Skills for the Labour Market 2026: training support in Slovakia for employed and unemployed people

In 2026, Slovakia’s national project Skills for the Labour Market offers a practical route to improve IT, office, management or professional skills with Labour Office support. If you remember older initiatives such as “Don’t lose your job - educate yourself”, the current rules should be checked under the official Skills for the Labour Market announcements.

The safe approach is simple: choose relevant training, submit the application to the Labour Office in time, and start only after approval. The contribution is not automatic; the current official announcement, available funding and the Labour Office decision are decisive.

What the 2026 announcements say

ÚPSVaR publishes separate rules for registered unemployed jobseekers and people interested in employment. The announcements are effective from 1 April 2026 and state that applications may be submitted until August 2027.

The key practical deadline is earlier: the application must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days before the course starts. Training that has already started or finished before the application is submitted generally cannot be treated as supported training retrospectively.

Two routes: ZoZ and UoZ

ZoZ - person interested in employment

ZoZ is the route for someone who wants to strengthen employability or change direction but is not registered as an unemployed jobseeker. In practice, this often means an employed person who wants to add digital, office or professional skills. Registration as a person interested in employment at the Labour Office is required.

For ZoZ, the announcement covers primarily the course fee, exam or certificate. Necessary expenses such as travel, meals or accommodation are not listed as eligible under this route.

UoZ - registered unemployed jobseeker

UoZ is the route for people registered with the Labour Office as unemployed jobseekers. In addition to course fees, exams and certificates, the announcement may also include a flat-rate contribution for necessary expenses connected with retraining.

How to proceed safely

1. Choose training with a clear work-related purpose: Excel, Word, Power BI, Python with AI, Cisco, graphics, AutoCAD, databases, online marketing or management skills.
2. Check whether your situation belongs under ZoZ or UoZ. Your current Labour Office status matters.
3. Prepare the application and submit it to the competent Labour Office no later than 30 calendar days before the course starts.
4. Start the course only after approval, so that there is no problem with recognising the costs.

Are you employed or currently unemployed?

If you are employed, self-employed or want to improve skills while working, see the ZoZ route: Skills for the Labour Market courses for ZoZ.

If you are registered with the Labour Office as an unemployed jobseeker, see the UoZ route: Skills for the Labour Market courses for UoZ.

Before applying, always verify the current conditions in the official ÚPSVaR information for people interested in employment and registered unemployed jobseekers.