USAID’s Business Ecosystem Project and FX3X will collaborate on increasing employment in the VFX and CG animation careers and developing the two trades. The Project and the company will co-finance a training program for visual effects and digital animation which will help its participants find employment in this rapidly growing industry.

"The goal of this joint initiative is to increase employment in the country by bridging the gap between the professional profiles companies are searching for and the ones available on the market. The demand for animators and visual effects artists is high and will continue to grow, so we must ensure that those interested in these creative careers, especially young people, have ample opportunities to learn and acquire the skills they need to get started," said Mirjana Makedonska, Chief of Party of USAID’s Business Ecosystem Project.

BEP and FX3X will also work together on organizing promotional workshops in order to popularize these promising occupations among high school students.

Kristijan Danilovski, co-founder and managing director at FX3X, explained why the company decided to partner with USAID on this initiative. "We are constantly investing in the development of our employees, but we must also invest in the development of those who may become our employees in the future, because the growth of our company depends heavily on the availability of skilled labor. Unfortunately, the formal education process is not sufficient for meeting the needs of our industry. That is why we believe that the private sector can fill the education gap through this type of training for employment, which will benefit not only individual companies but the entire economy. "

The partnership between USAID and FX3X dates back to 2004, when USAID supported FX3X in deploying a curriculum for basic digital animation education in high schools throughout the country. Additionally, USAID supported the renovation and equipping of the facilities where the company still operates through its support for the Digital Media Park. USAID also collaborated with FX3X on business development, linkages with foreign markets, and on providing training to students looking to enter the industry.

The USAID Business Ecosystem Project is a five-year project (2017-2021) supporting workforce development by co-financing training for employment for in-demand professional profiles with lead companies. FX3X is a leading animation, visual effects and postproduction company with a portfolio that includes numerous Hollywood blockbusters and Oscar winners, as well as many domestically produces movies, such as the highly acclaimed documentary Honeyland.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $640 million in North Macedonia since 1993. USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. For more information visit https://www.usaid.gov/north-macedonia and USAID’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/USAIDNorthMacedonia/.