This year, the YMCA has taken further steps in providing structured and impactful career guidance for young people. Building on the certification of our youth workers in the ProfillPASS methodology, as well as the methodology for life skills and employability from the project „Empowering Youth through New Opportunities“, YMCA successfully piloted both individual and group career support. Last year we started providing career guidance one-on-one, and this year we have started working with groups of peers with both initiatives aiming to help young people better understand themselves and make informed decisions about their future professional paths.

Whether individual or group support, the YMCA approach has two main components: providing development of career (mostly “soft”) skills and providing development of life skills (via various types of character-building activities).

Considering the group’s career support, in March this year, within the overall service YMCA provides for the local youth center, we piloted a three-part workshop series for primary and high school students. These sessions were tailored for age-specific youth. Participants explored the importance of personality types and self-awareness as a foundation for choosing a meaningful career. Each workshop focused on:

• Gaining deeper self-understanding,
• Setting clear and achievable personal and career goals,
• Creating a CV and personal portfolio,
• Building a professional network.

Throughout the sessions, young participants also engaged with inspiring real-life people and their career journeys in psychology, music, academia, and civil society. The final workshop allowed them creatively to shape their envisioned career paths, reinforcing the importance of making thoughtful life decisions. Trainers for this three-part workshop series were Prof. Dr. Sašo Kočankovski (Psychologist and Gestalt Therapist) and Anita Gagovska (Social Innovator).

These structured activities address the growing need for accessible career counseling. We aim to close the gap between youth potential and market demands by also initiating collaboration with schools, companies, and local educators to create a stronger ecosystem for youth development. With this, the YMCA reaffirms its mission to support young people in their personal and professional development through relevant, evidence-based, and youth-centered initiatives.