Chamber of Commerce of Zenica-Doboj Canton Hosts the Second Meeting within the "SteelCityZen" Project
On June 22, 2026, the second stakeholder meeting within the "SteelCityZen" project was held in Zenica. The project aims to support industrial regions in the process of economic diversification and to improve the alignment of education, skills, and labor market needs in the context of the green and digital transition.
The meeting took place at the premises of the Chamber of Commerce of Zenica-Doboj Canton, with the participation of 19 representatives from institutions, the education sector, employment services, the business community, and trade unions. Among the participants were representatives of the Employment Service of Zenica-Doboj Canton, educational institutions from Zenica and Kakanj, the University of Zenica, the private sector, trade union organizations, as well as municipal and cantonal institutions.
During the project presentation, key objectives were highlighted, focusing on supporting regions with a strong industrial heritage, strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship, and adapting the workforce to modern market demands, particularly in the segments of green and digital transformation.
The results of the project activities conducted so far were presented, including a local stakeholder survey and a Status Quo Analysis (SQA). These results point to key challenges such as skills mismatch with labor market needs, a lack of practical and digital competencies, demographic challenges, and high levels of economic inactivity.
A special focus was placed on the pilot activities being implemented in the Municipality of Kakanj, which include the establishment of an online platform and a coworking center for skills development and employability enhancement. The concept and planned functionalities were presented to the participants, emphasizing the importance of active involvement of all partners in their implementation.
During the discussion, the importance of professional orientation for youth was highly emphasized, along with proposals to strengthen the involvement of parents, teachers, and labor market data in the career choice process. It was also proposed to introduce early forms of career guidance testing in elementary schools, as well as to strengthen career counselling and skills certification, especially for vulnerable groups in the labor market.
Participants pointed out the need to strengthen cooperation between the education sector and the business community, particularly in the context of shortage occupations, as well as the challenges posed by the brain drain of skilled labor. The need for continuous alignment of educational programs with real labor market needs within the existing regulatory framework was also highlighted.
It was concluded that the pilot activities represent a concrete and operational response to the identified challenges, and that participants are ready for further cooperation in their implementation and development. It was also emphasized that in the subsequent phases, the project results will be consolidated and presented to the relevant government levels to improve policies in the fields of employment and education.
In the coming period, through the implementation of activities in the "SteelCityZen" project, the Chamber of Commerce of Zenica-Doboj Canton will focus on improving the local skills development system and strengthening the connection between education and the labor market.
