Croatia’s Voucher Program Boosts Employment

The Croatian government reports that 84 percent of participants in its education voucher program secure employment within one year of completion. The program, initially funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, will continue through the European Social Fund Plus and the state budget, ensuring uninterrupted access to training. Over the past four years, approximately 67,000 citizens have benefitted from the initiative, with around 70 million euros invested in upskilling and reskilling.

Young employed women have particularly benefitted, representing nearly six of ten voucher recipients. The program has also extended to foreign workers learning Croatian, with partial funding provided. The Ministry of Labour aims to model Croatia’s adult education system after France’s, where workers receive annual funds for professional development accumulated throughout their careers.

The most popular training programs include assistant teaching, digital skills, internet marketing, personal assistance, and bookkeeping.