My First Salary – The First Step in Building a Successful Career

Within the project called “My first salary” organized by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, 10,000 young people, who have finished high school or university, will have the opportunity to gain the first work experience, apply the acquired knowledge and develop professional skills from interested employers who have applied for their participation in the program. According to the available information, a great number of employers from different sectors responded to the call, as a result of which the Public Call was modified – deadlines have been extended and new criteria have been added for forming the final list of selected employers and candidates.

The call for the application of candidates is still open and a candidate who meets the conditions for participation in the program can apply for it no later than 8th of November 2020.

What is the significance of this program?

The program enables young people to find their first job easier and gain work experience in the profession for which they have acquired qualifications and on the other hand it encourages employers to provide the opportunity to the qualified but inexperienced people and to invest their knowledge and experience in them. During the nine-month period of program realization, during which no employment will be established with the selected employer, the National Employment Service will pay the total monthly amount of 20,000.00 dinars for candidates with high school education and 24,000.00 dinars for candidates with completed university. In addition, the National Employment Service will calculate and pay contributions in case of injuries at work and occupational diseases during the program.

What conditions candidates must meet?

The conditions that candidates must meet are consolidated and published in the Public Call for the implementation of the employment incentive program “My first salary”, which was announced by the National Employment Service. In regard to this, candidates must be on the register of unemployed person of the National Employment Service, have up to 30 years of age, have completed high school or college. The right to participate in the program have candidates without work experience or candidates whose work experience is less than 9 months and who were not employed in the period of 6 months before submitting the application by the selected employer.

How to apply for the program?

Registration of candidates is done electronically. In order for a user to apply as a candidate on the My First Salary portal, it is necessary to create a user account on the eUprava portal. Registration can be done by any of three alternative ways: username and password, two-factor authentication or a qualified electronic certificate. Further application goes through the portal www.mojaprvaplata.gov.rs

After the candidates edit the profile on the created user account, by entering information in 4 segments: personal data, education, skills and work experience, they can apply for one of the advertised positions.

Selection process of candidates, by the employer, will take place in the period from 8th October to 15th November 2020. The employer selects the candidate through the portal, by pressing the “Approve” button, which sends the candidate an offer for the approved position via e-mail. The candidate can (but does not have to) accept the submitted offer, also through the portal. After completing the processes of selection, National Employment Service will form a final list of selected employers and candidatesand in the period from 28th November to 14th December 2020, the National Employment Service, selected employers and the candidates will conclude a tripartite agreement which regulates mutual rights and obligations. After that, the realization of the program can begin.