A regional Job Fair was opened to jobseekers and businesses alike in the central city of Durres with a range of 1047 jobs positions of various categories and profiles on offer. Some 480 available jobs in the fair, which was visited by Prime Minister Edi Rama, were negotiated through the regional employment services, while the rest job placements were a result of direct contact between jobseekers and employers participating in the event. “People should not say that there are no jobs. We operate in clothing and apparel manufacturing sector and we employ 250 people. We also offer our employees training program and opportunities to develop their skills. We are looking for cutters, electricians, needlewomen, mechanics and many other employment opportunities. “We operate in the garment and clothing sector. We design, cut the fabric into patterns and carry out entire process of producing jeans. We offer many new jobs ranging from office assistant to specialist-level positions. Salaries range from a minimum wage of 40 thousand lek, whereas the administration personnel receive higher salaries,” another garment and clothing industry businessman said.
The job fair revealed the fact that the labour market a big city like Durres too, the country’s second largest, fails to meet its needs for welders and other skilled workers. “We have always hired specialist welders with the help of the employment office, although they are not stable. We have established continued contact with the employment service,” said a young entrepreneur, who has recently returned home from emigration in Italy to start his own business in collaboration with the companies he used to work until three years ago. Prime Minister Rama acknowledged skilled labour shortage is a real concern for the big companies dealing with major projects too. “There is a shortage of skilled welders, which is a serious problem since all newly opened companies which are involved in major projects like the national stadium, the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline and other projects involving large metallic structures suffer the lack of skilled workers. That’s why we need to further strengthen the vocational education system,” PM Rama said.
Students attending vocational training and schools in Durres are the most sought ones in the labour market. “We are cooperating with all employment agencies and businesses seeking to employ more people. Our school provides vocational education in travel and hospitality, food technology, seamanship, economics, textile and clothing,” a representative of the Vocational Education Centre said.
Big companies offering various and higher-paying jobs, in engineering positions in particular, are finding it hard in recruiting their staff. “We are looking for mechanical engineers, electricians and other skilled workers. The company’s salary range for the jobs is 65-70 thousand lek,” a businessman said. “We operate in clothing garment and footwear industry and we face same problem in hiring the staff since few are willing to take up jobs. For two years now we have been cooperating with the employment service offices in Tirana, Durres and elsewhere. I think people are reluctant to take up jobs, because we offer paid training course for our employees. Our salary range is 70-80 thousand lek,” an entrepreneur said. “We are looking for mechanical engineers and specialist for constructing aluminium structures,” the representative of another private company said.
Prime Minister Edi Rama noted that the job fair affirms the economic development pace stimulates a growing demand for available workers with the right skills for jobs. “There are two aspects of the job fair worth of mentioning. The first is that the obviously progressive growth of the economy has triggered a growing demand not only for job positions, but also the need for a workforce and workers with specific skills and knowledge to take up jobs in companies operating in textile manufacturing, mainly here in Durres, or enterprises operating in fish and seafood processing and tourism companies, travel, hospitality and hotel structures, as well as companies exporting construction materials. Another aspect is the salary range for the jobs, with a starting pay at 250 thousand lek and progressively increasing to a maximum salary range at 700-800 thousand lek. It is the whole range of jobs, including all professions and an inherited vacuum over the years is being gradually filled, though not at a required pace, since it is impossible to fill the gap within such a short time as the newly established vocational education system is on the right track. Providing people employment opportunities is our main challenge,” PM Rama stated.
On the other hand, the Premier appreciated the regional employment service office for successfully mediating between the private business and jobseekers. “The employment office either here in Durres or in Kruja are doing a great job. Some 1047 new jobs are made available here at this square. Such job fair events help people to establish face-to-face contact with employers, learn about the labour market and explore the job opportunities. There is no other alternative but to keep on insisting and insisting since a lot remains to be done in order to break out of a whole mentality,” the Premier said.
