From practical training to their own business: Young programmers founded their own company

“Believing in yourself is important, but it’s not enough for business success. You need concrete support from the business sector — someone to motivate and guide you along the way. We received that through the Prilike programme”, says Aleksa Čović, describing the experience that helped him and Marko Šćepanović establish their own IT company.

The Prilike programme, implemented by UNICEF Montenegro with financial support from the TUI Care Foundation, enables young people to gain practical training in real work environments, receive career counseling, and connect with employers. Its goal is to ease young people’s transition into the labour market and encourage them to build their professional future independently.

“I wanted to see what work in a company is really like, what real projects look like, and how the market functions,” says 21-year-old Aleksa, explaining his motivation to apply for Prilike.

For ten days, during three-hour daily sessions, Aleksa and Marko completed their practical training with the support of mentors. They met a team of programmers and saw first-hand what working in an IT company looks like. Based on their interests, mentors guided them through various tasks and exercises. The training concluded with a group project, which Aleksa says helped him realize that he already possessed the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the labour market.

Marko learned about Prilike from his high school teacher. He was drawn by the opportunity for additional education and hands-on experience in his field of interest — web programming. During the programme, through mentoring, he mastered both basic and advanced programming concepts.

“Practical knowledge is the most important thing. The right opportunity came along — and we seized it. The skills we gained through Prilike helped us step confidently into the world of IT business. Not just because of what we learned, but because of the support and motivation we received from people who recognized our potential,” said Marko.

Today, Aleksa and Marko run an IT company that develops innovative digital solutions for both local and international markets. Their company collaborates with the University of Montenegro and the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation on digital transformation projects.

Career counseling for more confident decisions

In addition to practical training, the Prilike programme also includes career counseling – often the first opportunity for young people to discuss their dilemmas with professionals. Career mentor Bojana Perović explains that this process helps young people build confidence and a sense of security.

“Young people often think they’re not ready. But readiness isn’t a destination – it’s a decision. We help them learn how to think about themselves and their professional journey, rather than giving them ready-made answers. Once they learn how to think, it becomes much easier to find the career path that suits them best,” she says.

Bojana adds that Prilike provides a space where young people can ask questions, experiment, and learn from the experiences of others.

“The example of Aleksa and Marko proves that an idea, with the right support, can become reality. We are proud of them. I’m sure that young people see their success as permission to try, to dare, to create the career they’ve imagined for themselves. Their success motivates others and shows that anything is possible,” she emphasized.

According to World Bank data, about 26% of young people in Montenegro are unemployed, and as many as 45% of university graduates report that their qualifications do not match job requirements.

The share of those who are neither in school, nor employed, nor in training (the NEET category) is around 18%, almost twice the EU average. These challenges are also addressed in the new Education Reform Strategy 2025–2035, which focuses on work-based learning and the development of 21st-century skills.

UNICEF consistently highlights the importance of practical training and career counseling as key tools for empowering young people and facilitating their inclusion in the labour market. Since the launch of the TUI Academy – Prilike programme in 2023, more than 1,900 young people have received support. Over 200 companies, civil society organizations, and 12 schools from Montenegro are involved in providing training, mentorship, and counseling. Hundreds of young people have benefited from individual and group career counseling, gaining experiences that help them start their professional journeys.