Montenegro must prioritize speed, quality, efficiency, and a culture of anticipating knowledge, skills, and competencies to keep pace with highly developed economies, says Gordana Bošković, Head of PR and Marketing at the Employers’ Union (UPCG).
In a TalkUP podcast on lifelong learning as a key to economic sustainability and competitiveness, Bošković emphasized the need for strong dialogue between the education sector and the real economy.
She highlighted that a strong education system is essential for a strong economy, and lifelong learning is crucial to preserving the workforce amid Montenegro’s aging population and labor shortages.
Bošković pointed out that Montenegro faces a chronic shortage of skilled labor, with around 30-50% of young people under 29 neither in education, employment, nor training—a major issue requiring cooperation between the public and private sectors.
She noted that advanced economies like Sweden, the Netherlands, China, and Japan have long-established cultures of lifelong learning, with high adult participation rates, while Montenegro’s participation remains very low.
The modern world is shifting away from formal education towards self-directed learning and transversal skills such as communication, interpersonal abilities, and problem-solving.
Bošković stressed that Montenegro needs a flexible adult education system capable of quickly adapting to emerging skill demands, especially in digital technologies where the country currently lags.
The proposed amendments to the Adult Education Law are a positive step, allowing employers to organize training and develop internal education programs, fostering closer ties between business needs and education.
Digital transformation requires speed and efficiency, which are key to business innovation, employee effectiveness, and economic resilience.
She urged greater employer involvement in education and training to ensure workforce skills match market demands and called for depoliticization and flexibility in adult education regulations.
Finally, Bošković underlined that effective lifelong learning policies and strong cooperation between education and industry are essential for Montenegro’s economic growth, emphasizing that human capital is the country’s greatest economic asset.
