Slovakia lacks qualified labour

Slovakia lacks qualified labour

Foreign investors were once interested in Slovakia thanks to its highly qualified and cheap labour force, but times have changed, according to a survey conducted by the Slovak-German Trade and Industry Chamber (SNOPK). German investors currently cite a shortage of qualified workers as the biggest problem in Slovakia. A qualified and cheap labour force, in technology-related industries in particular, represented Slovakia's most significant advantage in terms of attracting investors at the turn of the millennium.

In the meantime, a great number of firms have come to Slovakia, especially in the automotive industry, and they are now competing for an inadequate pool of qualified employees, said SNOPK director Guido Glania. With its 191 cars produced per 1,000 inhabitants, Slovakia is one of the biggest producers of cars per capita in the world.

However, industry density is not the only problem. "For many years, Slovakia enjoyed a competitive advantage thanks to outstanding mathematical-technical education at vocational schools as well as universities," said Glania, adding that vocational education has diverged from market practice in the intervening years, though. "Schools have failed to modernise and, as a result, are meeting the standards required by firms to an ever lower degree."

For this reason, SNOPK supports dual education aimed at aligning the curriculum with the needs of employers. "Only now, by virtue of an orientation towards Germany and Austria, are we once again bringing education and employment together, with education accommodating the needs of firms more," he said, adding that SNOPK supports German firms in Slovakia in communication with schools and technical universities, for instance.

Mojmir Prochazka, Photo: TASR

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