Apprenticeship in Macedonia

Vocational education and training, commonly called VET, is regulated by the Law on VET in the Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No. 3/25 and its amendment No. 74/25. The Ministry of Education and Science (МОН), the Centre for Vocational Education and Training (ЦРСО), VET schools, regional centres, employers, chambers and municipalities share responsibilities across the system. The Centre for Adult Education (ЦОВ) supports adult programmes and the validation of learning gained outside formal education. Apprenticeship has no separately evidenced nationwide apprentice system comparable to a distinct legal track. Its main local equivalent is dual education, дуално образование, together with учење преку работа, meaning learning through work. A learner attends school and completes practical training with an employer. The employer and school use a written three-party contract before practical training begins; when the learner is a minor, a parent or guardian signs. The employer is verified, and a workplace mentor normally has at least three years of experience in the relevant sector plus mentor training. A person with a master exam can act as a mentor without that mentor training. VET combines general education, occupational theory and practical training. Programmes cover fields such as electrical and information technology, construction, health and social care, agriculture, machinery, transport and storage, textiles, hospitality and tourism, forestry and wood, trade, chemistry and technology, among others. The main pathways differ in duration and progression. Vocational training lasts up to two years and can accept applicants with completed primary education or, in some cases, incomplete primary education combined with parallel primary education; it leads to a level 1 qualification. An occupation programme lasts three years, accepts learners after primary education, includes school and employer-based practice and leads to a level 2 qualification. A four-year technical programme can follow primary education or vocational training, leads to a level 3 qualification and can continue into post-secondary or higher vocational education; higher education requires the state matura. Post-secondary VET follows secondary education and leads to a level 4 qualification, including specialist and master pathways. It does not automatically guarantee a place or employment. Public-school admission takes place through an annual competition. The 2026/27 competition was published by МОН. Available profiles, seats, ranking rules, teaching language and location depend on the school and municipality, so the current notice needs checking for the chosen programme. The qualification guide is available through kvalifikacii.crso.gov.mk. A three-year programme normally ends with a final examination. A four-year programme ends with either the state matura or a final examination. Recognised documents include a vocational-training certificate, a final-exam diploma, a state-matura diploma, a specialist diploma and a master-exam diploma. During dual training, the contract sets the allowance. The 2025 amendment removed the previous fixed 6%, 9% and 12% formula, so the current amount is not fixed by that formula. The employer provides the practical curriculum, safety measures, supervision and allowance. Learners have labour-law and occupational-safety protections, winter and summer breaks, and contractual rules for ending the arrangement. They are expected to attend practical training regularly, follow lawful school and workplace instructions, complete internal and external assessments, protect confidential information and follow safety rules. Adult learners can obtain a first vocational qualification through formal programmes at accredited institutions or through non-formal modular programmes based on occupational and qualification standards. Adult programmes set their duration, duties and fees in the participant contract. Public calls may fund selected adult secondary programmes. Participants are generally at least 16 years old, with an exception at age 15 when they did not attend primary school. Regional centres and ЦОВ can validate non-formal and informal learning. The certificate and supplement list the completed modules and learning outcomes. Validation is qualification-specific; it is not automatic equivalence or an automatic guarantee of employment. Seven regional centres have been identified in Bitola, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Veles, Ohrid, Strumica and Štip, with an eighth planned by 2028. In the 2025/26 school year, 43,187 learners were enrolled in VET, including about 13,371 in dual education, roughly 30 percent. There were 76 VET schools, 67 of them with dual classes, and about 700 companies had cooperation memoranda. Dual education was prioritised for 2026/27. These figures describe participation in the relevant school years and do not guarantee that every occupation or municipality offers a dual place.