The Faculty of Economics in Osijek hosted the sixth Meeting of Science and Economy on Monday, November 21, with the overarching theme ‘Labor Market and Post-Pandemic Recovery: Restructuring, Flexibility, and Resilience?’.
This traditional professional-scientific event was organized by EFOS, with participation from the Croatian Employers’ Association and the Alumni of the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, and was also supported by the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy of the Republic of Croatia.
During thematic discussions on the responses to key challenges facing the domestic labor market and post-pandemic recovery, speakers included Ivan Vidiš, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy of the Republic of Croatia, Luka Čirko, Director of the Labor Market and Employment Directorate at the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy of the Republic of Croatia, Prof. Dr. Boris Crnković, Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, Irena Weber, CEO of the Croatian Employers’ Association, Velimir Vilović, Board Member of Nexe, Jozo Ljubičić, Board Member of Žito, and numerous other experts.
– “Every year we conduct very detailed analyses and send a clear message to the educational system at the county and state level regarding which professions are needed in the labor market. In this area, as the responsible ministry, we strive to contribute as much as possible, and such meetings with employers and students are an important part of these efforts to stimulate employment opportunities for young people coming directly from university,” emphasized Ivan Vidiš, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy of the Republic of Croatia.
The entire event aimed to stimulate discussion around key issues of the Croatian labor market, the problem of structural unemployment and its long-term consequences, as well as measures that can result in improvements in the labor market in the short and long term, from both the supply and demand perspectives. Additionally, the goal was to provide answers to questions related to the causes and consequences of the pervasive gap between the business and academic communities, as well as the key challenges of the career management system, while also showcasing the views of experienced entrepreneurs and career advisors, as well as young entrepreneurs on the state of the Croatian labor market and access to education.
– “The recovery of the labor market, both at our local and national level, represents a question of strategic importance for the Faculty of Economics in Osijek and a challenge that shapes our approach to higher education and the creation of future experts in the field of economic sciences and economy. Therefore, for many years we have been developing increasingly quality cooperation with the business community and relevant ministries, which has resulted in concrete outcomes in terms of changes to study programs, organization of student internships, and connecting our students with future employers. We see this principle of integrating science and economy as the correct and long-term perspective for stabilizing the labor market,” emphasized Boris Crnković, Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Osijek.
