INTELLECTUAL RESOURCES, WORKING CONDITIONS, EDUCATION, CULTURE

 The region can boast of a highly skilled workforce of 15,000 which represents a precious intellectual potential and a foundation for business development.   An increase in the number of highly educated people   is evident, whose knowledge, enthusiasm and their ability to speak   foreign languages (mostly English, but also French, German and Italian) can contribute to successful investments.

Weekly working hours are 40 hours, and the maximum overtime work is 4 hours a day or 8 hours a week.   The minimum break during the working day is 30 minutes, or 45 minutes for employees working more than 10 hours.   The minimum weekend break is 24 hours, and the minimum annual leave is 20 days.   The maximum paid leave is 5 days during one calendar year.   The average monthly income in the region is:  

GROSS – 320 EUR

                                                                                       NET-   218 EUR

   Source: Republic Bureau of Statistics (August 2006)

In the territory, 28 secondary schools operate, 10 in the territory of the Kolubara district, and 18 in the territory of the Macva district. There are four grammar schools, providing general education, two art schools (music and arts and crafts), and secondary schools providing education and training for the engineering occupation.

As regards higher education, there are three schools providing education in the sphere of economics, agriculture and chemical engineering, which are all aligned with the new legislation governing higher education.   Several departments of private faculties, whose headquarters are outside the region (in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Zrenjanin), operate in the region.

Cultural institutions in the territory include museums in three regional centers, Valjevo, Sabac, Loznica and specific museum displays within tourist sites in Tršic and Brankovina, and several community cultural centers which pursue set programs.

The theatrical art in this region is traditionally non-professional, except Sabac which has a professional theatre, while Valjevo and Loznica have amateur societies with a long-standing tradition that approaches professionalism.