About
The Chamber of Craft Skopje is established on 24 December 1932 in the Educational Center, with territorial jurisdiction over the Vardar Banovina. Throughout its 92-year history, the forms of organizational structure have evolved. It existed as a chamber, and immediately after the liberation as an association of craftsmen, only to later, during the self-management period, once again carried the name “chamber.” In 1970, a Permanent Municipal Conference of Independent Craftsmen was established. At the beginning of 1980, an Association of Working People Performing Economic Activities with Their Own Labor Using Assets Owned by the Citizens of the City of Skopje was established. Within the association, 23 sections were established and operated. Overall, these activities were aimed at creating better working conditions, organizing and procuring scarce raw materials and supplies, business premises, and setting standards and prices for products and services within the sector. In this way, the sections guided the work of the association, achieving good results in resolving many issues. The beginning of the construction of the Craftsmen’s House dates back to 1988. It is the result of the Skopje craftsmen’s solidarity contributions, self-contributions, and donations for construction that offers new development opportunities not only for small enterprises. The current organizational structure of craftsmanship in Skopje began immediately with the independence of the Macedonian state. Since 1992, it has carried the name Association of Craftsmen and Other Independent Economic Operators of the City of Skopje. After 72 years of existence, with the adoption of the Law on the Performance of Craft Activity, which entered into force on 24 September 2004, the existing Association was transformed again into the Chamber of Craft Skopje.
The Chamber of Craft Skopje is an autonomous, independent, non-governmental, and non-profit association of craftsmen in the City of Skopje, organized to serve as a reliable partner in creating favorable conditions and an environment for the development and advancement of the craft sector. Established in 1932, the Chamber has existed for 92 years, representing the interests and the voice of craftsmen across the Skopje region. With the adoption of the Law on Craft Activity in December 2005, the Chamber became a professional business association responsible for coordinating, representing, and protecting the interests of its members. The Chamber of Craft Skopje works actively to improve the system of vocational education and training (VET), striving to ensure that students acquire formal vocational qualifications aligned with labor market needs through strong cooperation between schools and employers. The Educational Center for Craft Occupations, operating within the Chamber, aims to increase youth employment and self-employment in the craft sector through a systemic approach focused on: market-oriented non-formal skills training, formal vocational education and training and improved legislation governing both formal and non-formal VET. This creates a foundation for greater employability opportunities for young people. The Chamber of Craft Skopje is a verified institution by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of North Macedonia authorized to conduct master craftsman examinations at V-B level in the National Qualifications Framework. It is also an authorized provider of Mentor Examinations in cooperation with the Center for Vocational Education and Training (VET Center) for employers involved in the practical training of students in vocational secondary education for craft occupations. With the adoption of the Law on Craft Activity in 2005, the Chamber received public authorization to maintain the Official Crafts Register. Through the introduction of the one-stop-shop system for craft registration (2005–present), craftsmen receive full support—obtaining all necessary business registration documents in one place, along with free business start-up counseling and assistance in securing required work permits. For its members, the Chamber organizes professional seminars enabling craftsmen to acquire new skills from domestic and international experts. Through all its activities and initiatives, the Chamber of Craft Skopje plays a significant role in improving the public image of craftsmanship and promoting the opportunities offered by the craft sector among young people.
The mission of the Chamber of Craft Skopje is to ensure high-quality craftsmanship through well-educated and professionally trained craftsmen with knowledge, competencies, and skills who provide quality craft products and services in line with labor market needs, to contribute to increasing the employment rate and to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.
Craftsmanship to become recognizable through its prosperous, market-oriented, and innovative craft businesses, where young people successfully develop their careers side by side with their craftsmen.
Skopje, st Bitbazarska #12 1200 North Macedonia
Tel: 023237850, 078312141
Email: info@zkomora.com.mk