The USAID Youth Employability Skills (YES) Network Project, with the Municipality of Prilep and the Employment Center - Prilep, opened an innovative two-day job fair at the Marko Cepenkov Cultural Center in Prilep today. 
The job fair is part of USAID’s YES Network Project’s efforts to close the gap between the skills workers have and those needed by the current labor market.  Through a variety of presentations, debates and panel discussions, the fair is gathering employers, educators, local authorities and young job-seekers to address the unemployment challenges currently facing Prilep youth. 
“The collaboration happening today and tomorrow must not end with the job fair – it is just the beginning,” said Michael Stievater, USAID Democracy and Education Office Director.  “Working together at the local level in an ongoing way – making it the new standard practice - is how we will achieve meaningful and lasting success.”
Students and young job-seekers are learning first-hand about the scope of opportunities in the region, current as well as potential future job vacancies, and the skills they would need for those positions.  Participating companies also stand to benefit when an appropriately skilled local workforce is ready to meet their labor needs.

NOTE TO EDITORS: 
The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov and USAID’s FB page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia
The USAID Youth Employability Skills Network is implemented by the Education Development Center, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing learning and promoting health. The Network collaborates with the Employment Service Agency, secondary vocational education and training schools, and youth-focused non-governmental organizations to help final-year students and unemployed youth through career guidance, work readiness skills trainings, and work-based learning experiences such as internships, practical work and entrepreneurial activities. All are designed to help young people enter into the world of rewarding and productive work.