Sector-based approaches for a future-ready workforce: The case of the tourism sector in Serbia

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (ILO News) - Aligning skills needs with the labour market can be a daunting task. Fast changing technologies and consumer preferences, the adaptation to demographic changes and the requirements of the green transition are just a few of the important drivers of change that oblige companies to adopt new production patterns and business processes. Their capacities to adapt, innovate and compete depend highly on the professional skills of the workforce. Governments can support the adaptation to change by creating mechanisms and systems that collect and analyse information and translate it into make vocational training and lifelong learning (LLL) programmes that are more responsive to the needs of the labour market.  

Drivers of change

An essential element is skills needs anticipation: a forward-looking approach to understand the trends and tendencies, the skills changes occurring withing different occupations that will influence the need for competent workers and professionals. The ILO supports its Constituents in building institutional capacities for skills needs anticipation and assists them with carrying out anticipation exercises. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach for skills needs anticipation, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies is usually recommended.  

Benefits of a sector-based approach 

Skills Anticipation can yield even better results and lead to higher impact if carried out at the level of an economic sector or industry, for the following reasons: 

1. Industry-specific relevance: A sectoral approach allows for understanding the particular economic dynamics within each sector and industry-specific demands across sectoral value-chains.  

2. Better alignment with industry dynamics: Focussing on one sector allows for a better analysis of supply and demand flows in the workforce, detecting skills shortages and finding strategies for minimizing mismatches between vocational training and labour market requirements.  

3. Faster adaptation to technological changes: A sectoral approach ensures that training programmes remain up-to-date with rapidly changing technologies and business processes, incorporating emerging trends such as digitalisation, AI, or green technologies. 

4. Increased Employer involvement in training design: Employers within a sector are well-connected and invested in the development of their industry. Hence, they are more likely to actively participate in the development of training standards, curricula, apprenticeships, and certification frameworks, ensuring that training programmes produce job-ready candidates. 

5. Supports economic growth and competitiveness: By addressing sector-specific skills gaps, industries become more productive and competitive, which strengthens the national economy and increases employment opportunities. 

The case of the Serbian Tourism sector 

In early 2023, the Serbian Association of Employers (SAE) approached the ILO to address skills mismatches in the workforce. Despite advancements in modernizing its Vocational Training System, employers still face challenges in securing workers with the right skills. The tourism sector, particularly the hotel segment, was selected for a skills needs anticipation exercise using the ILO Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) methodology. 

The Serbian tourism sector shows promising growth potential, with contributions to GDP expected to double by 2031 and the share of employees in the sector rising significantly. However, the existing tourism development strategy does not adequately address the need for a skilled workforce. The ILO facilitated a skills anticipation exercise, including a diagnostic study, employer survey, and a Skills Needs Foresight Workshop, leading to the development of a sectoral Skills Development Strategy for the Tourism Sector in January 2024. 

The strategy emphasizes cooperation between education and the tourism industry, improving the image of hospitality as a profession, reforming practical teaching methods, and reinforcing lifelong learning opportunities. It also recommends establishing awards, incentives, and scholarships to attract students to the sector and aligning educational programs with industry needs. 

On October 10th, 2024, the SAE and ILO presented the Skills Development Strategy at a national event, highlighting the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to shape the future of education in Serbia’s tourism sector. A follow-up event is planned for summer 2025 to discuss specific parts of the strategy. 

The experience in Serbia demonstrates that a sector-based strategy enhances stakeholder engagement and ensures skill development initiatives are aligned with industry needs, leading to stronger pathways for workforce development and helping companies remain competitive.