Around 140 companies from manufacturing and industry, finance, services and technology, transport and logistics, tourism and retail took part in the "Gledaj sebi posla 2026" Job Fair in Sarajevo on 3-4 September, providing their perspectives on current skills needs, occupational profiles and changing workplace requirements.
Organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the fair brought employers together with institutions working to better align vocational training with labour market needs. Around 3,000 job-seekers also attended the event.
For the International Labour Organization (ILO), the fair was also an opportunity to engage employers through the EU-funded EU4Education and Employment project. In an Employer Engagement Zone, company representatives contributed to the development and validation of ten occupational standards across technical, digital, construction, business and service occupations. Occupational standards define the skills, knowledge and competencies required for a profession and provide the basis for updating vocational curricula and qualifications.
| The occupational standards were discussed for Auto Electrician, Electrician, Nutrition Technician and Salesperson with a focus on online sales. Six other occupational standards are under development for Local Area Network Administrator, Programming Technician, Website Technician, Construction Technician, Graphic Technician and Chemical Technician. |
Through 62 structured interviews and questionnaires, employers described what workers do in these occupations, the tasks and competencies they consider essential, how technology and work organisation are changing jobs, and where training could better respond to workplace needs. The consultations focused on practical workplace evidence rather than general perceptions of skills needs.
"Employers are helping ensure that qualifications reflect the realities of today's workplaces. Their contribution will support training programmes that better prepare young people and jobseekers for quality employment." said Dženita Namgalija, ILO National Project Coordinator for EU4Education and Employment.
The Fair builds on a wider employer engagement process already under way. The project already supported the development and endorsement of four occupational standards - Electrical Power Engineering Technician, Electrical Installer, Mechatronics Technician and Tourism Technician - with employer and education sector participation. The new cycle expands this work to additional occupations and uses surveys, working groups and validation to strengthen the link between labour market requirements and vocational qualifications.
On the second day of the Fair, teachers and students from 3 schools participating in the ILO's Know About Business (KAB) programme demonstrated an interactive Business Game, showing how entrepreneurship education can develop teamwork, decision-making and initiative among young people. An ILO Podcast Corner presented the Organization's broader work on employment, skills and labour market institutions, anchored in the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
By bringing together employers, educators, institutions and jobseekers, the fair highlighted the interconnection between skills, employment and labour market governance. The employer feedback gathered during the fair will now inform the finalisation of occupational standards and the next phase of curriculum development, helping ensure that vocational education remains closely aligned with labour market needs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
