2023.2124.8

Getting young people into employment

Youth employment promotion in Moldova

Client: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit u. Entwicklung
Country: Moldova
Runtime: 01.01.2024 – 31.12.2027
Partner: Ministry of Labour and Social Protection

Contact

Dr. Rolf Peter

Eine junge Fabrikarbeiterin in Schutzkleidung schaut auf ein Tablet — © FotoArtist/stock.adobe.com

A woman practices soldering — © GIZ/Schimbator Studio

Context

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have exacerbated the labour market situation for young people and particularly for women in the Republic of Moldova. As a result, many young people are unemployed and are not in education or training. This affects 159,000 people, the majority of whom are women, with nearly two thirds living in rural regions.

At the same time, many companies are having difficulty finding skilled workers and filling vacancies. There is a high demand for staff in the IT, construction and energy sectors, in the manufacturing industry, and in retail and public administration. In many cases, short training courses or advisory services tailored to the target group would be sufficient to get the young people concerned into employment.

Objective

The National Employment Agency and its regional branches are able to provide young people with advice tailored to their target group, train them and place them in employment.

A man and a woman at a mechatronics training — © GIZ/Schimbator Studio

Approach

The project supports the National Employment Agency and its regional branches in identifying regional employment needs and gathering information on the labour market.

It contributes to ensuring that the Employment Agency’s advisory and training measures are tailored to the target group. The project addresses barriers that make it difficult for women, in particular, to take up employment. It develops local network structures and involves local civil society organisations, such as youth centres.

The project also encourages the Employment Agency to work closely with the private sector to identify labour market needs and set up training measures.

Last update: April 2024

Background:

The labour market situation in Moldova has deteriorated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, with young people in rural areas, especially young women, being particularly affected. Every fourth young person between the ages of 15 and 36 in Moldova is currently not in employment, education or training. In spite of this, businesses in sectors such as construction, hospitality and manufacturing are struggling to find workers.

Goal:

More young people have found good jobs in Moldova.

Approach:

The project supports Moldova’s national employment agency (ANOFM) and its regional employment offices. The project is enabling ANOFM to collect relevant labour market information and use it to develop active labour market measures. The project is also advising the regional employment offices on how they can improve their vocational and career counselling for young job seekers.

Short-term training courses are also being implemented to increase the employability of young people. Together with training providers and businesses, and with the technical support of involas GmbH, the project is developing and testing various formats for certified continuing education.

To attract young people in rural areas to join the labour market, the project is pursuing target-group-specific strategies that are supported by local networks made up of municipal administrations, youth centres, training providers and local businesses.