Locations
At the Antun Branko Šimić Secondary School in Grude, newly equipped labs for CNC operators and mechatronics were officially opened. These labs enable students to gain practical knowledge and experience in line with modern labor market needs.
The same type of labs have been set up in all vocational schools across the West Herzegovina Canton. They are equipped with state-of-the-art devices such as CNC machines, PLC modules, pneumatic sets, and robotic arms. School staff have undergone training to use the equipment, thereby creating conditions for quality theoretical and practical instruction. This technology gives students access to the latest industrial standards.
These labs are the result of activities within the “Partnership for Employment” project, implemented as part of the programme “Translating the SDG Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina into sustainable and inclusive growth” (SDG2BiH). The programme is funded by Sweden and implemented by UNDP in BiH in partnership with UNICEF and UN Women, as part of a broader UN support to local governments in implementing the SDG framework in BiH.
This initiative was carried out through a grant scheme for SDG localization. The total value amounts to BAM 308,430, of which Sweden, through the SDG2BiH programme, contributed BAM 132,757, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of West Herzegovina Canton contributed BAM 175,673.
“Our school conducts classroom instruction that provides students with experience working in conditions similar to real production environments. With the introduction of new programs for CNC operators and mechatronics technicians, student interest has significantly increased, which confirms the relevance of these fields on the labor market.”Mate Boban, one of the school’s teachers
From the students’ perspective, the new equipment and way of working are already making a difference:
Student David Raspudić and teacher Mate Boban
Daniela Perić, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton
“It’s very important to me that I have the opportunity to work with modern tools like a CNC machine because it increases my competitiveness in the labor market. Using this equipment allows me to gain practical knowledge that employers are looking for.”David Raspudić, a first-year student
The recognition of the importance of linking education and the labor market is also reflected in the strategic approach of cantonal authorities. The Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton, Daniela Perić, emphasized:
“The ‘Partnership for Employment’ project is one of the first to systematically link the education sector with the private sector, creating a strong connection between the knowledge acquired in school and the real needs of the labor market. The new Law on Secondary Vocational Education, which comes into effect in the 2025/2026 school year, will enable the introduction of dual education and further strengthen the reform.”
Through the process of localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), private sector representatives have been actively involved in the project to convey which skills are most needed in today’s labor market. Based on their recommendations, schools have adjusted curricula and teaching methods. This alignment of education with real market needs is crucial for retaining young people in the local community and strengthening the region’s competitiveness.
Schools have already adapted their teaching plans to address the specific demands of the private sector. Through SDG localization, the private sector becomes a catalyst for change, directing educational institutions to develop skills that are central to today’s economy.
Strong support for this process comes from Sweden:
“Our work with the West Herzegovina Canton shows how a reform-based approach grounded in real market needs can produce tangible results. Thanks to the partnership with the private sector, curricula have been modernized, teachers trained, and schools equipped with modern tools. This is an investment in the future of BiH.”Helena Lagerlöf, Sweden’s Ambassador to BiH
Helena Lagerlöf, Sweden’s Ambassador to BiH
Victor Munteanu, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in BiH
“This initiative shows what is possible when we invest in young people. Through the project, students have had the opportunity to learn through practice, acquire in-demand skills, and gain a better chance of employment. We are proud of the partnership with the cantonal authorities and grateful to Sweden for its support – together we are showing that sustainable development is not an abstract concept, but a real change happening here and now.”Victor Munteanu, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in BiH
The new labs in West Herzegovina Canton are a clear example of how tangible investments in education can create real opportunities for youth, allowing them to stay and build their future in their local communities. The project continues in other secondary schools across the canton, with the goal of strengthening vocational education and ensuring a competitive workforce for a challenging labor market.
