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Mirko Habijanec
Episode · #373

RITAM POSLA Mirko Habijanec

Guest Mirko HabijanecHosted by Lidija KiselyakMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

In an industry often perceived as purely transactional, Mirko Habijanec, CEO of Radnik, presents a different model for sustained success. His company, a 73-year-old construction firm from Križevci, has not only weathered decades of economic shifts but thrived by prioritizing people and long-term development over quick gains. Habijanec’s approach to everything from employee benefits to union relations to vocational training challenges conventional wisdom, revealing a deeply human-centered strategy for a capital-intensive business. This conversation explores how a commitment to employee welfare, strategic partnerships, and a clear-eyed view of industry challenges can build resilience and recognition. Habijanec’s experience exposes the systemic issues in education and policy that hinder skilled trades, while offering a blueprint for how businesses can create their own solutions. Readers will walk away with a refreshed perspective on the true drivers of longevity and impact in any industry.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Mirko Habijanec attributes Radnik's 73-year survival and successful privatization not to "anyone's enrichment," but to a foundation built on "employees and development." Longevity in business, especially across economic shifts, comes from reinvesting in people rather than prioritizing immediate gains.
02
Radnik provides housing loans, medical assistance, health holidays, and stipends across all education levels. These aren't just perks; they are strategic investments in human capital, securing a stable and skilled workforce in an industry where talent is scarce.
03
Where employer associations and unions once viewed each other as "opposing sides," Mirko Habijanec says they now function as "partners" in collective bargaining. This shift from confrontation to collaboration is essential for jointly addressing industry challenges and ensuring mutual progress.
04
The Ministry remains "quite deaf" to the needs of dual education, Mirko Habijanec notes, focusing on small workshops when construction demands thousands of square meters, cranes, and real-world demonstrations. Effective vocational training requires an understanding of industrial scale and practical application, not just theoretical models.
05
Mirko Habijanec argues that basic salaries for skilled construction workers should be 6,000 to 7,000 kuna, 30-50% higher than other professions, rejecting any practice of paying part of the salary "under the table." Legal, competitive compensation is crucial for attracting and retaining talent and for validating the value of the trade.
06
Society often mischaracterizes construction as solely "physical labor," yet Mirko Habijanec states Radnik no longer needs "unqualified physical laborers." Modern construction demands "working with your head," highlighting a critical shift toward a more skilled, knowledge-intensive workforce.
07
Given Croatia's seismic activity, Mirko Habijanec stresses that structural integrity capable of withstanding 7-8 Richter must be prioritized over "energy renovation." The first focus of any reconstruction should always be on safeguarding lives through robust building, not just improving energy efficiency.
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