Analysis of the relationship between higher education and youth employment in Serbia

Young people in Serbia are considered a vulnerable group in the labor market. The extended period of searching for adequate employment, as well as the harmonization of the competencies of young people with the requirements of employers present a special challenge. Young people with a university degree need less time to find a job, although unfavorable economic trends have a relatively worse effect on graduates. The aim of this paper is to determine the role of higher education in the context of employment of graduates. Based on the analysis of the content of the relevant national strategic documents related to work, employment and higher education, it was concluded that the differences between academic and vocational higher education are growing in the context of educational outcomes and expected quality standards. In this regard, academic higher education institutions need to develop additional services to help graduates of academic studies begin their careers.