Croatian school launches three-year handyman course amid growing demand for practical skills

16 June 2026 – A vocational school in the Croatian city of Šibenik will introduce a new three-year training programme for handymen and maintenance workers from the next academic year, responding to increasing demand for skilled workers across Croatia.

The new course will be offered by the Industrial-Craft School in Šibenik, which plans to enrol eight students in its first intake, HRT reported.

School officials say the programme has been developed in response to a shortage of versatile maintenance workers, who are increasingly sought after by both public institutions and private employers.

Handymen are responsible for a wide range of repair and maintenance tasks, from replacing electrical sockets and switches to fixing locks, repairing lighting and assembling furniture.

Demand for such workers has grown steadily in recent years, while employers often report difficulties in finding qualified staff.

According to the school’s headmaster, Zoran Živković, nearly all public and private institutions have positions for maintenance workers and caretakers within their organisational structures, making the profession an attractive career option for young people.

Students enrolled in the programme will gain practical experience through placements in hospitals, hotels, municipalities and other institutions.

The initiative comes as vocational education continues to attract increasing interest among pupils seeking practical skills and strong employment prospects.

As a Regional Centre of Competence, the school is also introducing another new programme focused on emerging technologies. From the upcoming school year, students will be able to enrol in a four-year course for 3D Technology Technicians.

Mirjana Škugor, head of the Regional Centre of Competence Ars Mechanica, said labour market demand for 3D technologies was one of the key reasons behind the introduction of the new programme.

The latest additions reflect broader trends in Croatia’s labour market, where demand remains strong for both practical trades and technical skills. Vocational professions are increasingly being recognised as a reliable pathway to stable employment and long-term career development.