AmCham Slovakia

Mastercard, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), part of the United Nations system, and the job portal Profesia.sk, is launching the free digital tool ‘Kam ďalej’[Where Next] in Slovakia, which helps people find a specific path to better jobs and professional development. The tool compares people’s skills and experience with the needs of the Slovak labour market, showing which skills or qualifications, they can acquire and what new job opportunities this could open up for them – across all eight regions of Slovakia.

The Kam ďalej tool responds to a situation where many people in Slovakia are working in roles that do not match their qualifications or experience. This is particularly true for workers from countries outside the European Union, who are often qualified but face various barriers in the labour market. According to a recent analysis by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the IOM[1] , this affects up to 48 per cent of them, meaning the Slovak economy is missing out on significant untapped potential. According to the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic, the lifetime added value of a single skilled worker can reach up to 2.8 million euros[2].

“There are many people living and working in Slovakia with talent and experience that currently remain untapped. Yet it is precisely their greater involvement that could be one of the keys to the economy’s further development. The Kam ďalej project shows that by combining data, technology and strong partnerships, we can help people find new opportunities whilst strengthening the entire labour market in Slovakia,” says Jana Lvová, General Manager of Mastercard for Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Based on the information the user enters, the Kam ďalej tool provides an overview of job opportunities in various regions of Slovakia that match their current profile. It also highlights further career options and the path to them – including what preparation may be required and how long it could take. Within a few minutes, users gain a clear overview of their options, including potential earnings, working conditions and how a change of job or region might affect their living costs and overall quality of life.

The Kam ďalej project is based on collaboration between three partners. Mastercard provides anonymised and aggregated data on consumer behaviour and technological expertise, and helps place career decisions within a broader economic context and the standard of living in individual regions. IOM contributes in-depth knowledge of working with migrants and their integration into the labour market, whilst Profesia.sk provides unique data on the labour market and demand for professions.

“There are many people from abroad on the Slovak labour market today who have the qualifications, experience and desire to work, but often cannot fully realise their potential due to various barriers. The ‘Kam ďalej’ tool can help them better navigate job opportunities and show them specific steps that will enable them to fully develop their potential in Slovakia,” says Valon Halimi, Head of the IOM Mission in Slovakia.

“Labour market data has long shown that there is a shortage of skilled workers in many sectors in Slovakia, particularly in healthcare, logistics and IT. At the same time, we are seeing a pay gap of around 16 per cent between men and women. The Kam ďalej tool helps to connect these employer needs with the potential of people who want to take their careers to the next level,” adds Patrícia Valachovičová, Communications and Strategic Partnerships Manager at Profesia.sk.

The tool is available on the website www.kamdalej.sk completely free of charge.

Mastercard has long supported the economy and business

The mismatch between workers’ qualifications and the needs of the labour market affects not only Slovakia but the whole of Europe. In 2024, almost 40 per cent of non-EU citizens working in European Union countries were employed in roles below their level of qualification, whilst among citizens of individual European countries this proportion was only around 21 per cent[3].

At the same time, Slovak companies have long faced a shortage of workers – according to the Institute for Financial Policy, Slovakia could be short of up to 105,000 employees, particularly in sectors such as IT and telecommunications, healthcare, construction, industry and services[4].

In the Kam ďalej project, Mastercard is using its expertise in data, technology and partnerships to help match people’s skills with the real needs of the economy. It is thus confirming its role as a technology partner that translates global experience and data into practical solutions for local communities and economies, thereby helping local people and businesses.

Kam ďalej is yet another digital project aimed at supporting economic development and entrepreneurship created and launched by Mastercard. Another highly successful and award winning example is the Gdzie zamieszkać? (Where to Settle), which, following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, helped refugees find suitable temporary accommodation with the possibility of employment in Poland, or the Kde začať podnikať tool, which helps entrepreneurs in Slovakia and the Czech Republic find the best locations for setting up businesses in various sectors.

About Mastercard

Mastercard supports economic performance and empowers people in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Together with its customers, Mastercard is building a sustainable economy in which everyone can thrive. The company supports a wide range of digital payment options that ensure secure, simple and smart transactions accessible to everyone. The interconnection of Mastercard’s technologies, innovations, partnerships and networks creates a unique set of products and services that enable people, businesses and public authorities to fulfil their full potential.

www.mastercard.com