Ruma, July 13, 2016 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Ms. Azza El-Abd, the Speaker of Ruma Municipal Assembly, Mr. Stevan Kovačevič, and the General Manager of Insert Ltd., Mr. Žarko Kojić launched the Women’s Education Center in Ruma today.  

The Women’s Education Center (WEC) is a two-year, workforce development, public-private partnership with Insert, Ltd. a local shoe manufacturer, and the Municipality of Ruma. The Center offers vocational training to women designed to respond to the needs of shoe, leather and furniture industries in the Srem region.  By doing so, the Center provides industries with a labor force that is able to meet market demands and contribute to local economic development.

According to official data, there are an estimated 28,000 unemployed people in the Srem Region and 5,000 in Ruma. The unemployment rate is highest among low-skilled workers and working age women.  Additionally, the education level of the working age population in Ruma is low with 21 percent completing primary school and 51 percent completing secondary school.

During her opening remarks, Ms. Azza El-Abd commended the municipality on the local economic development initiative.  “The Women’s Education Center recognized local workforce needs and designed a wonderful model to respond to the challenge of skilled workforce - a public-private partnership that addresses local workforce needs through joint problem identification, design, and implementation,” said El-Abd. 

"The municipality of Ruma plans to continuously support the Women’s Education Center and its ongoing and future activities aimed at other high-development potential sectors and partnerships focused on eliminating barriers to employment and contributing to private sector growth," said Kovačević.

The Center currently offers training programs that are aligned with identified needs of the region in regard to the shoes manufacturing sector.