Interest in craft occupations among students in Republika Srpska continues to grow. This year’s enrollment in secondary schools showed that hairdressers, electricians, installers, locksmiths and car mechanics are among the most sought-after professions.
Data from the Bijeljina region show that the enrollment policy is planned for 894 students distributed in 40 classes, and the largest number of students enrolled in the Technical and Economic Schools.
Duško Đurić, the president of Active directors of secondary schools in the Bijeljina region, says that the schools mostly achieved the planned enrollment.
Electricians are among the most sought after
The largest number of future artisans will be educated at the “Mihajlo Pupin” Technical School in Bijeljina, which for years enrolls five classes of artisan professions.
School director Milenko Maksimović says that electricians and installers have been among the most sought-after professions for several years.
“Already in the first enrollment period, a large number of students remained below the line for the electrician and installer majors. We were afraid that professions such as carpenters and toolmakers would not attract enough students, but in the end we managed to enroll 24 students in both directions,” said Maksimović.
Little interest in butchers
Although the labor market shows a need for butchers, the newly introduced course did not arouse the expected interest of students.
In the first enrollment period, only three students in Bijeljina and Prijedor, and four in Banja Luka applied for the profession of butcher.
Director of the Agricultural and Medical School in Bijeljina, Biljana Zarić, says that the turnout was significantly lower than expected.
“After many years, we reintroduced the profession of butcher, but only three students applied. There was more interest in bakeries, while most students were enrolled in the agro-producer course, which is one of the occupations in deficit and for which the Government of the Republika Srpska provides scholarships,” said Zarić.
Demographic decline threatens schools
Although interest in individual trade professions is growing in larger cities, the overall picture of secondary education in Republika Srpska remains challenging.
After the June and July registration period, as many as 22 secondary schools enrolled less than 50 students.
Demographers warn that the main reasons are the decreasing number of children born and the continuous emigration of the population, which is why preserving the network of secondary schools, especially in smaller communities, will represent an increasing challenge, Federalna writes.
