The Slovak labor market faces a critical challenge: brain drain – the loss of young talents. The departure of highly qualified and young people abroad is no longer just a social issue but primarily an economic problem. For us, as a recruitment agency, this means the loss of key human capital, which is essential for the growth of our clients and the overall competitiveness of the country. This article analyzes the main causes of this trend and presents strategic steps we are taking to address the acute talent shortage.
Why are key talents leaving Slovakia?
Identifying the root causes is essential for creating an effective talent retention strategy. From the labor market and HR perspective, the dominant factors are:
- Disparity in compensation and living standards – A fundamental factor is financial remuneration. Young professionals perceive that their expertise and skills are valued significantly higher abroad. This salary disparity, combined with often limited career growth opportunities and lower living standards in certain regions, motivates ambitious candidates to move to Western markets. For a recruitment agency, this is direct competition. It’s also important to note the higher cost of living, not just salaries.
- Mismatch between education and business needs – The persistent gap between graduate profiles and the real requirements of companies is critical. Slovak educational institutions often cannot respond quickly enough to the demand for digital skills, technical competencies, financial literacy, and critical thinking. As a result, companies experience a shortage of qualified workforce, while potential employees leave to seek practical experience that prepares them for the modern world of work.
- Lack of opportunities for innovation and growth – The greatest risk is the loss of innovative potential. Talents are not just looking for a job but for perspective. If Slovakia does not offer a sufficient number of meaningful positions, space for R&D (Research and Development), and opportunities to be part of transformative projects, they will move to places where they feel they are a significant part of progress.
We don’t just talk about values: Active support for the Junior Achievement Slovakia initiative
As a recruitment agency, we cannot simply watch talent drain passively. Our strategic mission is to connect talent with opportunities. For this reason, we have decided to actively support initiatives that change the system at its very root.
We are a proud partner and supporter of the conference “Connecting Education with Business,” organized by Junior Achievement (JA) Slovakia in Košice on November 11–12, 2025. Our involvement is not just about CSR but a strategic investment in the future workforce and the region’s economy.
Goals of our support: Strengthening the talent ecosystem
Through our support of the conference, we help provide a key platform where essential dialogue and networking connections take place:
- Knowledge transfer: We enable HR leaders, managers, and educators to meet at the conference. In doing so, we indirectly contribute to integrating current labor market demands and business trends into educational programs.
- Development of key competencies: We support the dissemination of JA Slovakia’s ideas and programs that foster entrepreneurial thinking and financial literacy – essential skills for the 21st-century economy. These are precisely the qualities we seek in top talents for our clients.
- Creating a local perspective: We help highlight attractive job opportunities and career paths within Slovakia. The conference serves as proof that career success is achievable at home when paired with relevant education and personal development.
Talent Solutions for Slovakia: The Path to Restoring Competitiveness
For a recruitment agency, talent is the main asset. Our support of Junior Achievement is part of a broader strategy:
- Minimizing brain drain: Creating local opportunities for development.
- Maximizing competencies: Ensuring that graduates are job-ready and possess innovative thinking.
We believe that by proactively working to connect education and the labor market and supporting key partners, we can reverse the trend of talent drain. Only then will we continue to successfully match top talents with the best companies in Slovakia.
