From Education to Employment: A Journey That Requires Real Support for Young People
Read the story of Enxhi one of the Albanian Youth Guarantee Ambassadors
Enxhi Kala, one of the Albanian Youth Guarantee Ambassadors, has been invited to give a brief overview of her experiences and explain why there is a need for real support structures for young people in Albania. In her article, you can read about how mentorship, resources, and community participation help them make a confident transition from education to work, and about the important steps they need to take to close the learning-work gap.
I am Enxhi, currently a student in vocational education at the "Herman Gmeiner" high school and a Youth Guarantee Ambassador. Before this commitment became part of my life, I, too, went through periods of uncertainty about my future.
Like many other young people, I often wondered: Am I on the right path? Will I be prepared for the job market? What comes after school? While I was studying and building my skills, I lacked clear direction and reliable information about the opportunities available to me.
It was precisely these feelings that pushed me to get more involved. Today, my engagement with young people is not just a role -it is a responsibility I carry every day. Through this journey, I have had the opportunity to listen, understand, and reflect on the real challenges young people in Albania face, especially during the transition from education to employment.
This transition is often difficult. It brings uncertainty, limited information, limited practical skills, and sometimes even a lack of self-confidence. I have seen up close that many young people have great potential, yet they do not know where to begin.
That is exactly why programs like the Youth Guarantee are not just initiatives; they provide concrete support for young people who need direction and opportunities.
What is the Youth Guarantee?
It is a commitment by the Member States of the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans to ensure that all young people aged 15–29 receive a quality offer within four months of registering as unemployed jobseekers or leaving formal education. These opportunities include:
- Employment
- Continuing education
- Apprenticeship
- Professional training
What does the Youth Guarantee mean for you?
As a Youth Guarantee Ambassador, my role has been to serve as a bridge between this program and young people. I have been part of informational activities, discussions, and fairs such as the Jobs and Skills Fair in Tirana, where I witnessed firsthand both the interest and the uncertainties young people carry.
The need for such a program has become even more evident amid rising youth unemployment, particularly among NEET youth -those who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training. These are precisely the young people who need the most support and guidance.
For me, the Youth Guarantee is a powerful idea: no young person should be left without opportunities. We aim to connect education, skills, and employment into a clear, accessible path for every young person.
What do young people say?
I have access to many information channels, including U-Report Albania, which provides data collected from young people. This platform reflects the views of young people whom I hear directly from my peers. Most young people believe their success depends on a combination of quality education, vocational training, and employment.
This aligns perfectly with the conversations I have every day: young people are not just looking for a diploma-they are looking for a clear pathway to a professional career.
However, a large portion feels only partially prepared for the labor market. I have often observed this: the potential is there, yet we lack clear guidance, including career counseling and practical opportunities to develop skills aligned with market demands.
I have met young people who are ready to work, learn, and contribute, yet often feel demotivated by the reality they face. This is a clear call for greater investment in programs that create real opportunities and promote sustainable development.
What motivates young people today, and what can we do?
According to U-Report, young people are seeking more than just a job. They are seeking:
- Decent wages that ensure well-being and cover living costs
- Security and stability in education, work, and community
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth, experiences, and jobs aligned with 21st-century skills
As a Youth Guarantee Ambassador, I have seen just how much impact a simple piece of information can have at the right moment. Often, what is missing is not potential - it's access to information, opportunities, and support.
What reflections from the field would you like to share?
What has left the deepest impression on me are the meetings with young people in different cities such as Tirana, Shkodra, Puka, and Vlora. I have seen enthusiasm, creativity, and a strong desire to move forward. But at the same time, I have also seen hesitation and uncertainty. Youth Ambassadors conducting door-to-door information sessions and outreach in vulnerable communities, including Roma settlements, show that peer-to-peer engagement works.
In these moments, I understand how important our role as ambassadors truly is, to listen, inform, and motivate. Sometimes a simple conversation can make a difference and change how a young person sees their future.
This journey has changed me, too. It has made me more confident, more aware, and more committed to being part of the change.
If you had one message for your peers, what would it be?
As a young person and Youth Guarantee Ambassador, I want to tell you this: don't wait for opportunities to come to you; seek them out, explore them, and seize them.
The Youth Guarantee is there to support you, but the greatest power lies within you, in your will to learn, improve, and never give up.
The future is not something that happens. It is built step by step. I strongly believe that when young people are supported and empowered, they are not just part of the future; they are the ones who build it.
The Youth Guarantee is an important EU program for youth employment.
The Youth Guarantee is being piloted in Albania with the support of the EU4Youth project, which is funded by the European Union in Albania and implemented by UNDP Albania & UNICEF Albania, in cooperation with the National Agency for Employment and Skills, under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
