On April 3, 2025, First Constitutive Meeting of the Business Council was held at the Ibis Hotel, within the framework of the “Strengthening the Vocational Education and Training (VET) System in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project. This meeting gathered key representatives from the business community, educational institutions, and other partners with the aim of establishing the foundations for joint efforts to the ongoing improvement of the vocational education and training system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Almir Tanović, a representative from the Swiss Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attended the meeting and talked to the participants. He emphasized Switzerland’s strong support for this project, which has the potential to significantly impact both the education system and the labor market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Project Team Leader, Efka Heder, opened the meeting with an introductory speech, outlining the key role of the Advisory Council in the project’s implementation. It was highlighted that the President of the Advisory Council will regularly attend the Business Council meetings, ensuring alignment of activities and fostering strong collaboration that will contribute to the efficient and coordinated development of all project activities.
Amir Sarajlić, an expert on the project, presented the Business Council’s regulations, emphasizing their importance in defining guidelines for the development of the vocational education and training sector. Sarajlić also highlighted the role of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this significant process and the importance of linking the education sector with the business community to create a system that responds to the labor market’s needs.
During the meeting, the Vice-President of the Business Council was elected through a QR code voting system, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the election process. Mr. Mario Nenadić, President of the Employers’ Association in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was appointed as the permanent President, contributing to the stability and continuity of the Council’s work.
Following the election of the President and Vice-President, a presentation by Mr. Suad Ećo was held, where he shared a case study from the company Inside by Ećo. The presentation served as an excellent example of how companies can collaborate with educational institutions and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce. Mr. Ećo shared insights on the labor market’s needs and the challenges companies face when hiring skilled personnel.
Additionally, during the meeting, a Memorandums of Understanding were signed with the Chambers of Commerce and Craft Chambers in the Federation of BiH and Brčko District BiH. This Memorandums represent significant steps in strengthening the partnership between the education sector and the economy, enabling better integration of the labor market and the education system and ensuring concrete steps toward increasing the qualified workforce.
The Business Council meeting was an important step in creating an effective framework for the further development of the vocational education and training system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the active involvement of all participants, this project has the potential to significantly improve the education system and create a skilled workforce that meets the challenges and demands of the labor market.
For more information about the project and its implementation, please visit our website. Stay updated on our progress and follow our work towards creating a better education system for Bosnia and Herzegovina!
