The unemployment rate in Herceg Novi is among the lowest in Montenegro, with only 320 people currently registered at the Employment Bureau. Around 80 of them are university graduates who have applied for the professional training program.
The unemployment rate in the coastal town has reached a historic low of just 1.7 percent, indicating a shortage of workers across various sectors. Of the 320 registered unemployed individuals, 196 are women, 72 are persons with disabilities, and 121 hold a university degree.
Many young graduates are now applying for the professional training program, which means the actual number of unemployed people will soon drop further once around 80 interns begin their placements.
Zoran Lučić, head of the Employment Bureau, told Radio Montenegro that the town has been facing a long-term shortage of workers across multiple fields.
“We lack workers in hospitality, tourism, and the education sector — especially teachers for practical classes, pedagogues, and professors of physics and mathematics. These are the most in-demand professions,” Lučić said.
He added that there is also a shortage of waiters, cooks, and construction workers, and employers are finding various ways to cope with the deficit.
The Employment Agency is trying to support employers through retraining programs and by involving the local community.
“These are the areas we continuously work on, and all these programs and active employment measures are focused on that goal,” Lučić noted.
Among unemployed university graduates, the largest groups are economists, lawyers, physiotherapists, and tourism managers. However, most of them are young people who have only recently completed their studies and are currently applying for professional training.
After completing their internships, most find employment in their field. Those who do not either continue their education or shift to professions that are currently in high demand.
