Croatia’s job voucher scheme helping unemployed find work

More than 57,000 people in Croatia have taken part in the country’s training voucher scheme since its introduction in 2022, with 81 percent of unemployed participants finding a job within a year of completing their programme.

The figures were highlighted by Vjekoslav Špoljarić, adviser to the Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, during an appearance on HRT’s Studio 4.

The voucher scheme forms part of Croatia’s wider active employment policy measures, which have been implemented in similar forms for around a decade.

The latest set of measures was adopted at the end of last year by the Croatian Employment Service and will remain open throughout most of 2026, depending on the programme.

The policies include financial support for employment, traineeships, work experience programmes, worker training and incentives to retain jobs.

A major focus remains on education and retraining through the voucher system.

Introduced as part of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, the scheme initially focused on skills linked to the green and digital transition.

It has since expanded to include occupations facing labour shortages.

An additional €100 million has been secured through the European Social Fund Plus to support training in deficit professions.

Interest in the programme has been strong. Since its launch, more than 57,000 individuals have enrolled in training programmes, with over 40,000 already completing their courses.

The vouchers are available to both employed and unemployed people. Training costs are fully covered, while unemployed participants also receive travel expenses and financial support for days spent in education.

A significant element of the programme allows individuals without a secondary school qualification to complete their education at the state’s expense. The voucher for completing secondary school is among the most valuable, covering nearly €4,000 in costs.

Through the “Job Plus” measure, participants can also be employed part-time for up to two years while completing their education.

Despite falling unemployment levels in Croatia, the employment register is still largely made up of vulnerable groups, including people over 50, individuals with disabilities and those with lower levels of education.

Officials say the combination of employment incentives and the voucher training system is helping these groups integrate into the labour market.

The programme also reflects changing labour market needs. Training options now range from construction trades such as tiling and machinery operation to digital skills and programming.

Demand is particularly rising ahead of the summer tourism season. Last July, Croatia recorded 1.788 million insured workers, with around 147,000–148,000 employed in tourism and hospitality.

During the same period, nearly 25,000 vacancies were advertised in tourism, with about 18,000 positions filled by jobseekers registered with the employment service.

Foreign workers account for roughly a quarter of employees in tourism and hospitality, meaning Croatian workers still make up the majority of the sector’s workforce.