Following the adoption of the Macedonian Qualifications Framework (MQF) in 2013 and the establishment of the National Board of the Macedonian Qualifications Framework last year, the next key phase is the revival of this national standard that regulates acquisition and use of qualifications.

Adopted in accordance with the European Qualifications Framework, MQF is a link between the qualifications systems of various countries and a tool to facilitate communication between them. The individuals will be allowed greater mobility in education and training and labour market.

The revival of the Macedonian Qualifications Framework is only possible with the involvement of all stakeholders, especially the systematic inclusion of employers, Deputy Education Minister Spiro Ristovski told at Monday’s press conference and called on the business community to actively monitor the work of its bodies.

Information on activities can be seen at www.mrk.mk where register of qualifications is also available.

By increase of importance of lifelong learning and increased need of flexible access to education and training in accordance to the labour market demands, the need to increase the transparency of qualifications acquired formally or informally, at home and aboard is raised. Education and training have key role in development and promotion of society based on knowledge, competitiveness and innovation and we need this aimed at being able to meet the challenges of globalisation, Ristovski said.

National Board of MQF includes members of chambers of commerce and Economic Chamber of Macedonia was included from the very beginning in preparation of MQF.

Aneta Trajkovska, director of the directorate for other forms of organisation and operation within Economic Chamber of Macedonia said that MQF is an important segment to develop the education system in the country and should allow individuals their employment, mobility, career development and adequate reward.

We expect Macedonian Qualifications Framework to provide recruitment, capacity, scalability, creating responsible personnel that will enable a return on investment in business and a quality product and quality service to the companies. As the social partners we are to monitor and improve the process of cooperation through the active involvement of our companies all sector committees in order to analyze the situation and trends in the labour market, to improve and to define the qualifications needed by the industry, Trajkovska said.