ILPP Hosts NextGen CareerUp Forum 2026: From Education to Opportunity

On 21 October 2026, the Institute for Leadership and Public Policy (ILPP) organised the NextGen CareerUp Forum 2026, titled “From Education to Opportunity: Building Career Pathways for Young People,” at Hotel Mercure in Tetovo. Supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in North Macedonia, the Forum created a platform for dialogue among young people, public and educational institutions, businesses, career guidance professionals and other stakeholders committed to improving young people’s transition from education to employment.

The Forum addressed a central question: What needs to change so that young people can develop the skills, access the opportunities and build the careers they aspire to?

Bridging education, skills and employment

Through three interconnected panel discussions, participants explored the challenges young people face when moving from education into the labour market, the expectations of employers, and the importance of giving young people a meaningful role in shaping decisions that affect their future.

The first panel, “Bridging the Gap: From Education to Employment,” focused on the relationship between education and labour-market needs, the importance of career guidance, practical experience and future skills, and the role of institutions in creating clearer pathways into employment.

The second panel, “Beyond the CV: What Employers Really Look For,” brought together perspectives from the business community, international organisations and university career services. The discussion examined what employers value beyond formal qualifications, including initiative, adaptability, willingness to learn and transferable skills. Participants also explored the challenge faced by young applicants who are expected to have experience but need opportunities to gain it, highlighting the importance of internships, mentoring and cooperation between employers and educational institutions.

The third panel, “Our Future, Our Voice,” placed young people at the centre of the conversation. Young representatives shared their perspectives on access to career guidance, mentoring and development opportunities, while discussing how cooperation among schools, institutions, civil society organisations and businesses can respond more effectively to their needs.

Recognising employers who invest in young talent

An important moment of the Forum was the presentation of certificates by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to North Macedonia, H.E. Özlem Canel, to companies that had welcomed interns through the NextGen CareerUp project.

The recognition highlighted the contribution of employers who provide young people with opportunities to gain practical experience, develop professional skills and take their first steps towards employment. Their engagement demonstrates the value of partnerships between civil society, businesses and educational institutions in supporting young people’s professional development.

From dialogue to action

The NextGen CareerUp Forum built on ILPP’s ongoing work to strengthen career and employability skills, promote mentoring and internships, engage employers and support cooperation among relevant stakeholders, including through the Council for Career and Professional Guidance.

By bringing together institutional, business and youth perspectives, the Forum aimed to identify shared challenges, strengthen partnerships and generate practical priorities for future cooperation. The discussions reaffirmed that improving youth employability requires a shared commitment: educational institutions must help young people develop relevant skills, employers must create accessible entry points into the workplace, and institutions and other stakeholders must work together to make career opportunities more inclusive and accessible.

ILPP will continue to build on the dialogue and partnerships developed through NextGen CareerUp, connecting young people with the guidance, experience and opportunities they need to shape their professional futures.