigrate for a better future.
"My goal is to finish my bachelor's degree. Then I do not know if I will continue here or abroad. But, my goal is to have me abroad, to try something new, a different experience, different from the one that is approaching in Albania. Because it is known that abroad is something better, something that is worthwhile even if you return to Albania."
Difficulties in adapting to the labor market, low wages, and job insecurity continue to push many young people to emigrate, mainly to Western European countries. Only last year, according to data from the Institute of Statistics, 42 thousand 48 people emigrated from Albania, mostly young people, an indicator similar to that of 2019, when the emigration of Albanians marked the highest number in the last 10 years the last.
The Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Blerta Dragusha, says that in recent years there have been increased efforts to provide students with a job market and employment opportunities, through participation in European university exchange programs, including job fairs. However, she says some students continue to leave Albania for emigration.
"Of course, there are also students who go abroad, leave and have employment opportunities, education opportunities and who continue their careers. We often receive announcements from them for the defense of doctorates in various European or American universities, just as they are very successful in their careers as managers, as economists, financiers, and as tourism leaders in different countries, all over the world.
But the head of the ABSL organization, co-organizer of the job fair, Ersenilda Elezi, says that after the pandemic period, adaptation to the labor market is a global problem, due to the changes and rapid pace that the economy is undergoing. And this is also reflected in young people graduating from universities in Albania.
"Really, it is a paradox that businesses have the same concern, as they find it difficult to find qualified young people. What is required of the organization is to have a little patience and investment in the preparation of these young people while they are students, so to have more internships, even for a fee, for students, to stimulate them and have professional growth while they are studying. And, businesses, at the moment they receive young people, to be satisfied with the results of their work".